Jeez, it’s really hard to put into at most 2,000 words what being with The Daily Collegian has been like. But, here we go.
When I committed to Penn State, I knew I was stepping into one of the most prestigious journalism programs in the country. The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications was a dream opportunity — a place where I could grow, challenge myself, and learn from some of the best minds in the business.
I came in with tunnel vision. At the time, I was sure my path was clear: I was going to be a broadcaster, just like my idols Jim Jackson and Mike “Doc” Emrick. I saw myself calling games, painting pictures with my voice, and delivering excitement to fans the same way they did for me growing up.
So naturally, I joined CommRadio my freshman year, eager to make my mark in sports media. I was young, driven, and full of enthusiasm. But as time went on, something didn’t feel quite right. I still loved sports. I still loved telling stories, but I realized my heart wasn’t in it the way it needed to be if I wanted to succeed long-term.
What I couldn’t deny, though, was how much I loved writing — how putting together a story, shaping a narrative, and finding just the right word gave me a different kind of satisfaction.
So, I pivoted.
I switched my major to digital and print journalism, ready to take on a new challenge. I was excited, but also nervous. I didn’t know if I was “good enough” to make the switch. Breaking into student media wasn’t as easy as I had hoped. I applied to a student-run news outlet early on — one that I won’t name — and got rejected. At the time, it stung. I wondered if I really had what it took. That kind of self-doubt can mess with you.
But then I found The Daily Collegian.
I applied for candidacy at the start of my sophomore year. My first assignment was covering Penn State women’s hockey. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know much about it. The rules, the pace, the key differences from men’s hockey — it was all new to me. It was overwhelming at first, but I was incredibly fortunate to have Michael Quinn by my side. He was patient, encouraging and a great mentor who helped me navigate my first semester with confidence. Without him, I might not have stuck with it.
It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with covering hockey. The game moves fast, but the stories come even faster. The more I wrote, the more I realized I had found my place. That spring, I also started covering another one of my favorite sports: Penn State baseball. I joined a fantastic beat alongside two incredibly talented writers — Zach Karpf and Lyle Alenstein, who quickly became two of my closest friends.
We spent chilly spring evenings in the press box at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, bundled up in hoodies and jackets, scribbling notes with frozen fingers. Whether it was downing dollar dogs or chatting with former coach Rob Cooper postgame, those moments stick with me. They’re the kind of memories you don’t forget.
By the time junior year rolled around, I was more confident in my voice as a writer. I returned to the women’s hockey beat that fall and found myself in awe of the program I was covering. This wasn’t just a good team — it was a dynasty in the making. I got to witness the building blocks of sustained greatness. The consistency, the leadership, the intensity — every game told a story worth writing. I felt lucky to be the one putting those stories into words.
Then came the spring of junior year, and I returned to baseball. This time I teamed up with Zach Karpf, Andrew Deal, and Lexie Linderman. That group made the experience unforgettable. We were a well-oiled machine, bouncing ideas off each other, pushing each other to be better, and laughing through the long games.
And what a season we got to cover — Penn State baseball put together an incredible run that spring, defying expectations and making it all the way to the Big Ten Championship game. Being there for that journey, from the early non-conference matchups to that thrilling postseason stretch, was a privilege. It felt like we had built something special, and the friendships I made on that beat will stay with me long after we’ve all turned in our final stories.
But something was still missing.
Then, finally, came senior year.
After years of climbing the ladder, I earned the chance to cover men’s hockey — the very sport that holds a very special place in my heart. I did it alongside Chase Fisher, Maggie Hardy, and Evan Smith — three people I respect immensely and feel lucky to have worked with. It felt like everything had come full circle. All the late nights, the rewrites, the learning curves, the pressure of deadlines — it all led to this.
And what a season to cover.
Penn State men’s hockey started as an afterthought. They weren’t the flashy pick. Expectations were low. But week after week, they fought, clawed, and grinded their way through adversity, defying the odds to reach the Frozen Four for the first time in program history. Watching that story unfold from the press box and having the privilege to document it in real time was something I’ll never forget.
The atmosphere at Pegula, the passion of the fans, the resolve of the team — it all added up to a perfect storm. Being a part of it, even in a small way, was surreal.
But here’s the thing: as much as I’ll remember the games, the thrillers, the blowouts, the heartbreakers—the real impact of my time with The Daily Collegian isn’t in the stories I wrote. It’s in the people I met along the way.
I’ll never forget the long days at the table in Willard, when we’d procrastinate more than we’d write — cracking jokes (thank you Dwight “Popeyes” Wu!), arguing over the best food in the HUB (Panda all the way), teasing each other, and the millions of Sporcle’s I’d do. I’m pretty sure I’ve done more Sporcle’s than bylines. Those moments were just as valuable as any article I published. They were a reminder that journalism is a team sport. And I was lucky to be part of one hell of a team.
There were road trips to Washington, D.C., Allentown, and eventually, St. Louis for the Frozen Four. Long hours spent in cramped cars, debating hot takes and blasting music. These weren’t just work trips. They were experiences that bonded us as colleagues and as friends. They were core memories I’ll carry with me forever.
To my editors — Joel Haas, Andrew Buckman, Sam Woloson, Dan Perez, Dan Mader, Liam Wichser, Noah Aberegg, Zach Karpf, Greg Finberg, and Joe Tuman — thank you. Your guidance, patience, and yes, even your brutally honest feedback, helped shape me into the journalist I am today. You challenged me to dig deeper, to polish my writing, and to never settle for “good enough.” You believed in me, even when I wasn’t sure I believed in myself.
To AJ Piazza: I’m gonna be so real, from the first day I met you, proudly sporting that Chicago Bears jersey, I didn’t think you’d end up with your own paragraph. And yet, here we are. We got through Boaz together (somehow), and now look at us — we’re “pooblished.” You were the one person at the Collegian who matched me in pure hockey brainpower, and for that alone, I’ll be forever grateful. Whether it was breaking down line combinations or complaining about power plays, you always got it. You’ve come a long way, and I’m glad I got to see it up close — even if your football team still makes it hard to take you seriously.
To Chase Fisher: You reached out to me hoping to join the Collegian, and somehow that message turned into one of the best friendships I’ve made here. From answering your questions about candidacy to covering games side by side at Pegula, it’s been unreal watching you grow into a total pro. Your hockey knowledge, writing chops, and ability to stay calm under pressure made you an absolute force on the beat. Whether we were workshopping ledes or laughing at whatever chaos was unfolding on the ice, I always knew I had someone I could count on. You didn’t just join the Collegian — you made it better. And I’m lucky I got to be along for the ride.
To Zach Karpf: How on earth did you go from my beat partner to my boss? Still not sure how I feel about that — but hey, here we are. I’ll definitely miss the endless Phillies debates, trying (and mostly failing) to convert you into a hockey guy, and of course, carrying you in Cynthia’s class. You’ve been one of my favorite people to work with and hang with and don’t worry, The Bank is calling our names.
To Andrew Deal: You were the quiet one at first, but it didn’t take long to realize you are one of the sharpest writers at the table. Whether it was grinding through baseball gamers or making dry one-liners that caught everyone off guard, you always brought something to the team. Your consistency, calmness, and low-key humor made every long night at Medlar feel a little easier. I’m glad we got to share a beat — and yes, I’ll miss the sarcasm almost as much as the stories. To quote Dwight, it really is a Deal!
To Lexie Linderman, Lyle Alenstein, Greg Finberg, Maggie Hardy, and Evan Smith: I couldn’t wrap this up without mentioning all of you. Whether it was long nights on the beat, heated group chat debates, or just making me laugh when I needed it most, you each played a real role in making my Collegian experience what it was.
Lexie, you brought unmatched energy and chaos in the best way. Lyle, your quiet brilliance made you one of the sharpest writers I’ve worked with. Greg, your Wizards takes were somehow both terrible and iconic. Maggie, you were the steady hand every hockey beat needs. And Evan, you showed up, got it done, and made it all look easy. Thank you all — seriously.
The Daily Collegian gave me so much more than bylines. It gave me lifelong friendships, an outlet for my passion, and a genuine understanding of what it means to be a journalist. The thrill of chasing a lead, the nerves before a big interview, the rush of hitting “publish” on a story you’re proud of — those feelings are what I live for. And I found them all here.
Now, as I prepare to leave Penn State behind, I know I’m going to miss it all — the chaos, the caffeine-fueled writing sessions, the last-minute scrambles to update a story after a game goes into overtime. But more than anything, I’m going to miss the people who made it all worth it. The ones who sat beside me through the highs and lows, who pushed me to be better, and who reminded me why I chose this path in the first place.
This chapter is coming to a close, but the memories, lessons, and friendships I’ve made through The Daily Collegian will stick with me wherever I go. I’m proud of what we accomplished, grateful for the journey, and excited for what’s next — even if it’s a little scary.
Here’s to the games we covered, the stories we told, and the friends we made along the way.
Unc out.
MORE SENIOR COLUMNS
I’m a big Taylor Swift fan — this should come as no surprise, I’m sure, but stick with me, I…
: 
