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Cassandra Lazo (B.F.A. ’22) is this week’s featured alum in our new Alumni Spotlight series for the This Week at Meadows e-newsletter. Each week, a different Meadows alum will be highlighted for their accomplishments post-graduation.

The fast-paced, high-stakes environment of live sports broadcasting demands precision, creativity, and the ability to adapt on the fly, skills that Cassandra Lazo first began honing at Meadows. A graduate of the Division of Film & Media Arts, Lazo is now an Associate Producer for Sunday Night Football en Español, where her work behind the camera helps bring one of America’s most popular sports to Spanish-speaking audiences nationwide.

“Meadows played a significant role in shaping my career by providing me with an education that I continue to draw from in my work,” says Lazo, whose team at Sunday Night Football en Español received multiple Emmy nominations this year. “Although I studied Film & Media Arts, many of the skills I gained have translated directly into my role in sports live broadcasting.”

In the film program, Lazo developed a passion for gaffing, often becoming the go-to person when a shot needed to be lit. That hands-on technical training translates directly to her current role, whether she’s suggesting lighting adjustments to a cameraman during a player interview, reframing shots to enhance visual quality or handling the initial edit of interview sequences. The editing classes she took at Meadows, especially learning Avid, also gave her a professional edge and it is still her primary editing software today.

Lazo worked behind the scenes on an interview with LA Chargers player Tuli Tuipulotu. 

In addition to the hands-on experience and strong technical foundation in filmmaking, the adaptability she learned at Meadows has also proven invaluable in Lazo’s career. While in the film program, the COVID-19 pandemic struck forcing students to find new and inventive ways to continue their work.  

“Despite the challenges, Meadows continued to emphasize creativity and problem-solving, encouraging us to find innovative ways to produce work under restrictions,” she recalls. “Whether it was filming with limited crews, using remote collaboration tools, or shifting focus to post-production and virtual storytelling, I developed skills that became especially relevant to the evolving industry.”

Lazo worked with Telemundo Deportes hosts Miguel Gurwitz (left), Ariana Figuera (middle), Rolando Cantú (right) at Super Bowl LIX.

In her first year at Sunday Night Football en Español, Lazo served as EVS Producer, creating highlight packages and tactical analysis segments for broadcasts. She built pre-game features using PIERO by Ross Video, collaborated with Vizrt for high-quality visual breakdowns, and ensured that on-air talent had compelling, clear analysis to share with viewers. By her second year, she was promoted to Sideline Producer—a role that had her traveling to every game, rain or shine. From conducting player interviews to coordinating sideline operations and securing post-game access with NFL teams, Lazo was at the center of the action every week.

And she wants current students to know that they can do it too. Her advice is simple: aim high.

“Apply for the job that feels out of reach—seriously, go for it. When I applied to be a Production Assistant at NBC Sports, I didn’t check every box on the job description, but I had a deep knowledge of sports and the confidence that my education had prepared me for the challenge. That confidence set me apart, unlocked opportunities I never dreamed of and paved the way to my first Emmy.”