Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2026 graduates.
There’s something exhilarating about watching your favorite team win a world championship. For Eric Matsumoto, the moment didn’t just spark joy; it sparked a calling.
“I was 6 years old when the San Francisco Giants won the World Series in 2010,” the sports journalism student said. “I decided after that I wanted to be a play-by-play announcer for them.”
Matsumoto’s dad would take him to games, and eventually he learned how to score the game. He saw great players, like Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval, who helped lead the team to its 2010 championship.
Now, the California resident is preparing to graduate from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University and is heading right to the ballpark for his first job.
“Being able to watch those games with my dad is what led me to want to be a broadcaster,” Matsumoto said.
When it came to picking the right school, Matsumoto had options, but the Cronkite School stood out for one reason: opportunity.
“There are very few places in the country that have the number of teams and events Phoenix has. When you combine that with coverage opportunities and professional instruction, Cronkite simply made the most sense,” he said.
The sports journalism program at Cronkite, widely recognized as one of the best in the nation, blends rigorous academics with real-world experiences. Recently, Cronkite students have covered events ranging from Cactus League Spring Training to the Paris Olympics and the NCAA Women’s Final Four.
“While it’s true that getting involved is great advice, I think it’s more important for students to build connections with fellow students and professors,” Matsumoto said. “Getting to know your professors does wonders for learning about the industry and discovering new things.”
Matsumoto will be recognized as one of the spring Cronkite Spirit honorees at convocation, an honor that acknowledges his service and commitment to the Cronkite Nation community. As a Cronkite ambassador, he has given more than 100 tours, helping usher in the next generation of students.
He also attended the Society for American Baseball Research 2025 Analytics Conference, covered the National Wheelchair Basketball Association's College Basketball Championships and worked production for several ASU sporting events, from baseball to gymnastics to water polo.
Now Matsumoto is returning home to California to work for the San Jose Giants, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Matsumoto is sharing his parting thoughts.
Question: Why did you choose ASU over your closer-to-home options?
Answer: ASU provided me more opportunities and provides things that other schools do not. It’s also nice to be able to make new friends and have the space to learn and grow away from home.
Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: At Cronkite you get to meet a lot of people. You see a lot of unique perspectives and get to learn about different stories, which is what journalism is all about.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I’ll be returning home to San Jose, working for the San Jose Giants, a single-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, as a camera operator, pitch clock operator and stringer to help with their MLB.TV broadcasts.
Q: What inspires you the most about the future of media?
A: I'm inspired by the interconnectedness of the world. Cronkite helps students to see how global events impact them or can be connected to their community. A media focused on the connections between groups and communities is one that will benefit the world greatly.
More Sun Devil community
ASU alum brings life-changing robotics to LA operating rooms
Nicholas Santos-Ramirez calls in to an interview about his experience at Arizona State University around 5 p.m. It’s just another step in his busy day, on his way home from one of the five hospitals…
SUNlite Peer Coaching program helps ASU faculty, staff reach full career potential
Janna Goebel worked hard to get her dream job at Arizona State University, and she enjoyed doing good work. But a few years after she became an assistant professor in the School of Sustainability, in…
Golden State innovation, ASU roots
Story by Ed LeibowitzFor ASU graduates, California has long been a place to build careers — and scale them. From the Bay Area to San Diego, Sun Devils are shaping industries across the state. Here…