WTOP-10, the student-run television station at SUNY Oswego, made history on Feb. 2 with the university’s first-ever all-women-run hockey broadcast. The idea for the broadcast was first brought up by WTOP-10’s Sports Director Jakob Bradley, who put it on the calendar at the start of the fall 2023 semester. 

Natalie Barden, who co-produced the live broadcast with Jolie Santiago, jumped into the leadership role towards the end of the semester, with the broadcast date being chosen for Feb. 2 as it was a few days before National Girls & Women in Sports Day. There were also other milestones on that broadcast day that made the day extra special. 

“In addition to our all-women broadcast, the game was also pride night-themed, and was the men’s hockey program’s thousandth win,” Barden said. “It was important to me and my co-producer, Jolie, to appropriately acknowledge and balance all of these elements, while keeping the main focus on the game itself.”

The broadcast’s 21-woman crew came together for their preproduction meeting a few hours before the game, spread between positions inside the Deborah F. Stanley Arena such as commentators, sideline reporters and camerawomen, as well as the game’s director, audio engineer and dashboard operator back in WTOP’s studio. 

Melinda Brancato, who ran the game camera for the broadcast and is also vice president of Human Resources and Communications at WTOP-10, highlighted the desired result from their all-women’s broadcast. 

“The hope is to create a lasting impact on women and young girls who are currently in this field or considering entering it, while also recognizing all of the work that has been done by the women ahead of us,” Brancato said.

The hockey broadcasts at SUNY Oswego are typically among the biggest sporting events covered by WTOP-10, with many students working on each broadcast. These games also attract a large viewer base as they are broadcast live on YouTube, Channel 10.2 on campus and Public Access 96 on Spectrum for Oswego County.

The broadcast went smoothly, with the SUNY Oswego men’s hockey team winning against SUNY Brockport 5-1, led by senior Shane Bull’s four goals in a row. The all-women broadcast crew celebrated in the Al Roker Television Studio after the game, their historic night over but definitely not forgotten. 

“Looking back the event was successful and has created room for a larger conversation on campus,” Brancato said. “I, as well as many others, would love to see this happen again next year. Eventually working to get the idea of an all-women or women-dominated sports crew normalized would be the greatest success of all.”

Barden also felt the same way, advocating for a similar event in the near future. 

“This is just the beginning,” Barden said. “I am confident that high volumes of women will continue to participate in live sports productions at WTOP. Representation matters, and I truly hope our celebration of women in sports media encourages and inspires women at SUNY Oswego and beyond to follow their passions, no matter what obstacles may stand in their way.”

Photo by: SUNY Oswego