Alyssa Roenigk: The Path to ESPN

By Emily Hanson

Alyssa Roenigk, a senior writer for ESPN, got her first job in a unique way. As a self-described “brash 21-year-old,” she sent the editor-in-chief of American Cheerleader magazine a letter telling her all of the ways she’d make the magazine better. The editor wrote her back, flew down to interview her, and Roenigk got a job with the magazine in New York City.

Roenigk remembers her confidence as an undergrad at the University of Florida when she provides advice for aspiring sports journalists.

“Take big chances, and bet on yourself,” Roenigk said.

Students should take chances when they’re young because many people are less willing to take chances as they get older, Roenigk said.

Two years after starting at American Cheerleader, Roenigk moved on to ESPN. She started as a copy editor, was eventually offered a full-time job covering action sports, and in 2008 was promoted to senior writer. She writes for ESPN the Magazine, espn.com and has become an on-camera reporter for the X Games.

“I’ve been at ESPN 12 years, and I don’t think I’ve ever stopped learning,” Roenigk said. “It’s probably what’s kept me there.”

It was tough for Roenigk to come up with just one favorite experience as a sports journalist because her job has taken her so many places through the years. Her trip back to her hometown of Pittsburgh with her mom sticks out as the most memorable. Roenigk’s mom went with her on assignment to learn why the Steelers have such a large number of loyal female fans. Growing up a Steelers fan, Roenigk truly connected to the story.

“I was reporting a story that was really meaningful for a whole lot of Steeler fans across the country,” Roenigk said. “It was equally as meaningful to me, and I was learning about myself while I was reporting the story. So it was really, really special.” 

Transcript:

E. What was your path that led you to ESPN?

A. That’s a good question. It’s a path I certainly couldn’t have foreseen when I set out. I studied journalism at the University of Florida. There was no sports journalism degree at the time, but I started realizing everything I wrote about somehow revolved around sports. So I interned at The Gainesville Sun, which is the big newspaper in Gainesville…pretty much for anyone who would let me write. And it was always sports. I was a huge Sports Illustrated reader my whole life. My junior year of college, ESPN the Magazine launched, and I immediately connected with it. It was funny and irreverent. There was beautiful photography and long-form features, and it just felt like my vibe. So in the back of my mind, it was like my dream job, but it seemed sort of out of reach at that point.

I was a cheerleader at the University Florida and was told how many times…I’m sure you’ve been told…write about what you know. So my senior year I was taking grad school classes and thought finishing grad school would be nice if I was going into teaching. But for working in journalism, I wanted to get out and into the workforce and start learning hands-on. I wrote a letter to a magazine I had never seen before, but it had been around for a while. It was in the gym we worked out in – American Cheerleader magazine. And I picked it up, thought it was a terrible magazine at the time quite honestly, and with the brashness of a 21-year-old, I wrote the editor-in-chief a letter telling her all the ways I would make her magazine better. And it was based in New York City, which is where I knew all of the magazines I wanted to work for were based. And she wrote me back, flew down and interviewed me and hired me. So that got me to New York, and I had two years at that magazine learning anything you could possibly want to learn about putting a magazine together. And after about two years, I left to freelance and start studying the heck out of magazine editors in New York, and I got an interview with ESPN.

I started out as a copywriter, or sorry, copy editor, and I was just pitching stories. So I was freelance writing for them and copy editing and finally was offered a full-time job covering action sports. So my first full-time job there was running, with another guy, EXPN.com, which is our old action sports site, and writing for the magazine. Then that site went dark for a little while, and we would run it just during X Games events. And I moved on to the magazine full-time as an editor and writer, and in 2008, I was promoted to senior writer, and I was writing full-time. Where I’ve been since then…I now write for the magazine and .com, and the last few years I’ve become our on camera reporter for the X Games. I host some TV shows called the World of X Games. It’s a really cool company because if you want to, you can really spread the web out and work across all platforms – radio, tv, .com, podcasts – I mean, you name it. So it’s a really fun learning curve. I’ve been there 12 years, and I don’t think I’ve ever stopped learning. It’s probably what’s kept me there.

E. You mentioned writing the letter to get your first job. What is your advice for aspiring sports journalists to break into the industry?

A. Well first of all, read. The biggest piece of advice I can give anyone is to read and write a lot. And especially when you’re young, not worrying about anyone paying you. Just writing and reading constantly. And reading people you love and people that you don’t love – and being able to distinguish the difference. And figuring out what you think at that moment you want to do. Certainly at that moment, I couldn’t have even imagined doing what I’m doing today – and they weren’t sports I really was even aware of. I went to ESPN as a football writer, which I still do obviously, but I couldn’t have even imagined it. At that moment in your life when you’re graduating college, what is it that you want to write about? Who are the folks you like? Doing what you’re doing. Reach out to people. Ask for advice. 21-year-olds should be brash and extremely confident in what you’re doing. Being willing to take a chance on yourself because at a younger age, it’s a lot easier. It’s a lot harder to do it, and I think we all become – I don’t know if fearful is the right word – but less willing to take big chances the older we get. Take big chances, and bet on yourself.

E. How do you feel women are treated in the sports journalism world compared to men? Do you think it’s tougher for women?

A. Yes and no. I think as a woman if you focus on why it’s tougher for you, it probably is. To be honest with you, I never really thought of it until someone asked a question. And partially I think I’m very lucky for that. I’ve worked at… the first magazine I was at, there were many women there – of course it was a cheerleading magazine. At ESPN, I didn’t think about the fact that I was a woman as much as I thought about the fact that I was young and new. And still, a good idea always won out. If you raised your hand in a meeting, a good idea won out.

That said, you definitely deal with going to… where I find it more is there’s a lot of old school men who work with teams, and I’ve certainly been called ‘little lady’ more times than I care to be. I’m small, and I can look younger than I am. You get a lot of questions about why you’re in an area you’re probably not supposed to be in, even though you’re wearing a press credential. ‘How did you get that credential?’

But when it comes to the job itself – I’ve been really fortunate at ESPN. I feel like being a woman… there’s a huge advantage, especially in the writing and reporting I do. As a woman, you walk into a locker room, and you look different. People remember you. A woman is just going to stick out a little bit. And if you know your stuff, that’s going to make you stick out even more.

E. What has been your favorite experience as a sports journalist?

A. Oh my goodness. That’s so hard. There’s so many! One of the cool things about this job is you get to take friends and family to very cool places. So I’ve had the opportunity – we’re from Pittsburgh originally – had the opportunity to take both of my parents to watch the Steelers play in the Super Bowl. And those were really wonderful memories, but last year I took my mom back to Pittsburgh on assignment. I was on assignment. She was sort of on assignment with me.

I had read several years ago that the Pittsburgh Steelers have the greatest percentage of female fans of any big four sports team. And that surprised me not at all. But I’d never seen anything about why women connect with the Steelers. I’m from Pittsburgh, and it’s just a different city. And when I moved away, I realized not every woman… I mean I have cousins who are just the girliest of girls who could tell you the Steelers starting 22. And I wanted to find out why Pittsburgh has connected so well with women and it’s held on to them. And why when families move away, the women take the Steelers with them and why they’re such a national team. I was able to convince my editors, and they sent my mom and me to Pittsburgh for a week last year. And that was, by far, the coolest experience I’ve had because I was reporting a story that was really meaningful for a whole lot of Steeler fans across the country. But it was equally as meaningful to me, and I was learning about myself while I was reporting the story. So, it was really, really special.

Interview audio: https://soundcloud.com/eahanson12/emily-hanson-interview-with-alyssa-roenigk

Mel: The Sports Anchor Next Door

By: Emily Dick

7 News' Mel Busler

WATERTOWN, N.Y.-- As he balances his camera on his shoulder and sits along the third base line at a Watertown Rams baseball game, long-time sports anchor Mel Busler meticulously records each pitch, occasionally looking back to discuss the game with seasoned fans who call him by his first name.

“I take what I do seriously, but I don’t take who I am seriously.”

Those are the words Busler lives by. The modest reporter says he’s just doing what he loves, and he gets paid to do it. What he’s really doing is providing his 7 News viewers with quality sports coverage, a job he's been doing for 32 years.

Many aspiring journalists dream of making it big in a major sports city, but Busler is living his dream in his small upstate New York hometown. 

“I never really tried to get a job at another place. This is what I wanted to do, as a kid my goal was to work at channel 7,” Busler said.

He had an unusual start to his career. Busler worked at WATN Radio in Watertown after high school and worked his way into a part-time position at 7 News while he was attending junior college.

A few years later he was promoted to full time sports anchor.

Busler said he's never modeled his performance after anyone else, even though he’s been told he has Chris Berman’s “good looks”. Instead, he learned by gaining on-the-job experience and used his personality to make his sportscasts entertaining.

“I just wanted to have my own personality. I wanted to make my own niche,” Busler said. “I add humor to a lot of what I do. Whether it’s on the air doing a sportscast or if I’m doing crazy commercials.”

He soon became a local celebrity and prided himself on his ability to connect with his viewers.

“I like them to think of me as somebody you can have a beer with or could talk sports with,” Busler said. “When I walk around locally, they call me by my first name. ‘Hey Mel! Hey Mel! How ya’ doing?!’ And to tell you the truth, that’s the best compliment you can have.”

Although Busler’s unorthodox path was successful for him, it’s not something he recommends to aspiring journalists. He said having an education is very important. 

Even without that educational background, Busler continues to emulate his personal motto for the people of Watertown, especially when it comes to the local sports he grew up loving.

“I take seriously getting the message out,” he said. “I like to feel we give them professional style coverage, even though they’re not professionals.”

But as always, “Mel” refuses to take himself too seriously, “I’m the luckiest man in the world! That’s why I play the lottery all the time. If I could get a job doing this for a living then maybe someday I’ll hit the Mega Millions!”

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Mel Busler Interview Transcript

ED: Mel, you grew up in Watertown and you’ve been covering sports here for over 30 years. What kept your in Watertown and have you ever had a chance to leave?

MB: Well, I stayed in Watertown because I got married at 21, had a child at 22 and I’m from Watertown. It was kinda neat, I mean you're in your hometown, your family can watch, mom and dad can brag about their son, and I love the area. I mean I really don’t know any other area that would be better than here so I just stayed. I had a chance to go to a couple of other places. Peoria was one, sounds like the beginning of a punch line, but I never really tried to get a job at another place. This is what I wanted to do, as a kid my goal was to work at channel 7.

ED: Is there a certain story or game that you really enjoyed covering or that you’re proud of?

MB: I had the opportunity, and this is strange, I wasn’t even at the T.V. station, I was at the radio station at WATN Radio in Watertown and I had the chance to go to the 1980 Winter Olympics for 5 days, covered the Olympics for 5 days and saw the U.S. hockey team play twice, not against the Russians unfortunately, I think it was West Germany and Romania they played. I saw Eric Heiden who was a big speed skater skate twice. I remember being on White Face Mountain watching Ingemar Stenmark and the Mahre brothers from the U.S. ski. The strange part was, I was 21 and I knew it was big, but I wish I was older so maybe I would have appreciated it a little bit more. You know that the world’s watching, but I was so young, that I don’t know if I appreciated what I was witnessing. 

ED: Which broadcasters did you grow up idolizing or that you model yourself after? 

MB: Well they say I have good looks like Chris Berman, so I don’t know if that’s a compliment. I wish I had his wallet! There was really nobody, I just wanted to have my own personality. I wanted to make my own niche. I add humor to a lot of what I do. Whether it’s on the air doing a sportscast or if I’m doing crazy commercials or something like that. I kind of rely on my personality… my talent? Ehhh. But I think I have a halfway decent personality on the air so maybe that makes up for a lot of the faults.

ED: That actually brings me to my next question, especially for sportscasters, is there a line between entertainer and journalist?

MB: Yeah! I take seriously getting the message out. We cover high school games, we cover college games, we cover the local Rams or the semi-pro Watertown Red and Black football team and I like to feel we give them professional style coverage, even though they’re not professionals. Our bread and butter is sports and I take that seriously because we cover a three county area with high school teams. I do the best I can, but I like to present it in sort of an entertaining way, because it’s a visual medium. People either love you or they hate you, and you like to bring the sports in such a style that they’re getting information but they also appreciate that you’re the guy next door. I like them to think of me as somebody you can have a beer with or could talk sports with. When I walk around locally, they call me by my first name. “Hey Mel, Hey Mel, How ya’ doing?!’ And to tell you the truth that’s the best compliment you can have, is that they feel they know you. Even if I’ve never met them before, they feel as though I’m a familiar face and I’m approachable. 

ED: Any advice for a future journalist, either in sports or just in general?

MB: Yeah, don’t do it like I did it. I kind of lucked out. I worked at a radio station and wound up being a disc jockey. We used to play records, those were those tiny little vinyl things, I don’t know if you remember or not… and then was able to basically fall into the position that I’m in! I started working part time at the T.V. station and then after two years had a full time position. I mean, I’m not a graduate of Newhouse, I wish I was! Maybe I can get an honorary degree! Are you listening John? I went to junior college, I took a liberal arts thing and I just lucked out. It was all on-the-job training for me. Really, hands-on was something that was very important. The guy that was full-time taught me and was very helpful and then I started learning. We had just gone from film to tape, so I was working tape and now it’s non-linear and it’s this and it’s that, it’s stuff I didn’t have any educational background in, but maybe the best education I had was hands-on, being on the job and doing it. it worked out for me, but I don’t recommend that. I recommend people getting an education and a background in it, because when there are two people, one with an educational background and another one that doesn’t, they’re always going to lean toward the person who has that on their resume. So I’m the luckiest man in the world! That’s why I play the lottery all the time, if I could get a job doing this for a living then maybe someday I’ll hit the Mega Millions!  

Career Change Sends New Jersey Native to Newhouse

By: Emily Dick 

Rob Magobet

SYRACUSE, N.Y. --  Information technology to... journalism?

Rob Magobet planned to work in IT throughout his college career and beyond.

He grew up in a small town in southern New Jersey and moved away to follow his dream at Rutgers. Magobet loved his time at Rutgers, and after four years he graduated with a degree in IT. He went on to get a job as a help desk employee at a leading financial firm. 

Everything was going according to plan. That was until Magobet realized one day that he was just going through the motions. 

“I never wanted to be just one of those people who just went to a job everyday just to get a paycheck,” Magobet said.

He wanted to follow his passion, and that was to write about sports. 

Growing up following Philadelphia sports, Magobet idolized Stephen A. Smith, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Magobet saw how Smith transitioned from one aspect of journalism to another with ease. 

“His journalist ability, his ability to write and his ability to showcase his talents on T.V. is what really inspires me,” Magobet said.

Now, at the age of 28, Magobet is making his newly realized dream come true. 

“My goal here is definitely to work at the Daily Orange,” said Magobet. “I definitely want to get hands on experience as far as being in an actual news environment where I can build my skills.”

Now that Magobet has all the tools in front of him to make a successful career, he’s excited to make his mark on the sports journalism world. 

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Interview Transcript:

ED: You told me that you’re from South Jersey, what was it like growing up in your hometown?

RM: Well it’s a small town in south Jersey, maybe about 20 minutes way from Camden. It’s a town where everybody knows each other, a friendly town. It has a lot of building in it, and what I mean by that is that when I first moved there it was very country like, and about five, six years into it a lot of businesses were built. So the town is definitely great. I like it. It was where I was raised, I’ve been there since I was in 8th grade and I consider that my hometown.

ED: Why did you choose Rutgers for your undergrad?

RM: I chose Rutgers because it was kind of far away from Sicklerville, but it wasn’t that far where I could always come back home if I wanted to. Rutgers is a great New Jersey state school. It has great programs, a great IT program, and the reputation is very good too. So it’s a big school with a lot of things that you can do there, so that’s the reason why I chose it. 

ED: So after you graduated for Rutgers in 2010, you went on to be an IT specialist. What was your job like?

RM: I used to work at a job called Lincoln Financial Group where I was a help desk guy. I was a level one help desk guy. Basically I would help out my team modify IT applications. I would test out new IT apps on the computer. If employees inside the company had trouble with those apps it would be my job to see what the problem is and try to fix it. If I couldn’t fix it then I had to delegate the task to my other team. It was a full time job and it got me a lot of IT experience. 

ED: That’s a major switch from IT to journalism. What was the biggest reason why you wanted to change career paths?

RM: The reason is because when I was doing my job in IT, I felt as though IT really didn't matter to me. I never wanted to be just one of those people who just went to a job everyday just to get a paycheck. I know that’s essential, I know we live off of money, but I wanted to challenge myself and I really wanted to do something that draws my interest, and that’s always been sports. I’ve always been good at writing and I thought I’d combine the two. Syracuse has a great program so I applied here, and now I’m here!

ED: What’s one of the aspects of the program you are most looking forward to at Syracuse?

RM: I would say the aspect of being able to work at an actual news station. My goal here is definitely to work at the Daily Orange. I definitely want to get hands on experience as far as being in an actual news environment where I can build my skills and get better so those skills can translate to a job or internship after I graduate. I would say that and meeting some of the Syracuse alumni so they can provide me with tips and picking their brain to see what they were doing here at Syracuse so I can do it myself and get where they are right now. 

ED: At this point, what’s the end goal? The perfect career? The dream job?

RM: The goal after all of this would probably be to be a beat writer for a NBA team and I would definitely like to be on the radio and write columns that would be the end goal. I also want to be on TV too. I want to be able to do almost everything. I want to be a versatile journalist. I want to be able to hone my skills in writing, but be good on T.V. and radio too. 

ED: Is there a certain sports journalist who inspires you?

RM: Well, probably the number one sports journalist that inspires me would have to be Stephen A. Smith. He actually used to work for the Philadelphia Inquirer and I’m from that area. I’m from south Jersey, but anyone in south Jersey, we kind of associate ourselves with Philly. So I followed him ever since he was an upcoming journalist. He did a great job for the Sixers. He always had the same personality that he conveys on T.V. as he did in Philly. So his journalist ability, his ability to write and his ability to showcase his talents on T.V. is what really inspires me. 

ED: That’s great. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

RM: I would like to say, this is a great class. I feel as though this class is definitely going to help us all out. The program in its entirety is great. It’s definitely pushing us and challenging us. 

Deehan Dreams of Success Across the Pond.

By:  Joshua Carney 

Aspiring to be the next Bob Costas, Robin Deehan picked the right school to help her reach her goals as a broadcast digital journalist.

A 2010 graduate of The College of New Jersey where she played lacrosse, Deehan comes to Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications – the only place she applied – after working in ad sales for CNN for the past three years. 

"I knew that if I didn't get out of ad sales, I wouldn't get where I wanted to go," Deehan said.

Getting where she wants to go happens to be NBC Sports, where she hopes to be based in London covering the Barclays Premier League, as well as the Winter and Summer Olympics. 

"I want to be a news anchor for TV," Deehan said. "I watch a lot of [Bob] Costas because he is the face of NBC Sports when it comes to the Olympics. 

"That’s what I want to do. That’s what I have to do."

Having lived here entire life in the state of New Jersey, a life filled with success across the pond is a tall task for Deehan, but it's something that she's up for.

"I'm not a traveler or anything like that," she said. "But, i'm the type of person that will prove people wrong. That's who I am. That's how it's going to be."

Preferring television over radio, Deehan likes having a large platform to tell stories while expressing her passion.

"I like telling stories to people," she said. "What I love about sports in general is the passion behind it, obviously. I think those people abroad in England...soccer is their religion. They live and breathe it. So, that's the atmosphere that I want to be around because I'm a very passionate person.  I feel that it makes my passion grow."

I interviewed Robin Deehan, Friday, July 11 in food.com around 5:15 p.m. Robin is in the Broadcast Digital Journalism program Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. A graduate of The College of New Jersey where she played lacrosse, Deehan hopes to one day work for NBC Sports based in London covering the Barclays Premier League and the Olympics.

Q:  What role did sports play in your life growing up?

A:  “Sports played a huge role in my life. I was an athlete growing up, so I played my entire life. I played Division III field hockey and lacrosse at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), so I always liked being on a team. I always liked the competitive aspect. Being an athlete in the BDJ (Broadcast Digital Journalism) program gives me an advantage because everything is so fast-paced and deadline driven. You work with a team and you have to get it done. I think it's going to help me.”

Q:  How difficult it in college to balance the athletics part and the schoolwork?

A:   It was difficult. I actually went into school as a Pre-Med student. I was originally recruited to play lacrosse at TCNJ. The lacrosse coach is also the head coach for the field hockey program, so he was like ‘why don't you play field hockey? You're good at it, and you'll stay in shape for lacrosse season.’ So I was like, ‘yeah, no big deal.’ I was a three-sport high school athlete, so I can be a two-sport college athlete on top of my Pre-Med coursework. I did not work out. After that, I ended up switching from Pre-Med to communications, and after two years doing both sports, fall and spring, I was like, ‘I want a life. I want to enjoy my college years.’ So, I dropped field hockey and stuck with lacrosse all four years. It was difficult off the field, but...”

Q:  What did you do off of the field in terms of organizations or activities? Or, was it just the daily class-practice-sleep routine?

A:  It was an a.m. morning workout, class, practice, video, and then sleep. You're probably thinking, ‘Oh, it's just a DIII program.’ Well, we were the best program in the country. I made one Final Four appearance, and three Elite Eights appearances, so it wasn't like we were just some place where anybody can play.”

Q:  No time for organizations at all?

A:  Not at all.

Q:  Where did you go after graduation from TCNJ?

A:  I went to CNN.

Q:   What did you do there?

A:  I did account management. I worked in the ad sales department. We were responsible for running all of CNN's multi-million dollar advertising campaigns. So, all of the advertisements you see on CNN? I was basically putting them there. Not all of them, but a lot of them.

Q:  What pushed you to Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications?

A: I met with a couple of producers from CNN because I did always wanted to go to the broadcasting side of the business, but at a place like CNN where journalism is...you have to be good at it, you have to know how to do it. They're not going to take someone who's...just because you're in the company and you want to do this doesn't mean they're going to pull you into the business, so I needed to gain the experience. That's why I'm at Newhouse.

Q:  What was the application process like for Newhouse?

A:  It was horrible! I graduated in 2010 from college, so it has been eight years since I had applied to a college. I forgot about all of the stuff that I had to do, like taking the GRE's and getting letters of recommendation. It was stressful. I just forgot what it was like.

Q:  What's it like getting back into school?

A: Oh, I love it. I'm so happy. I feel that this is the best decision I've ever made.  When I was quitting CNN, I was a supervisor. I had five people working for me, and I was making good money. I lived in the city, so I kept asking myself, ‘Am I making a huge mistake?’ But, now that I'm here it was the best decision I've ever made.

Q:  What was the motivation behind coming to Newhouse?

A:  I want to be a sports broadcaster. 

Q:  Did you look anywhere else other than Newhouse?

A:  No, it was here or nowhere, really.

Q:  If you didnt get in at Newhouse, what were you going to do?

A: I would have tried something else, but I don't know what though. I didn't put too much thought into that.

Q:  What was your reaction like when you got accepted into Newhouse?

A:   Oh, I cried. I didn't tell anybody at work because I didn't want anyone to get mad, or let me go early. So, I had to keep it a secret. I got the email when I was at the desk. My employees were around and my boss was over here (pointing to her left), so I saw the email. I opened it, then went running to the bathroom and silently cried in the stall. It was such a relief. I felt that I was ready to move on.

Q:  When you finish the program at Newhouse, where do you see yourself working?

A:  NBC Sports.

Q: Yeah? Here in the U.S., or abroad?

A:  Abroad. With NBC Sports, I want to be based in London covering the Barclays Premier League, and then every two years get to cover the Olympics.  That's really my dream.

Q:  Would you like to stay there for good?

A:  As long as they're covering the Olympics I'd like to stay there. Not to mention that they have the No. 1 sports program every week in Sunday Night Football. That's a great opportunity, too. For me at least, I think that NBC Sports is the best at what they do. They're better than ESPN, and anyone else. I think the production quality is way better. The talent is way better, and I think they cover the best events, personally. I think that's where I want to be.

Q:  Are you more interested in the television side of things, or radio?

A:  The TV side.

Q:  Do you want to be on TV?

A:  Yes. I don't want to be a play-by-play, or a sideline reporter. I want to tell stories. For me, I want to do the post...say, like the Michael Phelps package after the Beijing Olympics, or Brandi Chastain ripping off her shirt in 1996. Next to that, I think Phelps winning those eight gold medals is the single-greatest sports event I've ever seen. So, I'd want to talk to him and do a reflection on his journey. I want to tell stories.

Q:  You're saying you want to bring the human aspect into sports, correct?

A:  Yes.

Q:  What is the most intriguing thing to you about going across the ocean and living in a foreign country to cover sports?

A:  What I love about sports in general is the passion behind it, obviously. I think those people abroad in England...soccer is their religion. They live and breathe it. So, that's the atmosphere that I want to be around because I'm a very passionate person. That's why I  don't think I could cover the NBA. It's all about the money in that league. Where's the fun in that? Show a little pride. Be proud of who you're playing for, the people whom you're playing for – your fans. I think the Premier League especially...yes, the players get paid millions of dollars to play soccer, but when it comes to the fans? I love their passion. I feel that it makes my passion grow.

Q:  In TV is there someone that you model yourself after, or do you take bits and pieces from a bunch of people?

A:  Bits and pieces mostly, but I want to do the Olympics, so Bob Costas obviously. Even when we were talking with Dan D'Uva (play-by-play guy for the AHL's Syracuse Crunch) he said that Costas was the best at mastering the language, and that's what you have to do to get into the business. It was perfect for me because I want to be him, basically. How better to watch than the face of the Olympics?

Q: Do you find yourself having a hard time to master the language?

A:  Absolutely. Doing what I...first off, I'm from New Jersey. I've never lived anywhere but New Jersey. I'm not a world traveler or anything like that. I read, but I feel that it is hard. He's been in the business a long time. He knows a lot about sports. I feel that it's going to be very hard for me to get that knowledge, it'll take me a long time, but...yeah.

Q:  Do you find it difficult trying to establish yourself as a sports anchor while being a woman?

A:  See, for me I don't find it difficult yet because I haven't really tried yet.

Q: What about at Newhouse?

A:  No, not at all. See, I'm the type of person that thrives off of that. If you're going to tell me I can't do something because I'm a woman, or I can't do it because of x-y-z, then I'm going to prove you wrong, that's how it's going to be.  There's no question that I'm going to prove you wrong. I thrive off of that. It motivates me. I'm happy that I'm in an industry that lit a fire under me to succeed and be better than them.

Q:  What's one thing you're looking to take out of your time at Syracuse? Is it tapping into the alumni network, or is it just getting that degree?

A: I need to learn the skills. I can't wait for our performance class in the fall because...

Q: What's that?

A:  For BDJ we have to take a performance class where we work on our broadcast voice. We work in front of a camera. Right now, we're doing radio. When I hear my voice I just cringe. I try talking in a different tone, or accenting different words, but it's still so cringe worthy. Obviously, I couldn't just go out right now and be a reporter because I don't how to present myself, or how to speak, or what kind of voice I should do. I'm going to learn all of those skills. I'm also looking forward to the editing. They teach you how to be a one-man band. In this day and age with Twitter and social media, you have to know how to do everything. If I can shoot something with my phone, then I can edit it and upload it. There's my piece. I have to learn all of that, and that's what this program is all about. That's why I'm all excited about it. Plus, it has the best alumni network. 

From Shanghai to Syracuse: How one student is getting more than just an education

 By: Danielle Kennedy 

Thomas Zhou

In the words of  AC/DC, “it’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll.”  For the next 13 months, Thomas Zhou is definitely ready to rock ‘n’ roll. 

As he waits at the bus stop in the morning wearing a gray AC/DC shirt and blue jeans, Zhou excitedly sparks up conversation with the stranger sitting next to him.  The 23-year-old is inquisitive, friendly, and thoroughly enjoys listening to others.

He’s also a long way from home.

Thomas graduated from Shanghai Maritime University in China with a degree in transportation and communication.  While at Shanghai Maritime, Zhou took journalism classes at Fundan University every Sunday for six months.  It was here that he realized his passion for writing and storytelling rather than science.  

Dissatisfied with his undergraduate studies and eager to learn more about news and American culture, Zhou enrolled in the Magazine, Newspaper, and Online Journalism Master’s program at Syracuse University. 

Now, he’s doing what he loves. 

“I just think that it’s a good opportunity if I can have a job that enables me to see the world with my own eyes as well as to know other people and to see the world from their perspective,” Zhou said. 

As a former college soccer player and Manchester United fan, Zhou’s passion for sport led him to study sports communication at Syracuse.  On his free time, he enjoys shooting hoops with his friends.  He says he isn’t very good, but if he is as good at basketball as he is at making friends, Zhou will emulate Carmelo Anthony in no time.

“I have the chance to meet with new people with different backgrounds and they are very kind to me so that’s a new experience for me,” Zhou said. 

Everyday he challenges himself to step outside of his comfort zone.  In the classroom especially, Zhou is making sure he’s paving the way for a bright future.  

“I don’t care if it’s print or an online institution, as long as I have the opportunity to work with the news," Zhou said.  "I just want to learn here because the environment is different and the way of the teaching is different so I just want to capture the opportunity in the university to be prepared for the future.” 

Whether he is waiting at the bus stop or in the field covering a story, taking advantage of every opportunity to learn something new is exactly what Zhou will continue to do.  He may be far from home, but he’s not far from the top.  

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Q:  Thomas, can you start by telling me a little bit about yourself?

A:  I’m a student from China, I’m from Shanghai and my bachelor’s degree is from Shanghai Maritime University.  After that I sort of had a gap year and then I came to Syracuse because I really wanted to learn something about news and the university offered a great combination of the fields that interest me so that’s why I came here and I am looking forward to it.

Q:  Why did you change from a science major to journalism and how did that happen?

A:  Well I was always fond of the magic of the words and I did not like what I learned at college very much.  I don’t think I can do it very well if I’m not interested in it and I just want to be in a field that I like so I changed my mind and want to learn the specific knowledge of news.

 

Q:  What is it about news that has made you want to learn about it? 

A:  I just think that it’s a good opportunity if I can have a job that enables me to see the world with my own eyes as well as to know other people and to see the world from their perspective. 

Q:  Why did you want to incorporate the sports concentration into your studies?

A:  Actually, I’m a sports fan and I think that it’s a good approach for me to learn sports and be familiar with the American culture and so that’s why I chose the sports journalism class.

Q:  Do you have a favorite team?

A:  My favorite team is the Manchester United in soccer and in premiere, I think the English soccer teams.

Q:  Do you play soccer or basketball?

A:  I was enrolled in our university college soccer team back in China and I play basketball with my friends.  Not that I’m saying I’m good, but I try.

Q:  What do you do on the weekends? Do you have any hobbies?

A:  If I have the chance to meet with friends then we play sports together but if I’m alone then I do some reading or such kind of things. 

Q:  Can you tell me about your favorite part of studying in America?  

A:  It’s a difference environment.  Although, I have been there before…in high school, I had the chance to be here in a summer camp but it’s totally different.  I have to live independently and this is my first time living away from home.  I have to cook on my own, which I’m not good at, but I find it interesting because I have the chance to meet with new people with different backgrounds and they are very kind to me so that’s a new experience for me.  I think I’m ready to get familiar with it.

Q:  How are you adjusting to the American culture…you know, you’re learning how to cook and all of these things, and so what else are you doing?

A:  I’m not good at cooking but I’m not particular about what I eat so there is not really anything I can do with the cooking, I just cook and I eat but what I do find interesting is to talk with people here.  Back in China, we do not talk to people as often as we do here.   For example, if I’m waiting for the school bus, I can have a chat with the other person but back in China, we just stood there and wait.  That’s the kind of experience I’m interested in and I think it’s good for me to get accustomed to the environment. 

Q:  What do you hope to do in the field of journalism when you graduate?

A:  I just want to be in the news field and I think it’s good for me to be heard with specific knowledge so I don’t care if it’s print or online institution, as long as I have the opportunity to work with the news so I just want to learn here because the environment is different and the way of the teaching is different so I just want to capture the opportunity in the university to be prepared for the future. 

Q:  Is there a specific goal in mind that you how to accomplish?

A:  I don’t but I think that its good for me to learn whatever is new here because the way of teaching here is different and it involves a lot of practicing and a lot of new experiences so at the same time, while I’m learning, it’s a good experience for me to see with my own eyes so I enjoy it. 

Q:  How would you describe yourself?

A:  You mean my character, right?  I think I’m easy going because I have a lot of friends and not only, um, I’m not the speaking person but I’m good at listening and so I think that’s why my friends trust me a lot and that’s basically what I think makes me different from others. 

Q:  Is there anything that you’d like to add?

A:  I think there are going to be a lot of challenges for me here because the language is different and everything is new and I still haven’t completely got out of my comfort zone because everyday I still talk to my Chinese friends so I think it might be a good opportunity for me to walk out of my comfort zone and meet with more natives.

Q:  What are you doing so far to step out of that comfort zone?

A:  I intentionally chose to live in an apartment that does not contain many Chinese friends so it’s kind of a separation from the whole group but actually I haven’t got the chance to talk to many Americans.  The Chinese are everywhere…there are still many Chinese here so I just want to seize every opportunity.  For example, when I take a bus, I can talk to the people sitting around me or in class when I’m sitting around a stranger, just say hello to him or her and just do those kinds of things just to get out of my comfort zone.

Q: What kind of things are you learning about the American culture?

A:  I’m sort of prepared for the change and I know a lot from the news.  I think I’m doing okay and there is not such a big difference after I left my home country.  But there is something that I have learned, for example, at the orientation, teachers and professors prefer to be named after “professor” instead of “miss or mrs” so that kind of thing I found interesting and that I should pay attention to but I’m not sure if it is applied for everyone.

First to the Finish Line

By Jonathan Kahn – SYRACUSE, NY (Newhouse Sports)

Nicole Todd wanted to be the first one to finish everything, from high school to undergrad and even graduate school its’ all about who is first.

 “I want to be the first one from 2011 in my high school to get a diploma,” Todd said. “Now I’m going to be the first one with a master’s degree, while they get a bachelor’s.”

Growing up in Herkimer it was the sense of community that Todd liked. Staying near her family is important as well.

 “My family plays an important role in my life, so it’s nice to be close to them,” Todd said. “After high school I went to community college at Herkimer County Community College. Then I transferred to SUNY Oneonta, which again was only an hour drive away from home. Again family playing an important role and being close to them.”

 After high school it only took 3 years for Todd to get her bachelor’s degree, she said it started back in high school.

 “In senior year of high school in 2011 I took a bunch of College Now courses, I did advanced placement also and then when I went to college I was taking 18 or more credits every semester, and I did summer and winter minis to graduate 1 whole year early.”

 Her passion for sports came at an early age. In high school she played tennis, bowling, track, and cheerleading. Then at Herkimer Community College she was on the cross-country and tennis team.

At Oneonta her sports knowledge led to a freelance job with the Daily Star. It was the New York Times but Todd enjoyed her time there.

 “I was in the sports department. I was a freelancer for them and it was fun. It was during basketball season so there was always something going on,” Todd said.

 Syracuse University runs in the family, but Todd wanted her own experience.

“Both my parents got their Masters here from SU back in the day. I want to follow in their footsteps, but take my own path with broadcasting and what I like to do.”

Interview With Nicole Todd

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Interview

JK: What was it like growing up in Herkimer?

NT: Growing up in Herkimer was very fun.  It was a close-knit community and it’s only an hour away from Syracuse, so I’m still close to home.

JK: Is being close to home something you put a lot of value in?

NT: Yes, my family plays an important role in my life, so it’s nice to be close to them.

JK: After high school you stayed close to home for your undergraduate work?

TD: Yes. After high school I went to community college at Herkimer County Community College. Then I transferred to SUNY Oneonta, which again was only an hour drive away from home. Again family playing an important role and being close to them.

JK: What did you most enjoy at you time at Oneonta?

NT: I enjoyed being involved in the clubs I was in and the people I became friends with.

JK: What were some of the clubs you were involved with?

NT: I became treasurer of the communication arts society and I put a lot of effort into the program that we went down to city and to make a marketing campaign.

JK: You also did a little writing for the paper at your school, correct?

NT: The daily star in downtown Oneonta.

JK: What did you do for them?

NT: I was in the sports department. I was a freelancer for them and it was fun. It was during basketball season so there was always something going on.

JK: Is there a favorite story that you got to cover that sticks with you?

NT: It was mostly high school sports, which I’m not that interested in reporting on. So it was fun, but nothing that stood out to me.

JK: You finished your undergraduate work in 3 years, how did you get that done?

NT: In senior year of high school in 2011 I took a bunch of College Now courses, which are course you can take while being a high school student and get college credit for. I did advanced placement also and then when I went to college I was taking 18 or more credits every semester, and I did summer and winter minis to graduate 1 whole year early.

JK: Why did you want to do that?

NT: Oh wow, I like to stay busy. So doing classes and being productive was pretty easy to do.

JK: Was graduating early, did you have a plan, I want to graduate in 3 years because I want to do… what?

NT: I didn't really have a plan. It was more of I want to be the first one from 2001 in my high school to get a diploma and now I going to be the first one with a master’s degree, while they get a bachelor’s.

 JK: The competitiveness of your classmates is something that really excited you?

NT: Yeah, definitely. I like to be competitive.

JK: Any sports you played growing up?

NT: In high school I did track, tennis, bowling and cheerleading. Then in college I did cross country and tennis.

JK: You are taking 18 plus credits a semester while playing sports, how did you find the time to do all of that?

NT: it was very time consuming, very difficult. But then when I transferred to Oneonta I did not play any sports because I knew I couldn’t keep up with the NCAA and college classes at the same time.

JK: You are here at Syracuse University now, Broadcast and Digital Journalism, what drew you to this program. What made you wan to come to Syracuse?

NT: Well the program in general is number 1 for what we are here to do, so that was an obvious. I only applied here; I kind of had a little push because both my parents got their Masters here from SU back in the day. I want to follow in their footsteps, but take my own path with broadcasting and what I like to do.

JK: Had you not of gotten into SU, was there a plan B?

NT: Go into the work field, I only applied here.

JK: What sort of work field did you want to get involved in?

NT: Anywhere they would accept me.

JK: You are also part of the sports Communication Emphasis, you played sports growing up. How much did that affect you wanting to get into the sports side of journalism?

NT: Well sports to me has always been interesting. It’s an ongoing thing, it’s always in the news.  There is always stuff going on, and its just fun to watch. To be a spectator and reporting on it seems very fun and interesting and your always going to be busy doing it.

JK: If this was graduation day and someone walked up to you and said, “Nicole I have an offer here for your dream job.” What would that offer be? What would that dream job be if you could have any job?

NT: I think anyone’s dream job in this industry would be working for a big network, such as ESPN or NBC Sports or anywhere. I don't really have a dream job, just being in the field locally or big name would be happy.

Jim Boeheim on Football

A few years ago I interviewed Syracuse University Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim talking about football, something he knows a lot about, it turns out. The interview was broadcast on our pre-game show on WSYR Radio in Syracuse.Jim Boeheim on Football