UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — There’s often drama and some unpredictability surrounding the process by which professional football teams meet to select players each year, but the NFL Draft offers only certainty for some Penn State students.
When the draft begins April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, senior journalism majors Josh Bartosik and Mike Bolger will be on site to cover the event for CommRadio, the streaming channel housed in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications.
It’s the 15th year in a row CommRadio has covered the draft. CommRadio was the first collegiate media entity to cover the draft from start to finish, and its presence the past decade and a half makes it the only college or university outlet that has consistently covered one of the NFL’s premiere events in that time.
"To have the opportunity to cover the NFL Draft is something I only thought of in my dreams growing up," said Bartosik, from Raleigh, North Carolina. "Being at one of the NFL's biggest stages, representing Penn State, is something I will cherish forever."
"Words can't describe the opportunity we've been given to go on the big stage and represent Penn State," said Bolger, from Galloway, New Jersey. "I've been watching the NFL since I could barely walk; it's going to be a blast."
Their live coverage will air from 7 p.m. to midnight April 24 and again from 6 p.m. to midnight April 25 on the streaming station. In addition, a team of students will complement the on-site coverage from CommRadio’s studios on the University Park campus.
Nearly 300 students participate with CommRadio each academic year. It provides news and sports coverage from Penn State with opportunities ranging from advertising and promotions to on-air duties such as conducting play-by-play of Penn State varsity and high school sports, as well as hosting talk shows focused on a variety of topics.