Bringing My Future Into Focus
I’ve always known I wanted to work in sports — I just didn’t know what shape that dream would take. At Susquehanna, I found a place that let me explore everything until I discovered what truly inspired me.
When I arrived on campus, I dove headfirst into broadcasting, calling plays and learning the rhythm of live sports. While I found it exciting, I realized my passion wasn’t in describing the action; it was in capturing the emotion behind it. I started experimenting with video, motion graphics and design, and then suddenly, everything clicked.
I became the creative director for men’s basketball, producing hype videos, recruiting content and game-day edits. Around the same time, I launched my personal brand, Trystan Made It!, on Instagram to share my video and design work. Spending late nights editing and designing was practice for the career I was building in real time.
The support I found at SU was constant. The sports media program gave me room to grow, to fail and to find my voice as a creative. Professors like Dave Kaszuba pushed me to think critically and create intentionally, and their encouragement gave me the confidence to create boldly.
The hands-on experience paid off. I was honored as Susquehanna Athletics’ 2023 Student Media Worker of the Year. The real reward was the trust people placed in me. I was no longer just a student learning the craft; I was part of the team shaping how River Hawk athletics were seen.
Beyond the media room, Susquehanna offered opportunities that expanded my perspective in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I spent three unforgettable weeks in Morocco through the Global Opportunities Program. Immersing myself in a new culture changed the way I see the world and the way I tell stories, a skill that’s been invaluable in my career.
After graduation, I took that foundation to Virginia Commonwealth University, a Division I school in Richmond, where I earned my master’s degree and worked as a graduate assistant for creative content. The pace was fast and demanding — producing highlight reels, social content and graphics for multiple teams — but it refined my creative instincts and taught me how to thrive under pressure.
“The support I found at SU was constant. The sports media program gave me room to grow, to fail and to find my voice as a creative.”
Trystan Layton ’23
In fall 2023, I had the chance to work inside the ropes at a PGA Tour stop in Henrico, Virginia, as a social media intern. Filming for Golf Channel’s The Cut, interviewing players and collaborating with PGA staff on live content confirmed that I could perform at the highest level.
Now, as the assistant director of creative content for women’s basketball at West Virginia University, I lead everything from media day shoots and recruiting content to NIL storytelling and social campaigns. I work directly with players and coaches to elevate our program’s brand and share stories that resonate beyond the court.
If you’re dreaming of a career in sports media, my advice is simple: say yes early and often. Learn everything you can: video, graphics, writing and branding. Don’t be afraid to fail, because that’s where you grow. And never underestimate the power of relationships.
I’m proud to be a Susquehanna graduate. It’s where I built my foundation and found a community that believed in my potential. I’m proof that big dreams can start in small places — as long as you’re willing to chase them.
At Susquehanna, Trystan Layton ’23 was creative director for men’s and women’s basketball teams, capturing video and photo and designing graphics for their social media accounts. While studying sports media, he also was an on-air commentator for several sports, including basketball, lacrosse and track & field, and was a member of the men’s golf team and Association for Women in Sports Media.
