Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Parallels

special places, sound advice and magnetic voices across the generations

ABBY SOIKA ’25

Announcer, Writer, Statistician and Social Media Coordinator for HWS Athletics
Internships with Utica Blue Sox and FISU World Winter Games

Major: Economics
Minor: Environmental Studies and Entrepreneurial Studies
Hometown: Clinton, N.Y.

JON WALLACH ’89

Sports Anchor, WBZ-FM Boston

Major: English
Hometown: Natick, Mass.

What attracted you to broadcasting?
AS: My high school hockey team needed an announcer, and the coach “volentold” me it was my new job! He connected me with Hobart Hockey’s Tommy Fiorentino, which opened many doors for me. JW: I used to stay up late and listen to Celtics games. I loved the legendary voice of the team, Johnny Most.

What’s the most exciting sporting event you’ve covered?
AS: NCAA men’s hockey at Hobart. That was super special. JW: 2004 World Series. By a lot. A lifelong Red Sox fan gets a front row seat to watch them finally win? A dream come true.

Favorite professor?
AS: Kristen Brubaker and Jenny Tessendorf. JW: Grant Holly. He was my advisor and was also all in on me broadcasting games on WEOS.

Favorite place to study on campus?
AS: Third floor of the library. JW: The library. Back corner, third floor.

Coffee or tea?
AS: Both. JW: Neither.

Best piece of advice you’ve received?
AS: My dad reminds me that I don’t need to have my life planned out; I can always change my mind and do something new. JW: Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.

What brought you to HWS?
AS: The lake, a well-rounded education and family friend Izzy Foisy ’22; we went to lunch and everything she told me made me want to go here.
JW: The people. My father and I showed up on Columbus Day weekend my senior year in high school and met so many students and faculty more than willing to show us around.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
AS: Something new every day. Every time someone would tell me about their job, I would want to try it. JW: Starting center fielder for the Boston Red Sox.

Besides a sports broadcast, what’s your favorite thing to listen to?
AS: Zach Bryan, the Lumineers, and Taylor Swift! JW: 1980s music. I grew up during that decade and musically never left.