How One UWG Grad Turned a Childhood Dream into a Division I Broadcasting Career Share this page
University of West Georgia students in UWG Productions are applying the theories they learn in the classroom while gaining professional experience by calling live Division I games for ESPN+. For recent graduate Zachary Tafelski, this experience has helped him pursue his dreams in sports broadcasting.
Tafelski arrived at UWG in 2022 as a mass communications student with a sport management minor, drawn by a love of sports that dated back to childhood. One childhood moment that he recalls is sitting in his basement, muting the TV and announcing over whatever game was on. All in all, it was a kid having fun, but it was also the beginning of something.
That instinct got more serious in high school, where an audio-visual elective led to a spot on the school’s morning news program. From there, Tafelski was paired with a broadcast instructor who served as his mentor and guided him throughout the program. “When I started working on the sports side of the news program, he [the broadcast mentor] helped me grow my skills in different areas,” Tafelski said. “I eventually found my niche in front of the camera as a commentator.”
Two years into his time at UWG, the university made the jump to Division I athletics which provided him and other students the opportunity to conduct live broadcasts on ESPN+. While Tafelski contributed to live broadcasting for a multitude of sports including football, volleyball and basketball.
“When I came to UWG in 2022, I never could have anticipated that we would make the jump to Division I just two years later,” Tafelski said. “You’re getting to produce and broadcast for a company that everyone knows. It just makes it feel like a big time.”
The experience has opened doors well beyond Carrollton for Tafelski. Through UWG Productions and connections with his high school mentor, Tafelski has worked as a freelancer for Perfect Game Baseball events and football combines for Rivals, Nike Elite 11 and Under Armour Next – including a recent Nike combine at Buford High School’s brand-new stadium.
“Ultimately, my experience with UWG Productions – particularly as a commentator – will always keep the door open for me to pursue different paths in the real world of sports media,” he said.
As a May 2026 graduate actively job hunting, Tafelski is approaching the next chapter of his life with ambition and resilience – determined to not stay stuck and remaining open to wherever his skills can take him.
“No matter if I ever get to do anything in sports again, I know I’ll always have my years at UWG – getting to call high-level sports action for a D1 school,” he said. “That’s already kind of a dream come true.”