Sports broadcaster and Emmy Award winner Tom Glasgow returned to his roots recently to encourage Baker Middle School students in Megan Barkley’s broadcasting class. 

Glasgow – a former Tacoma kid – took his childhood experiences at Larchmont Elementary, Baker and Mount Tahoma High School to lay the foundation for a career in sports broadcasting, covering the Seattle Kraken and Seattle Mariners on ROOT SPORTS.   

Visit sparked by student work 

Glasgow was inspired to visit Baker after he came across videos created by Barkley’s students. Impressed by their work, he reached out to Barkley.  

Since broadcasting opportunities weren’t available to him during middle school, seeing students build these skills now is especially meaningful, he said. 

During their session together, students were eager to ask Glasgow questions, ranging from lighthearted topics, like the most famous person he’s interviewed (Kobe Bryant sparked plenty of excitement), to more thoughtful discussions about pursuing a career in broadcasting. 

Glasgow explained that one of the most important things to understand about the industry is how much it changes. 

“My job never stays the same,” he said. “Stay curious. Stay open. Be as versatile as you possibly can be.” 

He shared how his own career has required a lot of flexibility, moving between television and radio, and being willing to take on opportunities he hadn’t always planned for. 

Barkley said the session helped students develop a clearer understanding of what professional broadcasting looks like, while also highlighting the impact of hearing directly from an alumnus.  

“They saw that someone who once sat in the same middle‑school classrooms they sit in now was able to build a successful career in media,” she said. 

Pro tips 

Students took full advantage of Glasgow’s classroom visit by soliciting his expertise and input on Bulldog Media, Baker’s student-led TV station that creates three original broadcasts per week. The episodes feature everything from school news, interviews with community leaders and student feature stories to weather reports and joke of the day. 

Eighth grade student Tytus partnered with Glasgow on a segment for Bulldog Sports Corner. They filmed in the class’s broadcasting studio, calling plays from the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX game while classmates listened in from their seats. Other student groups filmed interviews with Glasgow, focusing both on his journey as a Baker alumnus and his career path in broadcasting. The finished interviews will be shared on the Bulldog Media YouTube channel. 

Barkley described how experiences like this help students see the value in their work and understand how classroom skills connect to career.  

“They weren’t just hearing about the industry - they were practicing it with someone who lives it every day,” she said. “It reinforced the purpose of connecting classroom learning to real‑world skills while giving students a moment they will remember for years.” 

She added that Glasgow’s energy and genuine interest in students made the day truly special. He answered countless questions, took time to talk with every student who approached him, and even brought his Emmy awards for students to see and hold. 

“The experience resonated deeply with our classroom community,” Barkley said. “Students are already working on editing the interviews and producing their own story about the visit. We are incredibly grateful for alumni like Tom who choose to come back and invest in today’s students.”