By Anthony Pucik
I usually dedicate a small column on whatever topic I wish to address, usually something involving sports. This time, however, it is going to be a bit different; sports will be mentioned, but I will not be talking about the 1980 USA Miracle on Ice team or the recent changes to NHL rules (you can find that in the Sports section this week). Instead, I will be reflecting on my time here at Fordham and at The Fordham Ram. The first semester of my senior year is more than half over, which means at the end of this semester, I will no longer be Sports Editor here at The Fordham Ram, and will be one step closer to ending my Fordham career. For freshmen, sophomores or even juniors reading this, I have one piece of advice: follow your dreams.
I know it sounds cliche or sappy, but it is a good piece of advice to hold onto, especially of a university like Fordham. You are just a train ride away from the greatest city in the world, one of the media capitals of the world and a place rich in culture and history. Whatever your passion is, you will be sure to find something here that appeals to your interests.
Fordham was admittedly not my first choice for college. Having a passion for sports journalism, I wanted to attend Syracuse’s Newhouse program, one of the most prestigious communications programs in the country. I ended up getting in, but it did not make sense financially for me to attend, so I decided on Fordham instead. Looking back on it, it was the best decision I could have ever made. When I got to Fordham, I involved myself in anything possible involving journalism and broadcasting. I was not even aware of the existence of WFUV, Fordham’s public radio station, before coming, but I was aware of the long line of famous broadcasters that had passed through the Rose Hill campus. So I began as a trainee in the WFUV Sports program, wrote an NHL blog here at The Fordham Ram and became the Rangers correspondent on Overtime, Fordham’s TV sports talk show.
Fordham’s numerous opportunities have been dreams come true. I have spent time in the Rangers and Yankees locker rooms as a beat reporter for WFUV, gone from writer to Sports Editor here at The Fordham Ram and currently intern at Madison Square Garden as a production student associate at MSG Networks. I am now also currently the assistant sports manager at the station and have been given to opportunity to witness a Triple Crown race at the Belmont Stakes, perform a live radio show from Citi Field and the U.S. Open and spend Hall of Fame Weekend in Cooperstown, New York, this past summer. I have also covered the Stanley Cup playoffs, been in the Yankees’ locker room after they clinched a postseason birth and have been given a chance to work at a place I have considered my second home since I was taken to my first Rangers game as a six-year-old with my father. This would not have been possible without all the opportunities Fordham offers and a drive to do what I love: be involved in sports.
I advise all of you to do what I have done. Maybe do not go cover the Yankees or spend numerous hours in the McGinnley basement on Monday and Tuesday nights, but follow your dreams. It could be art, music, politics or whatever it is that interests you. Do what you love no matter who tells you how difficult it will be, and get involved as early in your Fordham career as possible. Fordham and New York City have options for all interests and if you are passionate about what you are doing, you will be sure to find something you love. But I do warn you, it will make time go a lot faster. If you think your college career is going by quickly now, just wait until you are a senior.
