- April 29, 2024
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Stephen DeAugustino. Courtesy photo
Could you have imagined taking in Rio Olympics live – especially as an American – where after every other event, one of your own was standing tall on the podium, getting the national anthem played in their honor? Well, for FPC alum Stephen DeAugustino, he doesn’t have to imagine it – he lived it.
Acting as a production associate with NBC, DeAugustino assisted producers with putting together feature stories. He helped produce edits, find music, research interesting story plugs, find video, go on video shoots, help write scripts and come up with story ideas, to name a few.
While simply doing his job, he witnessed the magic of Simone Biles in a gymnastic arena, the wonder of Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky in a swimming pool, the dominance of our basketball teams on the court, and many others spring to the international spotlight.
But, as a former high school and college wrestler, you know what meant the most to him – what took place on that competition mat.
“Wrestling is a huge part of my life, so to be able to go and be an onsite field producer for that was incredible,” DeAugustino said. “We got some interviews with Helen Maroulis, who was the first American female wrestler to ever win Olympic gold, and Jordan Burroughs, after he lost his final match and missed the medal stand. Each, on polar opposites of the emotional spectrum, was surreal getting those interviews.”
Outside of his work, DeAugustino says his best experience was, of course, being there to see Phelps' last race.
Prior to the Olympics, the biggest event he had ever covered was the 2014 PGA Championship that Rory McIlroy won. When asked how the two compared, DeAugustino said, “I don't think there's anything comparable to the Olympics. The scale and magnitude of the production and the event itself is nothing like I've experienced, and I'm not sure there isn’t anything bigger.”
Talk about a dream job…
