Students began to form a line as early as 5 a.m. in order to see Al Roker '76 and be part of the NBC “Today” show broadcasts from SUNY Oswego’s new Campus Center Oct. 18.

Roker was visiting Oswego as the moderator of the third annual Louis A. Borrelli Jr. '77 Media Summit, held Oct. 17, which he and summit founder Borrelli renamed in honor of their admired professor, Dr. Lewis B. "Doc" O’Donnell, who passed away Aug. 28.

Students showed their enthusiasm for the “Today” broadcasts with large colorful signs covered in witty sayings, such as: “Oswego Loves Al,” “Al, You’re my Hero,” “Hi Mom,” “Al Roker for President,” and “Happy Al-Oween.”

One group of students wore bathrobes and slippers, while another student wore a neon green wig and painted his face green and yellow. The first 1,000 people to arrive at the Campus Center for the event received free bright yellow T-shirts which read “Oswego on Today” to wear during the broadcast.

Jaclyn Guilfoyle '11, Tim Fischofer '11 and Kellie Schieber '11 said that they stayed up all night to attend the “Today” broadcast. “It’s exciting,” said Guilfoyle. “But, if we had gone to sleep we might not have woken up in time.”

From 5 to 7 a.m., local NBC affiliate WSTM broadcast live from the Campus Center, with meteorologist Chris Brandolino '96 interviewing President Deborah F. Stanley and Roker. 

Between 7 and 9:45 a.m. seven short live remotes took place, some in the new Al Roker ’76 WTOP Television Studio, others outdoors from the plaza circle entrance to the Campus Center, and the final broadcasts took place in the Campus Center ice arena and convocation center.

  As Roker showed off the new WTOP studio on “Today” he said, “I am so proud.” He joked with his co-hosts at NBC that with the hands-on experience students will receive in the studio, “Future broadcast students will be able to come in and take our jobs.”

General Manager of WTOP Jaclyn Kahn '08 said, “This morning was an amazing experience for WTOP to have Al use our brand new studio, as well as for us to see how production out in the field is created.”

Underwriter Director Jason Siegel '08 said that the day’s events gave him “a vision of what to shoot for in the future.”

Editor-in-chief of The Oswegonian Anthony Borrelli '08 said that the “Today” broadcast was a wonderful opportunity for all members of campus media to observe the pros in action. “It’s good exposure for the school and it’s great to be a part of seeing such a successful alumnus return," he added.

When Roker broadcast outdoors from the plaza circle, students, faculty, staff and community members gathered   around and cheered. Roker wore a gold and green hockey jersey with “Roker 76” written on the back, complemented by an Oswego baseball cap. He took the time to shake as many hands as he could and sign autographs. Groups such as Colleges Against Cancer, WTOP and the SUNY Oswego Cheerleaders gathered at the front of the crowd. “R-O-K, We Love Al Roker,” shouted the cheerleaders.

The atmosphere for the ice arena broadcasts was exhilarating. The audience sipped hot chocolate and coffee supplied by the Alumni Association, while the Oswego Jazz Project provided entertainment. The men’s and women’s hockey teams took the ice in uniform, and technology majors showed off their prized project, the remote-controlled mini Zamboni.

  During the first arena broadcast, Roker joined the students in the audience as they gathered around him to cheer and wave signs. The final broadcast of the day was a short food segment from the ice arena, featuring Bill Greene Jr. of the Oswego Sub Shop, Nick Canale Jr. of Canale’s Restaurant and Sally Flack of Stone’s Homemade Candies.

“I’m amazed and proud that our school can be on TV for millions of people to see,” said an enthusiastic Elizabeth Palma '08 as she cheered from the audience.

— Kristin Quinn '08

PHOTO CAPTIONS:
PHOTO ONE:
Al Roker '76 signed posters and greeted students in the stands at the new Campus Center arena, during his "Today" show broadcast Oct. 18.

PHOTO TWO:
Al Roker '76 was on campus for the Media Summit and the dedication of the Al Roker '76 Television Studio for student-run TV station WTOP. He broadcast two "Today" show remotes from the new studio.

PHOTO THREE:
Wearing an Oswego Lakers hockey jersey with his class year as a number, Al Roker '76 visited with students outside the new Campus Center, before a live national audience.

PHOTO FOUR:
Al Roker '76 jokes on air with fellow alumnus, WSTM meteorologist Chris Brandolino '96, while WSTM producer Jason Holder '07 looks on.

PHOTO FIVE:
Al Roker '76 interviews President Deborah F. Stanley live on NBC's "Today" show Oct. 18.

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Email: alumni@oswego.edu
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