Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Preparations are continuing on the Virginia Tech campus to ensure the Hokies are ready for the launch of the ACC Network in 2019.
ESPN recently informed the Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock that 2011 Virginia Tech graduate, Jacob Ridgway, is joining the ESPN/ACC Network programming team. Ridgway has served seven years with ESPN in its production department, as well as its management operations team.
The Roanoke native earned a degree in Communication – Electronic & Print Journalism from Tech and credits the Virginia Tech Department of Communication with helping introduce him to ESPN during his time as an undergraduate in Blacksburg.
"I owe a big 'thank you' to the Department of Communication for linking me with ESPN," Ridgway said. "Thanks to their support, I worked as a utility for select football and basketball games when ESPN visited campus. I was honored to receive the Communication Department award for most outstanding Electronic and Print Journalism student in 2011 and I'm excited about this new opportunity with ACC Network."
A member of Virginia Tech's Honors College, Ridgway was part of a group of students who created their own college football class that helped teach other students about the history, tradition and success of the Hokies' football program.
A graduate of Northside High School in Roanoke, Ridgway served internships with Greg Roberts at News/Talk 960-AM, WDBJ-TV, the ACC and ESPN Blacksburg radio before accepting an internship with ESPN in the spring of 2011.
"My passion for Virginia Tech and its successful athletic programs were prominent parts of my life beginning in my childhood," Ridgway added. "Some of my proudest moments cheering on the Hokies were our women's basketball NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in the '98-99 season and the football program's national title game appearance following the 1999 campaign."
In addition to opportunities for established professionals in the communications field, it is anticipated that, by the time the ACC Network launches in August 2019, the number of student workers employed by HokieVision will increase from 20 to approximately 100.
Two former Virginia Tech students already have accepted full-time positions, as HokieVision continues its preparations for the ACC Network to become fully operational. Eric Frey serves as senior director of ACC Network productions beginning in April. A 2007 Virginia Tech graduate school alum, Frey oversees all facets of Virginia Tech's ACC Network expansion and operations. He returned to HokieVision after serving in the video production field at four different Power 5 schools over the past 12 years. Most recently, he oversaw SEC Network productions at the University of Arkansas.
Sam Jones was named to the position of chief broadcast engineer earlier this year. He is working closely with Brian Walls (senior director, broadcast operations) and Scott Bradshaw (associate director, engineering) to ensure that Virginia Tech is ready for linear broadcasts prior to August 2019.