At Waynesburg University, the Department of Communication offers all students an opportunity with several different ventures in the world of Television, Radio and Sports Coverage. For many Waynesburg Alumni, that opportunity has extended onto the field of Acrisure Stadium. 

These opportunities started while at Waynesburg, however, they have extended after graduation. 

“My first Steeler game was on Christmas Eve, 2022, against the Las Vegas Raiders as a Sky- Cam utility/helper with help from Caleb Yauger,” Waynesburg Alumni Joe Veneziale (‘24) said.

Veneziale currently works at WTOV in Steubenville, Ohio and is a videographer for the news station. He said this job allows him to continue to learn more about the production side of things for sporting events. 

“These different experiences are always awesome because you learn so much about the production as a whole from each individual job,” Veneziale said. “I’ve learned so much from camera work, so it’s not too far off from my profession.” 

ForVeneziale, the opportunity he has to cover the Steelers stems more than just covering a football game or learning more about his profession, but has roots to his time as a fan. 

“This experience has been one of a kind,” Veneziale said. “Working for the team I grew up watching has been a dream come true, and the main thing I have learned is to never stop working or fighting for opportunities.” 

For fellow Alumni Jeremiah Miller (‘23), when he gets the call from the crew, he as well enjoys the opportunity. 

“It was a few years ago now, and someone gave my contact information to a crewer for NBC, and since then, anytime NBC has covered a sporting event in the greater Pittsburgh area, they’ve given me a call, and I always look forward to working Steelers games for them,” Miller said. 

Miller also said that all the work put in while at Waynesburg is a full circle  moment to share it with his former classmates. 

“It’s been a surreal experience. It never gets old,” Miller said. “It’s also really cool to get to work these games with multiple Waynesburg University alumni as well. It’s good to see all the hard work we put in at Waynesburg has paid off, and now we get to do it again together for Sunday Night Football.” 

Even for Tyler Zeman, who despite  having only been doing these games for a year, has embraced every moment that has come his way. 

“Well I think the obvious answer is that it allows me to be a part of a nationwide show and work on the field while some of the best athletes in the world are playing right next to me,” Zeman said. 

Zeman is a news producer for WTAJ in Altoona, PA, and like Veneziale when the phone rings to work a Steeler game, it allows him to get outside of his normal routine.

“It also allows me to get out. Most days as a producer, I’m stuck in the newsroom, but working these games gets me up and out,” Zeman said. 

So even when a student comes in as a specific major and graduates with a different job than what was  planned, the opportunities to cover Steeler games and work for professional companies is always there.