Where Are They Now?: Bonney Lake’s Zachary Goff From Panther Captain to FOX 13 Producer

Since graduating from Bonney Lake High School in 2017, Zachary Goff has taken a path that’s carried him from the hardwood to the control room, now producing one of Seattle’s top morning news shows.

At BLHS, Goff wasn’t just a player, he was a leader. As captain of the Panthers basketball team, he helped guide a squad that broke a years-long playoff drought, creating lasting memories and relationships that still carry forward today.

But his impact didn’t stop on the court.

Goff was also a key part of Mr. Hilen’s broadcasting program, an experience he credits as a defining step in his journey.

“I am a direct product of what hands-on education can offer,” Goff said. “The ability to learn to write scripts and produce even a small news broadcast set me up for a myriad of different roles I could have taken in the news world.”

That combination of athletics and academics set the foundation for what came next.

Chasing the Dream at PLU (Class of 2021)

After graduating from Bonney Lake, Goff continued his basketball career at Pacific Lutheran University, where his schedule quickly filled with practices, classes, and broadcasting responsibilities.

Balancing it all required discipline, but it also opened doors.

“It required serious time management skills, but I couldn’t have asked for a better college experience,” Goff said. “I got to chase my dream as a basketball player while doing play-by-play commentary for pretty much every sport on campus.”

Through PLU’s LASR Radio and sports broadcasting opportunities, Goff became the voice behind Lute athletics, calling games across a wide range of sports including soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, and even swim meets.

In the process, he discovered new passions.

“I learned more about at least a dozen sports in just a few years than I did in my entire life prior,” he said. “I’m a massive fan of baseball and soccer now, largely because I got to cover our Northwest Conference-winning teams.”

A Global Experience in Scotland

Goff’s journey took an international turn when he participated in PLU’s Study Away program, landing in Aberdeen, Scotland.

There, he joined the Aberdeen University Stags and competed at a high level, helping lead the team to within one win of a Scottish National Championship.

“I cherish my time playing on that team more than any other squad I’ve been a part of,” Goff said. “I still speak with those friends regularly, who come from all over the globe.”

While the experience was unforgettable, it also came with unexpected challenges. His time abroad was cut short during the Spring 2020 semester, creating a difficult journey back home during a period of global uncertainty.

Still, the experience left a lasting mark, and a desire to return someday.

From the Ground Up at FOX 13

After college, Goff faced a challenge familiar to many graduates, breaking into a competitive industry.

Instead of slowing down, he leaned in.

Through volunteer work with organizations like the Red Cross and Seattle City Club, he built connections, gained experience, and positioned himself for the opportunity that would change everything.

That opportunity came at FOX 13 Seattle.

Starting as an associate producer, Goff worked his way up to becoming a morning news producer for Good Day Seattle, a show that spent nearly three straight years as the top-rated morning program during his time there.

Behind the scenes, his role is fast-paced and demanding.

“A typical morning involves gathering news from a variety of sources, then turning it into a digestible and interesting product for viewers,” Goff said. “I get to sit in the booth and coordinate with our production crew, anchors, news desk, and reporters to put on a daily broadcast.”

Behind the Camera

While viewers see the anchors on screen, Goff is part of the team making everything happen behind the scenes.

“Imagine 30 screens in a room where we have to decide what content to show and turn stories in under a minute’s notice,” he said. “There’s a lot that goes into making the news accurate, informational, and engaging.”

In an ever-evolving media landscape, the job demands constant innovation and creativity.

And for Goff, there’s a deeper connection to the work.

“There’s no greater pleasure as a news producer who grew up in western Washington than getting to produce a show about something like the Seahawks winning a Super Bowl,” he said.

Full Circle

Looking back, Goff’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges, but each step helped shape the path forward.

From Bonney Lake High School to Pacific Lutheran University, from Scotland to Seattle, and from volunteer work to the producer’s booth, his story reflects persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to seize opportunities.

It all started in Bonney Lake.

And now, while many see the finished product on their TV screens each morning, it’s alumni like Zachary Goff working behind the scenes, bringing those stories to life.