Forewords

Andrew sought a college where he could immerse himself in his passion for sports media and take advantage of as many hands-on learning opportunities as possible.   

After learning he’d earned a Park Scholar Award, Andrew toured IC virtually and then went in person a few weeks later. Right from the start, the Ithaca community and campus made an impression on him—most especially the professional level of the Park School’s television and radio studios, which Andrew viewed as being on par with ESPN (a place he’d visited as a Flutie fellow). But he was most surprised and thrilled during his tour as a prospective student when he not only sat in on a show but also got behind a camera. 

“I knew if they were giving experience to someone who wasn't even a student yet,” said Andrew, “I'd be able to do whatever I wanted to do right out of the gate. They really just confirmed everything I had thought about Ithaca when I was able to come in person.” Now that he officially works in the studio, Andrew is referred to as “the guy [who] was on air since Day Negative One.”   

Also during that momentous tour, Andrew met the sports media professor Ellen J. Staurowsky, who would become one of his most inspiring role models. "She has insight on sports that nobody else I know has,” said Andrew.  

At IC, Andrew has now learned about every position in the studio—from writing to crew and live broadcasting—in only his first year. He also found an inclusion course taught by assistant professor Jessie Kanowitz Tonjes that gave him a safe space to open up about his experience with autism. 

Andrew’s ultimate goal involves blending his love of sports media and service—and finding ways to give back to the communities that have helped him to thrive. “When I found the Park scholarship, I just saw the overlap between media and service. That’s something I’ve been passionate about,” said Andrew.  

In keeping with the Park scholarship’s emphasis on service and leadership in the media, recently Andrew started working to create promotional content for ACEing Autism at Cornell University—an organization he was involved with as a kid. He hopes to have an impact on the program on a national scale.  

“I’d say my hope is as much as possible for people with disabilities to have the same sports experiences as anyone else,” explained Andrew.   

Andrew’s next move? He just scored his own talk show on  VIC radio, a rare feat for a first-year student. Cities of Champions, pits a Boston sports fan (Andrew) against a New York sports fan. According to Andrew, “If you like to hear trash talk, if you like to hear fun sports debates, Cities of Champions is the place!”