Working For You, Mike Masciadrelli '15 is Committed to Local News

“Working for you” is more than just the slogan his station is known for, it’s a mantra that Mike Masciadrelli ’15 has followed throughout his career.

Masciadrelli, weekend morning anchor at 22 News, dove head first into broadcast journalism upon his graduation from Western New England University. He describes the University as a place that allowed him to gain confidence and grow in ways he never imagined possible.

“The Western New England Communication Department shaped me into the journalist I am now,” Masciadrelli said. He thanked Professor and Department Chair Doug Battema, as well as Professor Brenda Garton-Sjoberg, former anchor at 22 News.

“Their vast knowledge and interest in their students reflected the exemplary professors they are. They were fantastic mentors to me throughout my four years there,” Masciadrelli said of Battema and Garton-Sjoberg.

As a student, Masciadrelli was involved in the Advanced Radio Reporting class that allowed him to produce news reports for WAMC Northeast Public Radio. While studying abroad in Florence, Italy, he also interned at a Florence radio station, learning Italian and becoming fluent in the language.

While maintaining a near 4.0 GPA, Masciadrelli was a Peer Advisor, a member of the Tennis Team, active in Spiritual Life, a sports writer/editor for The Westerner, and even worked at the University’s Polling Institute. One summer he worked on campus, creating videos to help promote the College of Engineering.

The summer before his junior year, Masciadrelli interned with ABC 40 in Springfield, MA. He got to see what the TV industry looked like for the first time, working with the Sports Director to shoot video to be aired during the high school sports segment.

“My cousin Shannon Hegy was the anchor there at the time, so she helped me secure the internship. She shared with me her knowledge, and helped me improve my writing for TV,” Masciadrelli explained.

About two years later, Masciadrelli would find himself back in the newsroom, this time as a professional, with 22 News. He took a job as a news producer, hoping to one day find himself in front of the camera.

“I had to write national, international, and local news stories that would be read by the anchors. I had to put together the entire newscast, gather the video, and work with the director to make sure the show ended on time,” Masciadrelli said of his role. “I had to organize the newscast which meant building an understanding on what news should be aired first to last. I also had to ‘cue’ the reporters to let them know when to begin and end their reports,” he said, adding that he’s worked every producer shift possible.

Within about a year, Masciadrelli was assigned to work in the Franklin County Bureau for the station as a News reporter, and later, in the Hampshire County Bureau as well. He markets himself as a “multi-media journalist,” which he explained is the trend in the industry.

“As a multi-media journalist, it requires you to develop skills in all facets of the TV industry,” the student turned broadcaster explained. “If you can’t perform all these skills in a shift, you will not be able to be a journalist in TV. Most stations require you to be able to ‘do-it-all,’ and not just write stories and do live shots,” Masciadrelli said.

His work for 22 News has taken him all across the northeast, including coverage of the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Marathon, the Springfield Thunderbirds, and MGM Springfield’s grand opening. But for Masciadrelli, it’s covering the New England Patriots’ victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2018 AFC Championship Game at Foxboro, MA that stands above the rest.

“I always have loved sports so being able to report on my favorite team’s AFC Championship victory was a dream come true. I interviewed players, did live shots on and off the field, and was our lead in social media,” Masciadrelli recalled.

With another promotion, Masciadrelli is now the Hampden County dayside reporter Monday-Wednesday, and weekend anchor on Saturday and Sunday mornings. As the young multi-media journalist continues to work his way up through 22 News, his commitment to the community is clear.

“I believe viewers who are watching want a reporter/anchor they can trust,” Masciadrelli explained. “I try to connect with the viewer and not make it seem like it’s about me. Our slogan is ‘working for you’ and that’s what it’s all about for me.”

As for what comes next, Masciadrelli says, “stay tuned!” He’s unsure of where life will take him next, but he’s open to different opportunities in the communication field and even starting a family. For now, Masciadrelli is striving to be the best reporter and anchor he can be.