Springfield College COSJ Alumnus Capturing Olympic Stories for USA Hockey
Springfield College alumnus Justin Felisko ’12 at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games as the managing editor of content for USA Hockey.
By: Damon Markiewicz
Springfield College alumnus Justin Felisko’s ’12 journey to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games as the managing editor of content for USA Hockey has been a journey 14 years in the making. Felisko is currently hard at work in Milano Cortina, Italy, telling the Olympic-dream stories for USA Hockey Magazine and all of USA Hockey's website properties.
“This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime and I am thrilled to be a part of my first Olympic Games,” expressed Felisko. “It’s exciting to have the opportunity to capture some great stories involving some of the world’s greatest athletes.”
Felisko’s connection with USA Hockey originally started during his time at Springfield College, when he was an aspiring Communications/Sports Journalism (COSJ) student just hoping to catch a break with a media outlet.
“During the summer after my junior year, I was applying to just about every major news outlet for a full-time internship,” explained Felisko. “I remember hanging out in the Campus Union, and I was frustrated at the rejections I was getting, so I decided to search the web and I came across an internship with USA Hockey Magazine. I emailed the editor, Harry Thompson, and we started communicating. A year after that initial email, I checked in with Harry again as I was getting closer to graduation, and he offered me an internship that started a few weeks after graduation day. I packed up my car and headed to Colorado, and that was the beginning of my connection with USA Hockey and my mentor Harry Thompson.”
More than a decade after that first email, Felisko is now a working media member at the world’s biggest sports competition, and he is carrying the torch that Thompson left behind when he retired in 2022.
“Harry was at my wedding in July 2022, and at that time, he was telling me about his potential retirement and opportunities that might be opening up at USA Hockey,” explained Felisko. “I was in my ninth year working for the Professional Bull Riders at the time, but I was obviously very interested to get back to working with USA Hockey Magazine. It’s interesting to think back on my journey because it really makes me appreciate the opportunity to cover the Olympics. Harry had worked the Winter Olympics since 1998, and he gave me some great advice heading into this year’s event.”
Thompson’s advice has always been beneficial to Felisko, and it was a conversation the two had back in 2013 that led to Felisko practicing his multi-media skills in an environment that wasn’t centered around the ice rink. Rather, he would continue to master his craft centered around the dirt and excitement of Professional Bull Riding, Inc.
“In talking with Harry, we started discussing that there wasn’t really an end date to the USA Hockey Magazine internship, and even though I was loving the experience, there weren’t any immediate full-time openings,” explained Felisko. “I had to find something that would help pay the bills. I ended up staying in Colorado and taking a job as a copy editor with Professional Bull Riding, Inc.”
As Felisko started his time with PBR, it was on his mind that this was going to be a short-term option while he continued to do freelance writing with news outlets in Colorado. He was spending time as a contributing writer to The Gazette in Colorado Springs. As he was developing a solid reputation in the media field, an opportunity presented itself for Felisko to take advantage of a freelance gig with the New York Times in February 2014. The National Basketball Association’s first openly gay player, Jason Collins, was going to be in Colorado playing against the Denver Nuggets. At the time, this was a national story that was getting a lot of media attention, and Felisko was right there covering it for one of the biggest media outlets in the country.
“Through my networks with the media in Colorado, I was recommended to help cover that game for the New York Times,” explained Felisko. “I think the original person who was assigned had to miss the game for a wedding, and I ended up getting recommended to fill in. It was a national story, so it was a great opportunity. It was just one example of the freelance work I was doing even while making the transition to PBR.”
The career growth within PBR continued for Felisko as he maintained a mindset of using the experience as a way to lead himself to future opportunities.
“Six months was the goal, and that turned into a year,” explained Felisko. “An opportunity came up, and by year two with PBR, there was an idea to launch their own streaming network, the equivalent of the NFL Red Zone network. That led to some TV opportunities for myself.”
Felisko would end up spending nearly 10 years with PBR as the lead beat writer/digital editor. He would contribute written content for PBR.com and all print publications after two years as a digital outreach manager and editor/copywriter. Known as the PBR Insider, Felisko also appeared on CBS Sports Network, SiriusXM, RidePass on PlutoTV, and co-hosted a weekly sports highlight studio show, PBR Now, on the Cowboy Channel.
“I will say, most of the opportunities that came my way on camera were a result of the skills I developed off camera,” explained Felisko. “That is one piece of advice I give to all aspiring journalists, and that is to make yourself diverse in your skills.”
Felisko has witnessed over the years that the best journalists are also the best storytellers. Allowing the athletes to have a platform where they can showcase their personal journeys only helps build the credibility a journalist receives from those people he is covering.
“I think that is something that can really separate one journalist from another, is being a good storyteller, and that is something I learned within the COSJ program at Springfield College,” explained Felisko. “I enjoyed working with PBR because I had so much personal access with the individuals I was covering. I have tried to bring that with me to USA Hockey Magazine as well. The more you can help tell the athletes’ stories, the more credibility you can build up with those people you are interviewing.”
Feslisko continues to cover USA Hockey this week as both the men’s and women’s teams strive for the gold medal. He is making sure to stay true to his roots while enjoying all of the moments in Italy because it’s been a road filled with perseverance and dedication to his craft.
“I am really enjoying being in the live event environment again, and covering the live game action,” explained Felisko. “Starting with our media day with the athletes back in September, it’s been a fun ride being part of this year’s Olympics. I am really hoping to be able to write those gold medal-winning stories.”
Just like Felisko is leaving his mark with USA Hockey Magazine, he also left a strong legacy at the College and the COSJ program. During his time on Alden Street, his determination and innovation were not lost on his peers.
“You could tell Justin had a drive to be a really good journalist,” said COSJ professor Marty Dobrow, who helped start the COSJ major at the College in 1999. “Justin was one of the key contributors in developing the online SC Media platform. His vision saw the need to bring the print newspaper to an online platform. He has always stayed true to the College, and he continues to go above and beyond in helping our students.”
Helping future journalists was on display recently when Felisko joined Dobrow’s advanced journalism class via Zoom from Italy to offer professional advice and potentially be that mentor to others.
“I really enjoy what I do, and if I can help others, I am all for it,” explained Felisko. “I really appreciate how the professors at Springfield College helped me, so if I can do the same, I am always willing to give back to the College. I feel prepared covering events like the Olympics because of the education I received at Springfield College. I was able to establish my journalistic foundation at Springfield College. The COSJ was a great fit for me, and I still use so much of what I learned from the program in my career.”
