Live from the World Series: Alumna engineers TV broadcasts at major sporting events

Sophie Jaeger ’22, MS ’23, helps turn the action on a playing field into live television. 

As a broadcast engineer with Game Creek Video, she configures and troubleshoots the technical systems that production crews depend on, keeping pictures and sound moving from the venue to the network.

“My job is to put stuff on TV,” Jaeger said. “So when I do live sports, it’s getting everything from the field to the screen.”

Working from mobile production trucks, she connects video, audio, replay, and graphics systems into a functioning broadcast. That includes setting up signal routing, checking formats and synchronization, and coordinating with technical teams and receiving networks. Her responsibilities also include technical oversight of shows and helping train newer engineers.

Her assignments have included the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, and WNBA. Working with MLB Network on a World Series world feed, Jaeger was responsible for transmitting the game to international audiences. She also has been assigned to Miss Universe and FOX’s main World Series game feed for 2026.

Jaeger considers the opportunity to work at these events an honor and a privilege. She views each assignment as a responsibility to give the broadcast the best possible care in every respect. That means protecting the quality of what reaches viewers, helping the crew feel supported, and ensuring the equipment is prepared, maintained, and handled with care throughout the production.

For Jaeger, that kind of engineering draws directly on creativity. 

“For example, any time I help with the video team, that’s creative problem-solving,” she said. 

An eye for the finished broadcast also helps her work with the crew, and understanding what should appear on screen gives the technical decisions a clear purpose.

Her interest in the field grew out of a combination of music and physics, but she was drawn to the technical work that makes entertainment possible.

“I really enjoyed physics and learning how things work, so engineering seemed like the right path for me, but I like the more creative aspect of it,” she said.

At Binghamton, Jaeger earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s in industrial and systems engineering. That education gave her a foundation for understanding the physics behind signals and sound. It also gave her a way to tackle unfamiliar systems methodically as she learned the practical demands of broadcasting on the job.

“I think the best thing Binghamton did was teach me how to learn,” she said. “It gave me confidence in my technical ability, showing me that I could really learn anything.”

Jaeger also credits her professor and mentor, Distinguished Professor Ronald Miles, with helping her develop as an engineer. She recalls how he welcomed her ideas and encouraged her to explore them. His support strengthened her technical ability and her confidence in her own judgment. He shared her excitement as her career progressed and new opportunities arose, and he offered thoughtful, steady advice when she faced uncertainty.

Jaeger places the same value on communication and adaptability. In a live production, knowing when to consult someone with a different area of expertise is part of sound technical judgment. She emphasizes confidence in what she knows, along with an honest understanding of what she still needs to learn.

“Having the humility to admit you don’t know something and being able to ask for help is a vital skill,” she said.

For students considering their own careers, Jaeger encourages that same interest in people and their work. She worked with the Watson Career and Alumni Connections office while at Binghamton, and she advises students to build relationships by learning about careers that interest them and staying in touch.

“Build genuine relationships,” she said. “Find someone whose job is super-interesting and keep in touch with them.”

One industry contact she made during her time at Binghamton, Evan Aaron, has since become a coworker and friend.

“It is a full-circle moment for me because I'm now fortunate enough to work alongside him,” Jaeger said. "He is project-managing the MLB postseason, and he has been guiding me for the National League Championship Series and the World Series. He continues to inspire me today."  

She also encourages students to make the most of their time at the University: “It goes by so fast. Just enjoy every second, and take advantage of every opportunity.”