From IC to the NHL, While Still at IC

By Kim Wunner, June 1, 2026

Rising Junior Sierra “CeCe” Gabriel ’28 is already doing what she came here to learn to do.

Gabriel running through the script for NHL Hockeyverse Weekly Wrap-Up

Gabriel on location at the NHL in New York City running through the script for NHL Hockeyverse Weekly Wrap-Up. Photo Credit: the NHL.

Ithaca College Junior Sierra “CeCe” Gabriel is a character—an animated character, that is. For the NHL. That’s right: there is nothing “aspiring” about this Sports Media major. She is already doing exactly what she set out to do.

It was the Sports Media program and the Park Scholars program that brought Gabriel to the Roy H. Park School of Communications from her hometown of Putnam Valley, New York, about an hour north of New York City.

She was certain about what she wanted to do—sports journalism —a clarity that came to her later in high school.

That certainty was rooted in two lifelong passions. Gabriel has always loved sports. She was a four-year varsity starter and two-year captain of her high school field hockey team, alongside a successful track and field career. Her entire family are devoted New York sports fans—the Mets and the Knicks all the way.

At the same time, she described herself as an avid storyteller. “I just loved hearing people’s stories. I love telling stories as well.”

For years, those two interests existed side by side, but separately. It was her mother who saw what Gabriel couldn’t yet articulate. “My mom said one day, ‘You have a little bit of a reporter voice. Maybe you should give that a shot.’”

Her parents even discovered a sports journalism camp for high school students and encouraged her to try it. At the time, Gabriel wasn’t convinced.

A few years later, she is a college sports media major—and an animated character for the NHL. The question naturally follows: How did that happen?

It started at MetLife Stadium…and includes an important role for a notable Ithaca College alum.

THE STARTING LINEUP

Her senior year in high school, Gabriel was at MetLife Stadium (home of the New York Giants) because the student manager of the football team was getting an award from the NFL team at an event called Heart of a Giant. Sierra was there serving in the capacity of a creative media manager after doing that kind of work—shooting video, making graphics, and conducting postgame interviews —for her high school sports teams since her sophomore year.

Lead sports anchor at WNBC-TV Bruce Beck ’79 was also at MetLife Stadium that day covering the event as a feature story. Gabriel was his point of contact for photos and “b-roll” video of the awardee.

Beck also happens run the Bruce Beck Sports Broadcasting Camp for high school students to learn sports journalism—the very camp that Gabriel’s parents had told her about. He was impressed with Gabriel, offered her a scholarship, and she attended the camp two years in a row.

By then, Gabriel had already submitted her college applications which included IC and application to the Park Scholar Program, which offers full tuition, room, and board to Park students who maintain high grades and demonstrate service and leadership in the community while earning their degree—a distinction she ultimately earned.

It was only later that she learned he was an alumnus.

Her parents’ words, the camp, her love of sports and storytelling – it all “unfolded” as Gabriel puts it and she arrived on campus.

FROM DAY ONE, YOU’RE ON

Gabriel on set hosting IC's Big Red Faceoff on ICTV. Photo Credit: IC Multimedia Team.

The Park School has a phrase that is more than just a marketing slogan— “From day one, you’re on!” First-year students are given immediate access to equipment, on-air roles, and real opportunities. It’s exactly what Gabriel was looking for—and she wasted no time stepping into it.

She quickly immersed herself in ICTV’s athletic programming. She was an associate producer for Bombers Live , a live-streaming program for IC’s sporting events, host of Next Player Up , and a reporter for Big Red Faceoff and Sports Final . She also served as a commentator for Ithaca Athletics and the NFHS Network and was a co-anchor for Sports Final this semester, which has won a College Broadcast Award from College Broadcasters, Inc. for Best Live Sportscast.

In his role as the Media Post-Production Facilities Manager in the Park School, DiAndre Summerville gets to work with just about every student that passes through. He notes that Gabriel came to campus with focus. “Park provides students with opportunities, which are plenty, which helps them to be prepared for whatever they may experience when they leave.Even though Park prides itself on a hands-on atmosphere, the student still needs to go get it. Sierra is definitely a go getter. She was on air in her third week of college and has not let up as a sophomore.”

By the time another opportunity came along, Gabriel was ready. Beck told her about an on-air host position open on NHL Hockeyverse Weekly Wrap-up , a 30-minute animated weekly show airing internationally on the NHL Network, Sportsnet (Canada), Wild Brain and the Wild Brain Action Arena on YouTube. The show features real NHL game highlights, transformed into animation to engage younger audiences. Instead of the commentators sitting at a traditional desk, they are wearing hockey jerseys and are in fictional environments. The entire thing is animated, including the on-air commentators. CeCe is on-air but as an animated character of herself.

She auditioned, and because she had already earned on-air experience, she was ready and got the job.

As Beck puts it, “The thing I love about IC and Park is that it allows students to get involved as freshmen. Many other top communication schools do not. IC equips students for the real world. By offering meaningful reps (industry vocabulary for repetitions or consistent practice opportunities) to students and real-life experiences.”

Sierra "Cece" Gabriel '28 is an on-air animated personality on NHL Hockeyverse Weekly Wrap-up, a 30-minute animated weekly show. Photo Credit: The NHL.

One of the coolest things about the NHL Hockeyverse is that you’re talking to an audience of kids. Different generations have their own lingo, so I try to weave that in—whether it’s saying ‘fire’ or ‘chat’—those little things adults might not always get, but kids will. I’m learning how to produce TV for a completely different audience than I usually do.”

And then, there’s something even bigger.

“Being a person of color—and hopefully being an encouragement to others who look like me, to say, ‘She’s in hockey. I want to be like her one day’—that means a lot.”

She pauses in that thought, then adds:

“It warms my heart to think about that—to be, hopefully, an inspiration to other boys and girls who look like me.”

What’s next for CeCe? She earned a summer internship as a sideline reporter for the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod Baseball League in Massachusetts.

In the end, Gabriel’s story isn’t just about breaking into the industry early. It’s about what happens when passion meets possibility—and when someone begins to see themselves not just in the story, but as the one helping tell it.

Game On

The Sports Media Program at the Roy H. Park School of Communications offers students the opportunity to produce and broadcast live sporting events, from day one.

Park Scholars

Park Scholars develop leadership skills through excellence in academics; commitment to service; and passion for responsible, ethical communications. The Park Scholar Program covers full tuition and room and board at Ithaca College for a select few, outstanding students enrolled in the Roy H. Park School of Communications.