Communiqué

WOUB Senior Spotlight: Shane Scalfaro
< < Back toBy: Sofia Osio
ATHENS, OH – As Shane Scalfaro, a senior journalism news and information major from Findlay, Ohio, approaches graduation this May, he is planning for a future in the sports journalism world with a dream of working in the NFL. It’s a goal Scalfaro believes he can achieve thanks to his time at Ohio University and WOUB.
“All I can really say is to get involved, go for what you want and dream big,” Scalfaro said. “Getting involved helps you advance further and is incredibly crucial to development. Always try and even if you fail, there is still something to learn from it. No dream is too big if it’s something you want and you are willing to work for it.”
Scalfaro chose to attend Ohio University after discovering its high-ranking journalism program and booming campus culture.
“The journalism program here is amazing, the scenery of Athens is incredible, and I love the atmosphere of Athens and Ohio University’s campus. Ohio University is actually the only college I applied to because I knew this is where I wanted to be,” Scalfaro said.
Once on campus, Scalfaro joined WOUB Public Media and hasn’t looked back. He spent all four years working on WOUB TV’s high school sports programs Hardwood Heroes and Gridiron Glory, as well as two WOUB sports podcasts. The last two years, Scalfaro was paid to work at WOUB through the Neil Mahrer and Sonia Franceski WOUB Student Staff Support Fund. The fund provides year-round support, in the form of wages and benefits, for students employed by WOUB Public Media.
“The Neil Mahrer Fund allowed me to put more time and effort into the things I do at WOUB,” said Scalfaro. “Before, I was splitting time between a job and WOUB and oftentimes would miss WOUB meetings or have to get out of work for WOUB events. I felt like I was progressing slower in my profession. I feel like I have taken a massive jump forward since receiving the funding, and it’s thanks to having more time to work at my profession and grow with WOUB.”
While Shane is passionate about the sports journalism world, his favorite part of his experience at Ohio University has been the people and seeing his hard work pay off.
“I can’t say enough good things about the staff and the people I have worked with over the years, and the communities we cover allowing us to come film games, interview players and coaches, and so much more,” Scalfaro said. “It has truly been an amazing experience.”