2025 Unpacked
2025 - A Year Like No Other
2025 was an incredible one. There were a multitude of major events that changed my life in more ways than one. I had my first professional sports beat, gained my first opportunities to cover professional sports games across multiple leagues, while uncovering new stories in Southeastern Pennsylvania. I could not be more thankful for this past year.
The move to Philadelphia from Charlotte, North Carolina was one that changed my life in more ways than one. Coming back north allowed me to expand my coverage from New York City down to Washington, DC, and allows me to be closer back home to Cleveland.
Coaching the Orange at the Empire State Winter Games
To kick off the year, I served as a photography coach for the Empire State Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York. The team of 20+ photography students at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications served as the official photographer and public relations team for the games. The effort gave the group opportunities to gain hands on experience with learning the fundamentals of sports coverage, including captioning and delivering images on tight deadlines.
NCAA Championships
Anticipation. Drama. Dominance.
2025 was an incredible year for NCAA Championships. A host of champions were crowned thanks to mere miliseconds and milimeters in the final seconds of the event.
In Division III Track and Field, Elysse Cumberland of Tufts wins the triple jump with a final jump of 12.60, defeating Ebunoluwa Opata who scored a 12.59.
The Hobart Statesmen make a three-peat in Men’s Ice Hockey, defeating the Utica Pioneers 2-1 to win the D-III Championship. The Statesmen finish the season with a 29-1-1 record.
After a storm rolls through Penfield, New York causes a four hour delay, Eddie Coffren of Lynchburg wins the Men’s Division III Individual golf championship after six holes.
Lastly, the Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks sweep the Messiah Falcons after scoring 39 runs to Messiah’s 8 over two games.
The First Professional Sports Beat
The New England Revolution take on the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park.
The Philadelphia Union’s 2025 season marked the first time I have been able to cover a professional sports team through a full season.
The Union finished out the season winning the Supporter’s Shield after a 1-0 win against New York City FC. The team finished with a 20-8 win loss record and made it to the Conference Semifinals before losing to.. you name it, New York City FC. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF win the MLS Championshhip.
To see more images of the Philadelphia Union’s 2026 campaign, galleries are available here.
Highlight: Covering the Washington Spirit v Seattle Reign
First assignment in Washington DC
The Washington Spirit rally behind Trinity Rodman as they defeat the Seattle Reign, 2-1.
Discovering Philadelphia, through the Inquirer
Since the beginning of my career, I have always cared about contributing to local journalism and discovering more about the surrounding communities. This year, I had the great opportunity to help with coverage at The Philadelphia Inquirer. At the paper, I covered various topics across the region, including a Powerplay Floor Hockey team, a house feature, concerts, and even a voluntary "sacrifice” to receive a higher draft pick in the NBA Draft.
Working with the Inquirer gave me an opportunity to learn the culture and what makes Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. It opened eyes into what I have loved the most about being a photographer. It’s no longer that I just love covering sports, I also love uncovering stories about things people are passionate about; from food, to sports and performing, to even home decorating.
Contributing to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s “The 76” Food list
On The Frontlines of the Biggest College Football Season Yet
New Season, New Approach
Heading into the season, I wanted to change my approach to covering college football. To start, I wanted to dig in and research deeper into potential headlines and stories surrounding teams throughout the midwest and Northeast.
The year was one of the most dramatic on record. Between Bowling Green’s Pudge the cat’s unveiling to the world, Penn State’s rise to James Franklin’s firing, and Fernando Mendoza’s “Heisman” campaign at Indiana. The year was full of unpredictable heroics. If you told me earlier this season that Ohio State, Alabama, and Georiga would not be competing for the Championship, I would be stunned.
Highlight: The HBCU Battle of Legends
Two Philadelphia Eagles Legends.
Two HBCU’s.
One Battle at Lincoln Financial Field.
DeSean Jackson of Delaware State and Michael Vick of Norfolk State square off in the HBCU Battle of Legends at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Delaware State Hornets defeat the Norfolk State Spartans, 27-20.
Returning to Professional Sports Coverage
This past year I made a return to covering professional sports, including covering the Philadelphia Phillies, 76ers, and Flyers.
Highlight: ToppsNow Trading Card
Edmundo Sosa hits three home-runs to contribute to a franchise record eight in one game against the Miami Marlins
The Phillies run a home run show as they score eight home runs against the Miami Marlins on September 25th.
In the derby, Edmundo Sosa hits three of the homers, marking a franchise record in their 11-1 win.
20 College Athletes See NBA Action
In closing out my coverage from Charlotte and moving to Philly, I wanted to cover as many potential NBA athletes as possible. I covered 16 games in the past season that saw 20 athletes either be drafted to the NBA or signed with an NBA team.
More Moments From 2025
Major League Table Tennis Championship, Army Navy Soccer Cup, Danny Garcia’s Workout,
Olympians at The 151st Penn Relays, ShopRite LPGA Classic, and more
Looking Ahead to 2026
America’s 250th Anniversary, 52 Weeks of Firsts for Philadelphia
2026 is a historic year for Philadelphia. There’s a library of events that’s celebrating the 250th year of not just the United States, but the City of Philadelphia as well. Here are the upcoming events for 2026 that I’m looking to take part in coverage of.
Philly Unrivaled, January 30, 2026, Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philaedlphia, PA
Penn State v Michigan State Outdoor Hockey game, January 31, 2026, Beaver Stadium, State College, PA
The FIFA World Cup, June 14 to July 4th - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
NFL Draft - April 23 to April 25 - Pittsburgh, PA
PGA Championship - May 11 to May 17 - Aronimink Golf Course, Philadelphia-area, PA
NASCAR Race at Pocono - June 12-14
MLB All Star Game - July 14th, Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
America250 Celebration - Yearlong, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Cycling Classic, August 30, Philadelphia, PA
I also have easy access to accommodations in Cleveland, OH, Virginia, and New York City.
Thank you for a fantastic 2025, and I can’t wait to see you in 2026!
For additional information, reach out to Isaiah Vazquez at:
Isaiah Vazquez
i35photography@yahoo.com
216-334-9433
All images are owned by copyright holders, including Getty Images, NCAA, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Army West Point, and others. All higlighted links forward to galleries or relevant stories.