Alumna’s media gigs include Bruins emcee, radio personality, and voice of the university

While most people are still snuggled in bed sleeping, Michaela “Mick” Johnson, ’10, is up at 4 a.m. and out the door, all to help others start their day as one of the hosts of the Fun 107 Morning Show.

Even though the job demands she be behind the wheel driving to the Fairhaven station before the sun comes up, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I love telling local stories and highlighting what’s going on in our local communities,” Johnson said. “My kids also get to hear mom every morning (on the radio). I get to give my kids something to be proud of.”

Her roots in radio started when she was studying communications at what was then Bridgewater State College and hosted a radio show.

That, and other experiences at Bridgewater, like serving as an orientation leader and walking onto the women’s basketball team, where she served as captain in her final two years, helped Johnson find her niche.

“I got very involved and feel I grew a lot and was able to have some great experiences that launched my career in the right direction, even guiding me into a field that I didn’t’ realize was the perfect fit,” she said.

Initially, Johnson’s plan was to become an athletic trainer.

“I knew I wanted to be involved in sports, but when it came time to declare my major, sports broadcasting started to emerge,” she said. “I took jobs at ���鵺��̳, announced football games, baseball games…any games that fell outside of basketball season, I did it.”

After college, Johnson moved to California where she worked as a production runner for the X Games, breaking down sets, running tapes, even delivering water bottles to famed skateboarder Tony Hawk.

An opportunity to audition for The Rhode Show on WPRI-TV in Providence, Rhode Island, brought her back east. The contest was an American Idol-style event, where contestants competed to serve as one of the show’s hosts for a year. Johnson won, and was so popular with viewers, one year turned into 12.

“Toward the end of my years, they wanted to take the show in a new direction and offered me the opportunity to be the main host,” she said.

While starting her family and working on The Rhode Show, Johnson was also hired to work as the arena host for Boston Bruins home games at the TD Garden, a job she still holds.

“I’m in my ninth season now, it’s been a lot of fun,” she said.

Johnson also lends her talents to promoting her alma mater. She was recently hired by ���鵺��̳ to provide voiceovers on several television commercials.

Wearing so many different hats is a lot to juggle, but Johnson thrives in all her roles.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said.

Being so active is what sparks and guides her, that’s been the case going back to her days at ���鵺��̳.

“I would tell current students, get involved! Take advantage of all the opportunities Bridgewater has to offer,” Johnson said. “And stay true to yourself. Be confident that things will work out. The right things will find you, or you will find them.”

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu 

I would tell current students, get involved! Take advantage of all the opportunities Bridgewater has to offer and stay true to yourself. Be confident that things will work out. The right things will find you, or you will find them.

Alumnus producer takes his talents to the Super Bowl 

When Thomas Pike, ’17, first picked up a camera to film the ���鵺��̳ football team play against Endicott College, little did he know it marked the beginning of a successful career covering some of the most elite events in professional sports. 

“My first experience with collegiate sports at ���鵺��̳ is what provided me with the gateway to what I wanted to do,” Pike said. “The connections I made at Bridgewater have made it easier to broaden my horizons and figure out the trajectory of my career.”

That trajectory recently landed Pike inside New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome for Super Bowl LIX, producing three different segments for Draft Kings, where he works as an associate technical director. 

While in New Orleans, he worked behind the scenes helping to produce the Draft King Network’s “GoJo and Golic,” “Pregame Powerup,” and “The Ross Tucker Football Podcast.”  

“It was a blast,” Pike said.

This isn’t the first time the ���鵺��̳ alumnus has worked the big game. He also traveled to Los Angeles in 2022 for Super Bowl LVI. 

Pike doesn’t take any of it for granted and admits he loves his job.

“I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by amazingly talented people,” he said. “Working with others who have different backgrounds, all with the same purpose and goals...I get to be around people I can learn from every single day.”

That willingness to learn from others goes back to his days at ���鵺��̳, where he got involved with sports production under Associate Director of Athletics & Recreation Operations Glenn Gonsalves and received overall guidance from James Moore, an instructor with the Department of Communication. Both, Pike said, were integral in his growth.

“I had been undecided when I first got to Bridgewater in terms of what I wanted to do, but soon realized I really liked making videos and fell in love with it,” Pike said. 

He also gained valuable work experience as an intern for the Brockton Rox and worked for BTV Access Corporation, better known as Bridgewater Community Television. 

“That experience really helped me learn how to run and direct a show,” Pike said. 

After graduating from ���鵺��̳ with a degree in communications, things happened fast. He was first hired by Dirty Water Media in Boston to create features and film content. Through that job he met someone within the Boston Red Sox organization. Soon he interviewed for and was offered a job as production assistant for the organization. 

“Yep, I got the job and was able to witness the Red Sox go to the World Series. It’s interesting, since I left that job, they’ve declined,” Pike joked. “But really, it was a great experience being part of that team and organization.”

He then moved on to work as chief editor for Medfield TV, a local access television station before venturing out on his own as a freelancer. 

“Starting your freelance journey during COVID – not the easiest,” Pike said. 

Around this time, he reached out to his former employer at Bridgewater Community Television. That’s when he became aware of the opportunity at Draft Kings.  

“In every position I’ve had, I’ve been able to use all the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my journey,” Pike said. 

As for the next chapter in his career? He’s unsure but can’t wait to see what happens next.  

“I’ve been fortunate to be in this amazing position to cover both the World Series and Super Bowl. The next step would have to be covering the Stanley Cup or NBA Championship,” Pike said. “We’ll just have to see what the road opens up for me and go from there.”

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu 

The connections I made at Bridgewater have made it easier to broaden my horizons and figure out the trajectory of my career.