12/04/2019
That's our President Ryan Connell. What a great representative of our club and Hofstra University. We are very proud of him!
I’ve been running competitively since the sixth grade and always wanted to run at the NCAA level. When I came to college, I ran as part of Hofstra’s running club until I was asked to join our new track team – a dream come true. I also had a part in helping recruit students for the team. As for radio, last year I was the Islanders producer for WRHU Sports. I’m trying to pursue a career as an on-air broadcaster, which is exactly what I’ve been doing here at Hofstra. In addition to my work with the Islanders, I got to do play-by-play for the CAA tournament for Hofstra Men’s Basketball this year. And my calls have been featured on Sports Center, as well. I’ve gotten a wealth of experience at WRHU.
It’s cool when there’s crossover between my life as an athlete and my life as a reporter. For example, when I approach a fellow D1 athlete as a member of the media, I’m looked at differently. It’s a different role. But I try not to change my approach all that much. I keep the same professional and yet collegial demeanor whether I’m interacting with athletes as one myself or as a reporter asking them for quotes.
My advice to anyone in life is to make your endeavors personal. Whether you’re running to get in shape or relieve stress, if you hit a wall, just remember why you started running in the first place. Sometimes I travel with WRHU during holidays. It’s not what a lot of people my age do, but I enjoy it. And I’m on a mission. So whenever I’m thinking I’d rather be home enjoying a break, I just remember why I I’m doing this. It all comes down to what you want to accomplish in the end. I’m here at Hofstra to give myself the best chance to get the experience I need to get me where I want to be in the future.
Ryan Connell '19
Broadcast Journalism
The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University
Hofstra Pride