SVG Students To Watch: Sophie Fowler, University of Oregon

The Portland product has honed her skills as a producer, director, and TD at Quack Video

In the live–sports-video industry, the future is bright. Our SVG Students To Watch series highlights the next generation of live–sports-production professionals. Across campuses nationwide, students are playing a pivotal role in bringing their schools’ games to fans — from running cameras and graphics to sitting in the producer’s or director’s chair and everything in between. This series shines a light on the young talent making an impact today and preparing to shape the future of sports-video production.

Sophie Fowler

College: University of Oregon
Academic Year: Senior
Hometown: Portland, OR
Roles: Producer, Director, Technical Director

What drew you to live sports production, and how did you get started?
I applied with no previous knowledge of how anything in sports production works, but I knew how to use a camera. When I came in to shadow, just watching the control room and seeing how things operated drew me into live sports production. I’ve played and watched sports all my life, and to work a different aspect of it drew me to continuously sign up to work, learn, and grow in sports production.

Fowler works on many Quack Video shows as producer, director, or technical director, but she’s also well-trained on running a handheld camera. (Photos: Sophie Fowler)

Are there any “aha moments” when you realized you really loved a particular role?
I’ve had so many aha moments during my time working in sports production. One of the big ones I can think of was when I worked softball in the spring. We had double- and triple-headers that we needed to cover and would be in the control room for 12 or more hours. However, I would leave every day ready to come back. Even in the long hours, I was so happy to be working.

When I was younger, I just wanted a career where I would be excited to work, and I felt that while working those long hours during spring sports. That made me realize how much I want a career in sports production. I also remember having a big aha moment while I was TDing basketball last year. TDing is a perfect balance of stress, excitement, and thrill where I left every show eager to learn more.

Fowler, who grew up playing volleyball, has had the opportunity to work the NCAA Volleyball Championship when the Ducks women’s team hosted a regional tourney in each of the past three years.

What has been your favorite project or game that you’ve worked on, and why?
One of my favorite games was a volleyball game that I produced earlier this year. I remember leaving the game just feeling very proud of the work that I helped produce and helped organize with my announcers. Overall, I thought it was a great show with a good storyline, and I’m very proud of how my team did during that production.

What’s the most challenging aspect of working in live sports production as a student?
One of the most challenging aspects is balancing everything with school. I try to work as much as I can because I love it, but, to have a good show, you must start preparing early on and thinking of storylines. It has been tough to balance at times. I’ve gotten better at balancing everything, but, at the beginning, it was rough to find a time for schoolwork, seeing friends, and work in sports production.

What are your career aspirations after graduation?
I am hoping to work in sports-broadcast production. I feel like I’ve found a passion working in sports production as an undergraduate at University of Oregon. I want to continue my work in sports production in some aspect after I graduate.

Fowler sat in the TD chair throughout the 2025 Oregon Football regular season, switching the videoboard show at Autzen Stadium.

What advice would you give to your freshman self?
It’s okay to make a mistake as long as you don’t make the same mistake twice. Mistakes suck, but it helps you become better in the role you’re working and a better teammate. If you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, never be afraid of asking questions even if you think they’re “stupid.” In live sports production, you can’t control everything, so make sure you know as much as you can about the role that you are about to do.

If you run video production at a college athletic department and would like to recommend a standout student from your crew to be featured in SVG Students To Watch, please email SVG Director of Digital Brandon Costa at brandon@sportsvideo.org.