When college sports abruptly ended in early spring, so did the experiences of a group of WAER Sports staff members. Students who staff the Sports Department spend most of their four years in college honing their craft, first in an effort to get 'cleared' for air, then presenting sportscasts, stories, and our game broadcasts.
This year, Sports Director Jack McMullen, Jonathon Hoppe, Tim Leonard, JD Raucci, Jonah Karp, Brendan Mortensen and Luc Sigaud had their tenure cut short. In fact, some of them were on scene at the Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball Tournment in Greensboro, NC when the lights went out on the season, eventually cancelling the entire NCAA Basketball tournment, into which the Syracuse Orange was trying deperately to play.
(WAER Sports wins Syracuse Press Club Awards)
The students all left Syracuse once campus closed to in-person classes. They finished their education but they felt as though there was unfinished business. So they each crafted an outgoing message that captured their thoughts and feelings about WAER, including their experiences and growth.
(You can still follow WAER Sports, including new content, news and podcasts on Twitter @WAERSports)
WAER SENIORS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES
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Jack McMullen laments not being able to thank the individuals that made his experience rewarding, including WAER's professional staff, as well as all his classmates and those that came before him to set a high bar of expectation.
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JD Raucci knew about the legacy of WAER and its alumni, Bob Costas, Mike Tiricio and Ian Eagle and wanted to be part of that group. But he did not realize how much he'd grow and the experiences he'd have with colleagues on road trips, including the ill-fated ACC Tournment this year.
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Jonah Karp finds it odd to talk about his WAER career in the past tense. He says WAER helped a shy kid find his voice, and his identity, which he's turning into a career. IN his farewell, he thanks staff that helped make his experience possible, but also family who supported him along the way.
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Jonathon Hoppe remembers begin pushed by his classmates to be a better broadcaster and person. He recalls a Syracuse-Duke basketball game where technical problems threatened the broadcast. But staff worked together to come through and solve the problem, perhaps a better experience than the game itself.
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Luc Sigaud called the guidance from WAER professional staff incredible, while remembering the bonds with his classmates. He'll take with him the adrenaline rush that came before each and every broadcast.
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Tim Leonard remembers his first day at WAER, trekking from his freshman dorm at 4:45 am, not really knowing the station's legacy. But he pledged to work hard and appreciates classmates for always being there for him. He says he'd give anything to have one more late-night staff meeting with the group.
