OSHAWA, Ont. – When Jacob Begley joined the Ridgebacks in 2018, he could never have imagined how his connection to Ontario Tech University would lead him to commentate on the biggest stage for university sports in Canada.

His playing career led him to be an OUA First Team All-Star and a U SPORTS All-Canadian in 2022. Now, he is continuing to give back to the Ridgebacks by using his voice rather than his feet, and this week, Begley made his national broadcast debut, calling the action for the CBC Gem broadcast of the Bruce Power U SPORTS Men's Soccer Championship.

"I still describe my time at Ontario Tech as the best five years of my life to date," Begley said. "My time at Ontario Tech made me a better athlete but also a better person, and I can't thank everyone involved enough for making my experience so memorable."

Begley and fellow Ontario Tech men's soccer alum Matthew Perovic started calling Ridgeback soccer games late this season after approaching the athletic department for a chance to get on-air together. The pair impressed and ended up closing out the Ridgebacks' regular season and calling the Ridgebacks' playoff victory against the Nipissing Lakers.

"Doing the end of both the men's and the women's soccer seasons at Ontario Tech was a fantastic opportunity for both of us," Begley said. "I couldn't be happier with the opportunity that we had, as it opened up future opportunities on an even larger scale."

While the two found their footing on OUA.tv, John Bower and the U SPORTS broadcasting crew took notice and recommended Begley and Perovic be a part of the U SPORTS crew. While Perovic could not join due to professional commitments, Begley jumped at the chance.

Begley's first CBC Gem broadcasts included the prime time debut for the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks as they took on the McGill Redbirds. For the former captain, this was his first chance to be on the national stage for the Ridgebacks, and he made sure to enjoy it as much as possible.

"It was the first game for Ontario Tech ever at a national tournament, and to be on the call is an experience I will never forget," Begley said. "There was a massive crowd under the lights, which made the atmosphere something I have never seen at Vaso's Field. It made that moment when Kairo [Coore] scored the goal that much better."

Begley's schedule has seen him on-air for all three of the Ridgebacks games, and he'll be on-air for the bronze medal match-up between the York Lions and McGill Redbirds on Sunday.

As an athlete, Begley was never able to play for a national championship, but now he will forever be a part of the Ridgebacks' first-ever appearance in the national tournament.

"I never had the opportunity to play in a national championship as a player. It is the one regret I have about my time at Ontario Tech, but to be part of something so big as a broadcaster, I will never forget it," Begley said. "I had the chance to fly to BC in 2022 after winning a First Team All-Canadian, which was an incredible experience. But having the 2023 championship on home soil was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it was a pleasure being part of it."

Begley is currently pursuing a Master's degree at the University of Toronto and plays for Vaughan Soccer Club in League 1 Ontario.

With a bright future ahead of him, Begley is not ruling out pursuing more opportunities in the broadcasting world and the Ridgebacks have certainly appreciated his professionalism and knwoledge that he's brought to their broadcast throughout the year.

"We're so proud to continue to have Jacob in-house and contributing to the program on-air," said Ridgebacks Athletic Director Scott Barker. "He did an incredible job on-air and represented the university at a high level on the big stage."

His former coach, Ramin Mohammadi, echoed the statements.

"Jacob has done a great job, and we've heard such wonderful feedback about his work on-air," said Mohammadi. "It's great to see a guy who was captain of the program and here for five years still here, involved with U SPORTS. We'll support him the entire way."