Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Student Podcasters Bring Love of Suns to Fans Worldwide—From Haven Hall

Tuesday, October 13, 2015, By Keith Kobland
Share
Zach Parnes, left, and Nick Hennion broadcast their podcast each week from Haven Hall.

Zach Parnes, left, and Nick Hennion broadcast their podcast each week from Haven Hall.

It’s shortly before 11 on a Monday night. Zach Parnes ’18 and Nick Hennion ’18 are where you’ll find them on most Monday nights during the NBA season, in their residence hall room, preparing to “go live.” A mutual love of the NBA Phoenix Suns brought them here. Live podcasting to fellow Suns fans is what they’re about to do.

While Nick fires up his laptop, Zach is on his cell phone, making a connection with a podcast server in order to reach people who might be halfway around campus, the country or the globe. That’s the kind of audience the internet affords: worldwide.

“We use our passion and our motivation to get the job done,” says Parnes.

The job at hand is delivering a weekly podcast that deals with all things Phoenix Suns. The podcast, called “Suns Talk Radio,” started back when Parnes was a 15-year-old growing up in Pittsburgh. “I had served as a reporter for Sports Illustrated for Kids (he even appeared on NBC’s “Today Show” to give his NFL draft picks). When I finished that role, I still needed something to keep the creative juices flowing, so I started a podcast. I had a blast with it, even though it wasn’t pulling in any listeners.”

asdfsadfasd

Parnes, left, and Hennion met at an NBA preseason game.

At first it was a one-man-band approach, but eventually Zach got some help. It happened after he enrolled at the University, where he’s a student at Newhouse. One night, while attending an NBA preseason game at the dome, Zach met Nick, a student at the iSchool. Through conversation, they learned each was a fan of the Phoenix Suns (which Zach says for two East Coast residents is pretty unusual). The rest, as they say, is history.

“My first major contribution to ‘Suns Talk Radio,’” says Hennion, “was to land an interview with ESPN business analyst Darren Rovell, who appeared on the podcast. That helped launch our show.”

Since then, Parnes and Hennion have featured various guests, including Sean McDonough ’84. “Once he heard what we were doing,” says Parnes, “he immediately agreed to come on to the show.”

As the broadcast begins, Parnes mans the mic (his phone) while Hennion handles the social media stream. “We’re up to 1,600 followers,” according to Hennion, who also handles marketing the program, posting flyers around campus.

So what’s it like knowing they have an audience hungry for their show out there somewhere, listening to a program that originates from a residence hall room on the SU hill?

“I remember when (during the earlier days) I might have five people listening to the show,” says Parnes. Now the numbers have grown. “To routinely get feedback after every program and to routinely draw viewers-is just really unbelievable.”

For Parnes and Hennion, the true test of their success, along with growing their listenership, is validation by their favorite team that “Suns Talk Radio” is a great informational resource for fans. It’s now recognized by the team as an official media outlet for the team, meaning their podcast is a great source for all things under the sun when it comes to the Suns. “I called the Suns media director pretty much every day for a month and a half,” says Hennion, who says Suns insiders now help arrange guests for the show.

While the hard work and persistence of two young men helped launch the show, they did receive some assistance from the SU community, including Mike Duda, a member of the Sport Management Program Board of Advisors (“Without him we definitely would not be where we are right now,” says Hennion.) and Jon Bloom ’97, a Suns employee who has agreed to help grow the show any way he can.

From here, both students see only growth for “Suns Talk Radio.” Perhaps some upgraded equipment. Most certainly more manpower.

“We’re looking for ‘Cuse students who love the NBA to come and join our team,” says Parnes. “They don’t have to be Sun’s fans, we simply need people who care about something they can make their own.”

Those words perfectly describe Parnes and Hennion. Two dedicated, hard-working students who love talking about the Phoenix Suns, and who are driven to make a podcast succeed.

To listen to Suns Talk Radio, click here.

Twitter and Facebook page: Suns Talk Radio

  • Author

Keith Kobland

  • Recent
  • Future of News Production the Focus of NSF Planning Grant
    Thursday, January 21, 2021, By Wendy S. Loughlin
  • Funding Opportunities for Syracuse Abroad Summer 2021 programs
    Wednesday, January 20, 2021, By Ashley Alessandrini
  • College of Law Adds Vincent H. Cohen ’92, L’95 to Board of Advisors
    Wednesday, January 20, 2021, By Martin Walls
  • Students Invited to Network and Skill-Build with Alumni
    Wednesday, January 20, 2021, By Gabrielle Lake
  • ‘Confronting ‘Who We Are”
    Tuesday, January 19, 2021, By News Staff

More In Campus & Community

Funding Opportunities for Syracuse Abroad Summer 2021 programs

This summer, Syracuse Abroad is looking forward to bringing new life to study abroad programs after the Covid-19 pandemic setback. Summer 2021 is just around the corner, and Syracuse Abroad is ready to revitalize the spirit of summer study abroad…

Students Invited to Network and Skill-Build with Alumni

Aligning with professional development journeys and supporting students as they navigate their career trajectory past graduation is a dedicated team that encompasses Career Services, faculty, staff and alumni. Unwavering and alongside the Orange community this team has worked to continue…

University College Announces Online Degree in Computer Programming

University College announces a new online bachelor of professional studies program (BPS) in computer programming. The program was developed in response to employers seeking graduates who have the skills to meet the demands of the rapidly changing field of technology….

Stadium Testing Center Closed for Planned Enhancements Wednesday, Jan. 20

Dear Members of the Syracuse University Community: Thank you for your ongoing participation in frequent COVID-19 testing. We want you to be aware, that due to previously planned enhancements at the Stadium Testing Center, the center will be closed on…

Important Information Regarding Proof of Eligibility for and Access to the COVID Vaccine

Dear Faculty, Instructors and Graduate Teaching Assistants: We are writing to provide you new information from the Onondaga County Health Department related to the COVID-19 vaccination distribution process. Eligibility Reminder At this time, per the New York State Department of…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2021 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.