Going for Gold
Alumnus scores dream job at the Tokyo Olympics — and takes the CMU community behind the scenes with him
By Amanda S.F. Hartle
Although Carnegie Mellon University alumnus Noah Halloran always loved sports, he never imagined he’d “go pro” in running.
But at this summer’s delayed 2020 Olympics in his hometown of Tokyo, Japan, he found himself sprinting for days at a time as a production runner for NBC Sports.
Posted at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, he helped ensure the smooth coverage of a record 37 swimming events broadcasted to TV and streaming audiences around the globe.
“I supported the production team in any way I could, and I did everything from collecting trash and making copies for meetings to stage managing and helping talent get in position,” says Noah, who graduated in May from Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences with degrees in political history and international relations. “Let’s just say there was a lot of chaotic golf cart driving before and during shows to make sure everyone had what they needed and were in the places they needed to be.”
To get the coveted Summer Olympics assignment, Noah channeled the traits of an athlete — tenacity, heart and dedication — by emailing the position’s hiring manager, whom he connected with through an interview with the Boston Red Sox. Eight times.
“I kept telling them how I needed to go to Tokyo,” says Noah, who is fluent in Japanese and grew up in the island nation’s megacity before moving to the United States in high school. “My perseverance paid off.”
He’s looking forward to joining NBC Sports’ production team for upcoming LPGA and PGA Tour events, the Ryder Cup and “Sunday Night Football” now that he’s caught up on lost sleep.
“I have to be available for anything and everything, which means I have to be agile, flexible, a problem-solver and a communicator in a fast-paced and exciting environment,” he says. “It really is a perfect place for me to begin applying my CMU education and the skills I learned over the past four years in the ‘real world.’”