Radio Row Campaign Poster
Photo Courtesy of WSBU The Buzz
BY: CASSIDEY KAVATHAS, ADVISORY EDITOR
“Are you ready for it?” Six members of WSBU 88.3 “The Buzz’s” staff could face Taylor Swift as they head to the world’s biggest stage. For the sixth time, third consecutively, “The Buzz”, St. Bonaventure University’s student-run radio station, will attend Super Bowl Radio Row.
Steven Stutz, Nathan Solomon, Jonny Walker, Thomas Baia, Isaac Howson and Stephen Scheppner will represent St. Bonaventure University as they make the journey to Las Vegas, Nevada. This trip wouldn’t have been possible without Isaiah Blakely ‘20 and Joe Ceraulo ‘20, former sports directors, and Steve Wilt ‘20, former station manager who got “The Buzz” to Radio Row for the first time in 2018. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Tom Seipp ‘23, former station manager, got “The Buzz” back to Radio Row in 2022.
“Representing such a great school and radio station at such a large event is such a wholesome experience,” said Stutz, a senior marketing and psychology double major and station manager. “Coming from a small school in the middle of nowhere and following our passions in this big stage event is simply surreal.”
Shows will run Feb. 5-9 on the station. Formerly, the shows have featured special guests such as Pat McAfee, a former punter for the Indianapolis Colts and host of the Pat McAfee show; KJ Osborn and Jerry Jeudy, NFL wide receivers for the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos respectively; Lavonte David, a linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Kyle Larson, 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion; Joe Kelly, a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers; and Kevin Harlan, a CBS Sports and Westwood One broadcaster.
“This will be my third time going, and each time I’ve gone, it’s been an incredible experience,” said Solomon, a senior sports media major and sports director. “The opportunity to broadcast in the same setting as some of the best in the world is a dream come true.”
The broadcast schedule is Monday 6-9 p.m.; Tuesday 6-9 p.m.; Wednesday 1-2 p.m., 4-6 p.m. and 8-9 p.m.; Thursday 1-2 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.; and Friday 1-2 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.
“We’ll be broadcasting daily from the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, previewing the big game and interviewing high-profile guests,” said Solomon. “We’ll also have the opportunity to attend Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night in Allegiant Stadium to speak with competing players and coaches.”
This year, “The Buzz” will bring three new faces with them to broadcast.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be one of two juniors selected to go to Radio Row with WSBU. This is not only a great opportunity to get ‘The Buzz’s’ name out there, but our individual names as well. I just want to thank the guys in the station who selected me and gave me this amazing opportunity,” said Scheppner, a junior sports media major and sports staffer. “I’m there to learn.”
For many sports staffers with “The Buzz”, making in to Radio Row has been an opportunity to strive for.
“It’s an honor. It’s something I have been working on for my past two years at the station and I simply can’t wait to be down there and start producing content,” said Howson, a junior sports media major, production director and sports staffer. “I’ve been listening to it at the station for the past years and just can’t wait.”
The atmosphere of a national media event can also provide a new learning environment.
“Outside of the weather change, I look forward to working around other sports media professionals,” said Howson. “I feel like I’m going to learn so much about the world I might step into after graduation and hopefully develop some new contacts as well when I’m down there.”
Baia, a senior sports media major and sports staffer, expects the environment to be high-pressure and chaotic.
Besides broadcasting, the members going will get a chance to explore everything that Las Vegas has to offer.
“Sin City, baby. But in all seriousness, I will either be winning back the cost of the trip or paying for two trips, depending on how the slots treat me,” joked Walker, a senior sports media major and sports director. Walker made note that the members won’t be gambling during their stay.
While the members won’t announce their official picks for the Super Bowl winner until Friday’s broadcast, the group is leaning towards a Kansas City Chiefs win.
“It’s hard to not go with the Chiefs,” said Howson. “I honestly don’t mind the Taylor Swift Super Bowl either. I’m all for new eyes on the sport and hopefully, we could possibly get an interview or something with her when we’re down there.”
The group would like to thank Rob Defazio, associate dean for student life, and Jenna Keppel, assistant director for student activities for helping organize the trip as well as
Brian Matthews and Brian Fitzgerald, NFL executives and St. Bonaventure alums, who have been supporters of WSBU at Radio Row.
“I can confidently say that the first two years I went were two of the best weeks of my life. We’ve got a great crew coming this year and I’m excited to see what we’ll accomplish,” said Solomon.
kavathcj20@bonaventure.edu
