Communication grad builds his future, earns an internship at ESPN by embracing his love of sports

Carlos Rodriguez feels like his college career at Augusta University has gone by faster than some of the 5,000-meter races he has competed in over the past four-and-a-half years as a member of the men’s track and field team.

“It’s been surreal. It is crazy how fast time has gone by,” said Rodriguez, who is also a member of Augusta University’s cross country team and is graduating with a communication degree this fall. “To be honest, the communication department and my team are the reasons why I came back for one more semester.”

“Having that extra year of eligibility as an athlete and looking at some of the courses offered this fall, those were the reasons why I wasn’t ready to leave yet in the spring,” he added. “I wanted to stay an extra semester this fall.”

Now, Rodriguez’s professional career is taking off. Just a few weeks prior to graduation, he learned he earned a full-time internship position with ESPN as a digital video social content intern starting in January.

“This has been a dream of mine,” Rodriguez said, smiling. “Ever since I was young, I always wanted to work for a company like ESPN, so to say that it’s actually happening is crazy to even think about.”

Rodriguez, a native of Manhattan, New York, moved to the Augusta area when he was in the seventh grade. He graduated from Grovetown High School, where he lettered in cross country, track and basketball.

“My dad is in the military, and he was constantly going to different areas, while we stayed in New York,” Rodriguez said. “But our move to the Augusta area was more like a permanent move, so we decided to come with him to Grovetown. That’s what brought me to Augusta University.”

Even in high school, Rodriguez already had a connection with Augusta University and the chair of the Department of Communication, David Bulla, PhD.

“Dr. Bulla was my mentor when I was in high school,” Rodriguez said. “I had a senior project, and I picked him as my mentor because I was interested in sports communication. So, having somebody in the department already that I knew really made me consider coming to Augusta University.”

By the time he was a senior in high school, Rodriguez was also interested in joining the cross country and track teams at Augusta University.

“Actually, I started running really late when I was a senior in high school,” Rodriguez said, laughing. “It is a unique story because most runners have been doing it for years. But I started running just to get in shape for basketball because I also played basketball in high school. Running was just a way I was getting in condition, but I found early success in it.”

When he was accepted to Augusta University, Rodriguez looked into joining the track team.

“I originally walked on to the team, so I wasn’t on scholarship,” he said. “But after progressing, I was able to get on scholarship. I just kept seeing this steady progression, and I just fell in love with being able to reach those goals I set for myself. That’s what kind of kept me in running.”

As with running, Rodriguez challenged himself with his major by trying to learn as many aspects of communication as possible at Augusta University.

“I feel like I’ve gained so many opportunities to serve in various roles here at AU,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve been the sports editor and co-editor-in-chief of the student newspaper. I’ve been able to learn different skills like writing, videography and podcasting. And I’ve interned and I’m currently interning with the Peach Belt Conference. I’ve also had an internship with the AU athletics department, too.”

In addition, Rodriguez has done some videography for SLAM, an online media property with 20-plus social channels covering the NBA, WNBA, college and high school basketball.

“Two years ago, I started my own sports videography business called Crodfilms, where I mainly film basketball games and post highlights on Instagram and TikTok,” Rodriguez said, adding Crodfilms has achieved more than 2 million views on TikTok and Instagram. “And then, from there, I just gained connections and have been able to work for bigger companies like SLAM.”

Rodriguez eventually hopes to seek a master’s degree in sports management and possibly join another college’s track team next fall.

“I’ve been involved in sports all my life, so working in sports management or sports communication is what I’ve always dream of doing,” Rodriguez said. “And because of COVID, I’ve got extra eligibility for running track, so I’m also looking at the possibility of being able to run track and also get my master’s degree in the fall.”

Rodriguez said his entire family, including his younger sister and twin brother, are excited to see him cross the stage and receive his diploma from Augusta University.

“My family is very proud,” Rodriguez said. “I am going to be the first one in my family to graduate from college. So, to be a first-generation student means a lot to me. My family has been 100% supportive of everything I’ve done, whether that’s sports, academics, writing, videography, whatever. Throughout my life, they’ve supported me every step of the way.”