From the Hilltop to the big leagues: IC alumnus Chase Norman ’17 earns sports Emmy

When Chase Norman '17 arrived at Illinois College in 2013, he knew athletics had opened the door to college, but he also understood the importance of building a career beyond the playing field.

A football student-athlete and business major with concentrations in management, marketing and sports management, Norman credits Illinois College faculty with helping him discover a path that would carry him far beyond graduation.

"Professor John Drea '80 prepared me for life without me even realizing it," Norman said. "The lessons about business, finance and leadership didn't fully click until I started my career. Now I use them every day."

Today, Norman works as a video engineer, helping bring some of the world's biggest sporting events to television audiences. From running fiber optic cables to troubleshooting cameras and broadcast equipment, his work ensures millions of viewers can experience live sporting events without ever seeing the technology behind the scenes.
His dedication recently earned one of the industry's highest honors.

Norman was part of the FOX Sports technical team that received the 2026 Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Technical Team: Sports Event for its coverage of the 2025 World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers. As a video engineer, he played a critical role in managing the complex broadcast systems that connect cameras, microphones and production equipment throughout the stadium.

The recognition represents years of persistence. Norman began his career as a production assistant, taking on every opportunity to learn before working his way through operations roles and into the technical side of sports broadcasting.

"It means a lot because my hard work doesn't go unnoticed," he said. "Seeing my family hold that Emmy trophy and knowing I earned it at 30 years old is something I'll never forget."

Looking back, Norman says Illinois College's close-knit community gave him the confidence to pursue ambitious goals.

"I came from a small school, and it showed me that anything is possible," he said. "If you work hard and keep learning, you can accomplish anything."