The biggest moments in sports are not made on the field alone. Creativity, work ethic and a vision strategically work behind the lines and in the stands to elevate the game. Cristina Stefanizzi, FCRH ’27, is the embodiment of this ambition for sports media and brings her A-game every time. Step into her arena and learn exactly what it takes to reach a platform as prestigious as the MLB.
As a political science and new media and digital design double major, Stefanizzi has experience in both written and visual forms of media. She knew from an early age that she would not be one to sit at a desk from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. everyday, and her majors have given her the opportunity to escape such a fate by exploring different forms of media.
While Stefanizzi has a solid background in news writing from the Pelham Examiner in high school and The Ram in college, her heart pushes her towards the more visual aspect of the media industry. The junior found that she can capture a lot more through her position as a Fordham University content creator. Her visual work can be seen across multiple platforms, including TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. “There are certain things you just can’t capture with words,” said Stefanizzi.
Stefanizzi continues to transform her ambition to be even more specialized, as she gravitates more towards sports media due to its air of creativity compared to hard news.
“[Sports] is a very electric environment because it’s just when you go there it kind of feels like nothing else is happening and you’re just in the game,” said Stefanizzi. “I [also] love the people. I feel like everyone’s really dedicated to what they are doing, whether they are playing or coaching or taking pictures or even behind the scenes running the scoreboards.”
Stefanizzi’s love for sports media was discovered thanks to her first-year orientation leader, Mary Kelly Prosky Gilbert, FCRH ’25.
“She basically started the athletics media department on her own,” said Stefanizzi.
After handling 22 sports teams by herself, Prosky Gilbert eventually recruited more people into the Fordham University athletics department media space, including Stefanizzi. Her ambition and dedication then began to blossom for the industry — so much so that Stefanizzi has yet to miss a football game in all of her three years working for the department.
Stefanizzi’s work as the Fordham Football social media manager and photographer has led to multiple viral moments that currently accumulate to 6.7 million views, 40,000 more followers and a 900%increase in engagement. To anyone else, these statistics are simply numbers, however, Stefanizzi feels gratified and even more motivated to keep going into such a demanding industry.
According to Stefanizzi, content creation can be easily misrepresented as an “easy” industry, but it is much more complex.
“Twenty other people are thinking of doing the same thing, so you want to be the person that comes up with the first,” said Stefanizzi.
Stefanizzi has achieved just that. In August 2025, Stefanizzi created her “Gold Star” video and posted on TikTok and Instagram Reels. It garnered millions of views and reached multiple other teams, going as far as a recreation appearing on the Carolina Panthers social media.
Stefanizzi’s talent, coupled with a sprinkle of luck, caught the attention of two huge names in the sports world: the New York Islanders and MLB. According to Stefanizzi, working with the Islander’s Creative Services Team over the summer and working currently as a special project coordinator for MLB “doesn’t feel real.”
Despite all her success, diving into the sports world is not without its challenges just like any other male-dominated industry. The first Wednesday of February brings National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) centerfield in order to highlight female achievements, impacts and equality. Fordham participates by hosting a NGWSD youth clinic every year where student athletes and coaches dedicate time to teaching the next generation of young girls in their sport of interest. According to Stefanizzi, it is one of her favorite days of the year.
“It’s wonderful seeing a bunch of people recognize that in such a male-dominated place, women still have a place,” said Stefanizzi.
