Media Studies student Robert Coloney pictured with the New York Yankees' 2009 World Series Trophy.

Before New Jersey native Robert Coloney '12 even came to Sacred Heart University as a freshman, he knew what he wanted – to be a sports broadcaster. He chose to attend Sacred Heart because he thought a smaller school would provide the opportunity for hands-on experience more quickly. Within his first week on campus, he and a classmate, Michael “Spyder” LeBoff, were hosting a radio sports show called the Rob & Spyder Show.

In December of that year, once Coloney felt comfortable behind the microphone, he sent e-mails to all the professional sports organizations in the area. He believes those messages led to his current full-time job with the New York Yankees. “In March, I got a call from Mike Bonner of the Yankees. He had listened to the show and was impressed.” He offered Coloney an internship with the Bombers.

Coloney, a Media Studies major, headed off to that internship in May 2009 as soon as his last final exam was completed and was placed in the Scoreboard & Broadcasting Department. “I did anything they asked. I inputted messages for the scoreboard. I did some editing. I did anything,” Coloney said. “Mike gave me some opportunities, but he didn’t let my head get too big. He was great at keeping me grounded.”

Clearly, Bonner continued to be impressed, because Coloney, a lifelong Yankee fan, is now a full-time employee as he completes his last year at Sacred Heart. Once the internship turned into something more, Coloney worked with the University to create an arrangement where his production work for the team would count as hands-on experience for credit.  He is also taking courses online, submitting work and meeting with his professors outside the classroom. He expects to graduate in December.

He is grateful to Sacred Heart for this arrangement and more. “You only have a few years to get experience. I knew what I wanted to do, and Sacred Heart gave me the opportunity to do it. You can only learn so much in the classroom. The chance to get on the air immediately allowed me plenty of time to improve, learn and perfect my skills,” he said. “I knew where I wanted to be after graduation, and I knew it was a competitive field where hands-on experience would mean everything.”

Eventually Coloney hopes to broadcast games doing either play-by-play or color. The Yankees organization has already given him the opportunity to get on the air a few times doing the pre-game standup in front of the crowd. He has also been producing the spots for Ryan Ruocco, who regularly does the pre-game standup.

In addition, he edits videos and voiceovers, inputs time codes and more. “Some of it is tedious, but I know I have to pay my dues,” he said. “What do I have to complain about? I’m 21 years old and working for the team I love.”

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