Caroline Austin ’26
Caroline Austin ’26
Communication
Sociology
The community spirit that Caroline Austin ’26 experienced during Friars men’s basketball games, which she attended with her father from ages 3–18, led her to enroll at Providence College and to seek a career in sports media.
“I fell in love with the team, the camaraderie, and the community, and I wanted to be a part of it,” said Caroline, who grew up in Sudbury, Massachusetts. “In high school, I had a phase where I wanted to go south to a big college, but one day at a PC home game, I was sitting there and I felt so at home. It just felt like the place where I belonged. And, at the end of the day, I always say to people, that’s your deciding factor.”
Austin is a social media content creator for the PC Sports Information Office. In addition to that student-worker position, she has interned at a local TV news station and worked as an event ambassador and corporate content creator for Kraft Sports + Entertainment, a division of the company that owns and manages the New England Patriots football team.
In her role with PC Athletics, Caroline presents live-game commentary, records the action, takes notes of highlights on her iPhone, and interviews players after games. Her velvety rich voice exudes confidence on camera, and she connects easily with those she interviews.
Michael DeMars, coordinator of social media, said Caroline visited his office during her first year at PC looking to get involved. For two years, she helped another student-worker record weekly game videos, and when that student graduated, “It was a natural fit for her to step up into the role.”
Austin’s digital storytelling has evolved from helping with the weekly “What’s Up Friartown” Instagram series to creating game-day content for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, women’s volleyball, men’s soccer, and field hockey. She also does fan-focused features, promos, and previews that she shares on her Instagram account, @carolinemarymedia.
“My job at PC Athletics has taught me professionalism and helped me focus on post-grad goals,” she said.
It took time for Austin to determine the major that matched her interests and strengths — with help from supportive staff like Peter Palumbo, director of academic advising in the Student Success Center, and guidance from professors like Zachariah Wheeler, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor of political science.
She chose communication, a new major at the college, with a minor in sociology.
“I started taking communication classes. I loved what I was learning, and I felt like I could apply it to my future,” she said. “Communications is so broad. At PC, you get a very well-rounded education that sets you up for anything you want to do in the communications field. I love that about the program.”
Her dream is to become a sideline reporter for an NBA team. But she is equally excited about any opportunity that keeps her in the game of storytelling.
