What does it take to turn a childhood love of sports into a career seen by millions?
For Mount Carmel alum Pablo Iglesias ’13, the answer isn’t just talent. It’s persistence, passion, and the willingness to take chances. Now a Digital Content Specialist and on-air host at ESPN Madison, Iglesias reaches tens of millions of viewers each year. But long before the bright lights and live broadcasts, he was just a kid from Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood, walking to White Sox games with his dad, and dreaming of telling stories through sports.
Iglesias’ love for sports didn’t begin in a newsroom but instead started at home. Growing up near what was then called US Cellular Field, where the Sox play, he was surrounded by the energy of Chicago sports.
“I grew up watching sports, and there was something about sports storytelling and broadcasting that I felt super connected with,” Iglesias says.
That connection deepened during the White Sox’s 2005 World Series run, when he saw firsthand how sports could bring people together. For Iglesias, it wasn’t just about the game but also the stories behind it.
At MC, Iglesias found the perfect place to turn that passion into action through the Caravan Broadcast Network (CBN). More importantly, he found lessons that would shape his entire career.
“There are two things that you can always control in life,” Iglesias says, “your effort and your attitude.” He recalls the legendary late teacher and coach Curt Ehrenstrom at MC telling him that when he was a senior.
That mindset stuck with him. Whether it was calling games, joining different activities, or stepping out of his comfort zone, Iglesias embraced every opportunity. He credits the MC brotherhood and diverse community for helping him grow, not just as a student, but as a person.
“Mount Carmel goes through you as you go through Mount Carmel,” he says.
After graduating from Bradley University, Iglesias didn’t immediately jump into a full-time broadcasting role. Instead, he returned to the place where it all started.
“I was working at Mount Carmel full time,” Iglesias says. He was a Multimedia and Marketing specialist at MC for the 2017-18 school year, and he also moderated the Caravan Broadcast Network.
During this time, he continued to develop his skills behind the camera and build connections in the industry. While working at the school, he also began freelancing, taking advantage of opportunities that would eventually launch his career.
That period became a turning point. It allowed him to stay connected to his roots while still chasing bigger goals. Rather than waiting for the “perfect” opportunity, Iglesias used his time at MC to grow, network, and prepare for what came next.
Iglesias’ journey wasn’t handed to him; he built it step by step. From interning with the Los Angeles Dodgers to freelancing at major events, he learned the importance of putting himself out there.
“If you don’t shoot your shot, then what’s going to happen?” he says.
One defining moment came when he took initiative during an internship, pitching an idea to his boss. That confidence paid off, eventually leading to opportunities covering teams like the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks.
His first major break came unexpectedly. After reaching out to a news director, he landed a full-time job within 24 hours, getting hired as the weekend sports anchor for WEEK TV in the Peoria-Bloomington, IL, market.
“I took a leap of faith, and life can take a 360 spin just like that,” Iglesias says.
Today, Iglesias plays a key role at ESPN Madison, where he manages digital content, produces videos, and hosts shows. His work has generated over 61 million impressions annually, a testament to both his skill and adaptability in a fast-changing media landscape.
But even with awards and recognition, he isn’t satisfied.
“Be proud of the achievements, but know that you can always keep pushing,” he says.
For him, success isn’t a finish line; it’s a motivation to keep going.
Beyond highlights and scores, Iglesias sees sports as something deeper, a way to connect people and tell meaningful stories.
“Everybody has a story, and sports can be that bridge,” he explains.
Whether it’s a major championship or a personal journey, Iglesias believes storytelling has the power to inspire and bring communities together.
From a 14-year-old eager to call games at MC to a professional broadcaster reaching millions, Pablo Iglesias’ journey is proof that success doesn’t come from one big moment but rather from countless small ones.
And for students looking to follow a similar path, his message is simple: control what you can, take chances, and never stop growing.
Because sometimes the biggest opportunities start with someone as small as being willing to ask.
