Picture this: it’s a cool November evening, you’re finishing up a long week, you’re ready to get cozy under a blanket and unwind. What better way to spend your time than listening to a podcast? Luckily for you, avid New Paltz Athletics fan, there is a new radio show to indulge in: the Hawk Talk!
The Hawk Talk is the newest #NPHawks radio show, where each week current and former New Paltz student athletes are featured to discuss a variety of topics. Recently, second-years Cassidy Deaver and Graci Serravillo from the women’s basketball team appeared on the show to discuss their quarantine experiences and the culture of their team. The episodes typically end with something fun, such as “Name That Teammate” or “Teammate Superlatives.”
So how did these episodes come to be?
Fourth-year digital media management major Connor MacPhail is the brains and host of the operation. MacPhail is a student athlete himself, an outside hitter for the New Paltz men’s volleyball team, so he is used to being surrounded by New Paltz athletes.
MacPhail explained that he started an internship with the Athletic and Wellness Center, and with the cancelation of fall sports, wanted to push sports content out in some way.
Although the episodes so far have only featured current student athletes as guests, MacPhail said he is hoping to expand to alumni and coaches soon to dive into all athletic experiences.
How does he start working on an episode?
MacPhail said he writes up a talking point sheet before recording to help the flow of the show, but it does end up being a fun and casual conversation with the students. The episodes are pre-recorded over Zoom but air on 88.7 FM: The Edge on Fridays. MacPhail said he is hoping to get into a studio soon to give the show a real podcast feel.
How long will he do these episodes?
MacPhail said the original plan was to only do the show for the Fall 2020 semester, but circumstances changed.
“I really enjoy it and would like to keep the tradition going on so I will keep it going into spring,” MacPhail said. “I guess we’ll have to see what happens when I graduate. Hopefully I’ll have someone to pass the torch to.”
What if you can’t listen live?
The episodes are also posted on YouTube and the New Paltz Hawks’ Instagram. MacPhail added they are also working to get them on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for easy listening.
With fall and winter sports a no-go this year, Hawk Talk is certainly a fun way to stay connected with the New Paltz Athletes and teams.
Click here to listen to episodes one, two and three of Hawk Talk.
