Hands On, On Air

As Jaguar student-athletes compete under the lights, another team is hard at work just a few feet away.  

Camera operators follow every play. Producers monitor live feeds. Commentators call the action while photographers capture the moments that define a season. Every broadcast is planned, produced and executed by students.  

The Jaguar Sports Network (JSN) has become one of Texas A&M University-San Antonio's signature experiential learning opportunities, placing students in the fast-paced world of live sports production. Every home athletic contest becomes more than a game — it becomes a classroom where communication, leadership and teamwork are tested under pressure.  

What started as an idea from communications alumnus Benjamin "Benji" Mendoza BA '24 has grown into a student-run operation that produces live broadcasts, photography, commentary and digital content for Jaguar Athletics. Fans can watch live broadcasts of University games, including men's and women's basketball, soccer and softball, on the official TAMUSA-JSN YouTube channel.   

"The vision was always opportunities, purpose and growth," said Mendoza, who now works for the United Soccer League in Tampa, Florida, as streaming and video manager for its youth and pre-professional leagues. "We believed every voice deserved a stage and every student possessed potential.”  

Mendoza founded the network with a simple goal: create the kind of hands-on opportunities he wished had existed when he was preparing for a career in sports media. Today, that vision continues through the students who step behind the cameras each week.  

On game days, senior Carlos Zavala isn't watching from the stands. Instead, he's tracking the action through his camera lens, searching for the split-second moments that tell the story of a game. Whether documenting a milestone victory or capturing the emotion after the final whistle, every assignment comes with the same expectation to develop a professional-level product on a deadline.  

"The most rewarding part has been the opportunity to continue building my sports photography portfolio," Carlos said. "Each game allows me to gain valuable experience while creating professional-quality work that I can showcase to future employers."  

The vision was always opportunities, purpose and growth. We believed every voice deserved a stage and every student possessed potential.

~ Benjamin "Benji" Mendoza

Carlos said working in live athletics has challenged him to think quickly and adapt to changing situations — experiences that mirror the expectations of the sports media industry.  

"The experience has taught me how to work under pressure and produce quality work in a real-world environment," he said.  

Photography is only one piece of production.  

Behind the scenes, students rotate through camera operation, graphics, replay, commentary, production, and social media, learning each role while relying on one another to keep every broadcast running smoothly.  

As president of Jaguar Sports Network, sophomore communications major Madison Mendez helps coordinate those moving pieces.  

It's important to take on responsibilities and opportunities even when I'm nervous. I've learned it's okay to make mistakes because that's how you grow.

~ Madison Mendez

Whether preparing equipment before tipoff, organizing student crews or stepping behind the microphone as a commentator, no two game days look the same. That variety is intentional. Students aren't confined to a single role — they learn the entire production process.  

"We let everybody rotate their positions throughout JSN," Madison said. "We all help each other out, and we learn from each other."  

The experience has also taught lessons that extend beyond the classroom.  

"It's important to take on responsibilities and opportunities even when I'm nervous," Madison said. "I've learned it's OK to make mistakes because that's how you grow."  

Those moments of growth are exactly what Jaguar Athletics hoped the network would create.  

"The Jaguar Sports Network serves as both a media platform and a learning laboratory," said Darnell Smith, director of athletics.   

Since its launch, the network has evolved from a small student initiative into a polished broadcast operation featuring multi-camera productions, live commentary, replay systems and storytelling that extends beyond the competition itself.  

"The most rewarding part is witnessing students step into roles they never imagined for themselves," Smith said. "Many arrive with little or no production experience, and within a semester they're directing broadcasts, calling games or mentoring new crew members."  

That impact reaches far beyond the broadcast booth.  

Student-athletes gain greater visibility. Families can watch from anywhere in the world. Jaguar Athletics expands its reach across the region. Most importantly, students graduate with professional experience already on their resumes and the confidence that comes from doing meaningful work before entering the workforce.  

For Mendoza, that's always been the measure of success.  

"It means absolutely everything to me to see students continuing to build on something I helped create," he said. "I'm excited to watch what the next generation of JSN will accomplish."