For Robbie Basel ’26, broadcasting is not just about calling games. It is about creating opportunities.

On a campus where student media is always evolving, Basel has found a way to stand out. As the founder and director of broadcasting for WIUR Sports as well as the president for the main club, he has helped build something that goes beyond himself.

For Basel, that mission means everything.

“WIUR Sports has been able to give students opportunities we’ve never been able to provide before, from calling games at Madison Square Garden to the MAAC Basketball Championships. This year alone, we were able to go to some incredible places, and I am excited to see where WIUR Sports goes next year.”

WIUR Sports launched in January 2025, with the initiative to give students a chance to be on air and quickly turned into a legitimate platform for live broadcasts, production work and on air reps. Robbie is right in the middle of it all, whether it’s doing play-by-play in the MAAC Championships and Madison Square Garden or working behind the scenes guiding students who are just getting started; It’s not just about his voice, it’s about building a platform that lasts here at Iona.

Basel has made it, so WIUR Sports is not just about getting reps, but about creating real experiences that mirror what the industry looks like. From live game environments to high-pressure moments, students are learning how to handle broadcasts in real time. For many, it is their first chance to be on a mic or behind the scenes, and it is happening earlier than most would expect.

Freshman Chase Caridi has seen the impact firsthand.

“In just under a full school year at Iona, WIUR Sports has given me countless opportunities in broadcasting and experiences I never thought possible. From doing color commentary at Madison Square Garden to calling a buzzer beater in the Hynes Center, I am incredibly grateful for everything Robbie Basel and WIUR have done for me.”

Beyond his work here in New Rochelle, Robbie has already broken into the broadcasting scene at the semi-professional level, working as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Morris Elite Soccer Club in both USL League Two and USL W League. Now he is taking another leap forward as the voice of the Long Island Roughriders, continuing to gain genuine experience on his journey to turning pro.

In college, a lot of students look for opportunities. Robbie Basel built one.