By Zack Cziryak
A die-hard sports fan and baseball and football player up to and through high school, Tyler Calvaruso knew his days playing on the field were numbered.
“5’5” kids don’t get scholarships,” he joked. “I realized that writing would be my best option to stay in the field of sports and do what I love.”
The Howell, N.J. native and Colts Neck High School alumnus made the decision early on to pursue a career in sports journalism, the logical choice for a fan of his caliber.
“I always loved sports from a young age. I wound up being a decent writer,” said Calvaruso, who admits he had raw writing chops heading into college. “Once it hit me that I could write a little bit I decided to stick more on the print side than the broadcast side.”
Calvaruso, who ultimately decided to attend Seton Hall University over James Madison and Penn State, had been familiar with the school from attending New Jersey Nets games at Continental Airlines Arena as a child growing up.
Despite limited journalistic training in high school, he took to the field and moved quickly through the ranks at The Setonian, Seton Hall’s student-run newspaper, assuming the assistant sports editor position by the end of his freshman year.
Now a senior and entering his second year as sports editor, he has also diversified his network and coverage beyond Seton Hall as he reports on the New York Jets for Jets Wire of USA Today as well as a staff recruiting reporter for Boston College’s 247/Sports website covering both football and basketball recruiting.
It was Calvaruso’s love of sports, specifically Rutgers University football, that opened the door for his work on the Boston College site.
“I started when I was younger... I was interested in recruiting and the inner workings,” said Calvaruso, who was a subscriber to the Rutgers 247/Sports website while in high school. “As a subscriber I’m reading and thinking you probably have to be experienced to work for them.”
Opportunity and determination can also help as Calvaruso found out when he connected with Adam Baliatico, who had previously run the Rutgers 247/Sports site asking if he needed any help with the launch of the new Boston College site. The results? He now works with Baliatico on recruiting news, game day content and assists in running the site’s social media platform.
While he’s paid for his work on the Boston College site, Calvaruso continues to run The Setonian’s sports section, developing relationships including one with with former Athletic Director Pat Lyons, now the school’s Executive Vice President for Operations and Chief of Staff
“Pat and I have a great relationship,” he said, noting his first interview with Lyons was last year around the time the athletic department announced the completion of its new refueling station. “Had a great interview for 15-20 minutes. Walking out of the room I didn’t think anything of it, but every time after that he says my name and shakes my hand.”
He also is familiar with incoming Athletic Director Bryan Felt from his prior tenure at Seton Hall, and anticipates getting his thoughts on the job in October.
In terms of construction projects at the Hall, Calvaruso noted that the turf for the soccer portion of Owen T. Carroll Field has been installed “in a matter of days” and believes it will be in time to allow for the first men’s Big East game on Sept. 28 against DePaul.
He is also familiar with many of the rumblings regarding Walsh Gymnasium renovations and a potential basketball-only facility and that it’s as a point of emphasis for the school.
“President Nyre is very in tune with what a practice facility would mean for the school and they’re definitely making a concerted effort to get the funding into place,” he said.
A practice facility would hopefully add to Seton Hall men’s basketball’s recruiting efforts, which have taken a step up a level on the heels of four straight NCAA Tournament appearances for the Pirates as well as a pair of recent assistant coaching additions in Tony Skinn and Duane Woodward.
“Tony and Duane Woodward have been amazing upgrades,” Calvaruso adds. “Skinn has so much juice in the D.C. area. The first step is getting these kids on campus and he’s been able to do that. Their combination is such an upgrade for this staff. They’ve added a new element for Seton Hall.”
Calvaruso highlighted the relative youth of the staff and their ability to relate to recruits as significant attributes in today’s recruiting landscape.
“You have to be able to talk about other things beyond basketball,” he added. “Being amiable and being able to relate to players on a personal level, not just basketball, I think that’s the most crucial element of recruiting.”
After securing commitments from point guard Jahari Long and guard/wing Dimingus Stevens for the class of 2020, Calvaruso believes there is buzz in the Hall’s recruitment of Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe, a wing out of Orangeville Prep in Ontario and high school teammate of current freshman Tyrese Samuel.
He also believes the Pirates have a strong chance with five-star wing Earl Timberlake out of the D.C. area and has sources that are “confident he’ll end up at the Hall.”
“I have my concerns because he’s such a highly ranked player and things could get interesting,” Calvaruso notes. “It’s a big development that he’s taking that official to Seton Hall. I believe [Dimingus] Stevens will play a role. I think Earl seeing Dimingus committing to Seton Hall gives him a familiar face in an unfamiliar place.”
The staff is also highly interested in center Elijah Hutchins-Everett, who recently reclassified to the class of 2021 and attends Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut.
“I think him being 2021 helps and hurts the Hall. [He] has an extra year to build that relationship with the coaching staff, [but there's a] decent chance he blows up,” Calvaruso said. “It’s a mixed bag him reclassifying, but Seton Hall wants him badly. They’re going to give everything trying to secure his commitment.”
Looking forward to the Pirates 2019-2020 squad, Calvaruso sees a top 3 finish in the Big East for the regular season and at least a Big East Tournament championship game appearance. He also believes the squad has a Sweet 16/Elite 8 ceiling in the NCAA Tournament.
As for his own future, Calvaruso admits the changing sports media landscape has shifted heavily to digital from print, but admits he’ll try to stick to the medium he’s grown to love.
“In five years I’d just like to have a gig somewhere,” he said. “It’s tough to predict the future so I’ll take whatever I can get.”
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
COMMENTS
A die-hard sports fan and baseball and football player up to and through high school, Tyler Calvaruso knew his days playing on the field were numbered.
“5’5” kids don’t get scholarships,” he joked. “I realized that writing would be my best option to stay in the field of sports and do what I love.”
The Howell, N.J. native and Colts Neck High School alumnus made the decision early on to pursue a career in sports journalism, the logical choice for a fan of his caliber.
“I always loved sports from a young age. I wound up being a decent writer,” said Calvaruso, who admits he had raw writing chops heading into college. “Once it hit me that I could write a little bit I decided to stick more on the print side than the broadcast side.”
Calvaruso, who ultimately decided to attend Seton Hall University over James Madison and Penn State, had been familiar with the school from attending New Jersey Nets games at Continental Airlines Arena as a child growing up.
Despite limited journalistic training in high school, he took to the field and moved quickly through the ranks at The Setonian, Seton Hall’s student-run newspaper, assuming the assistant sports editor position by the end of his freshman year.
Now a senior and entering his second year as sports editor, he has also diversified his network and coverage beyond Seton Hall as he reports on the New York Jets for Jets Wire of USA Today as well as a staff recruiting reporter for Boston College’s 247/Sports website covering both football and basketball recruiting.
It was Calvaruso’s love of sports, specifically Rutgers University football, that opened the door for his work on the Boston College site.
“I started when I was younger... I was interested in recruiting and the inner workings,” said Calvaruso, who was a subscriber to the Rutgers 247/Sports website while in high school. “As a subscriber I’m reading and thinking you probably have to be experienced to work for them.”
Opportunity and determination can also help as Calvaruso found out when he connected with Adam Baliatico, who had previously run the Rutgers 247/Sports site asking if he needed any help with the launch of the new Boston College site. The results? He now works with Baliatico on recruiting news, game day content and assists in running the site’s social media platform.
While he’s paid for his work on the Boston College site, Calvaruso continues to run The Setonian’s sports section, developing relationships including one with with former Athletic Director Pat Lyons, now the school’s Executive Vice President for Operations and Chief of Staff
“Pat and I have a great relationship,” he said, noting his first interview with Lyons was last year around the time the athletic department announced the completion of its new refueling station. “Had a great interview for 15-20 minutes. Walking out of the room I didn’t think anything of it, but every time after that he says my name and shakes my hand.”
He also is familiar with incoming Athletic Director Bryan Felt from his prior tenure at Seton Hall, and anticipates getting his thoughts on the job in October.
In terms of construction projects at the Hall, Calvaruso noted that the turf for the soccer portion of Owen T. Carroll Field has been installed “in a matter of days” and believes it will be in time to allow for the first men’s Big East game on Sept. 28 against DePaul.
He is also familiar with many of the rumblings regarding Walsh Gymnasium renovations and a potential basketball-only facility and that it’s as a point of emphasis for the school.
“President Nyre is very in tune with what a practice facility would mean for the school and they’re definitely making a concerted effort to get the funding into place,” he said.
A practice facility would hopefully add to Seton Hall men’s basketball’s recruiting efforts, which have taken a step up a level on the heels of four straight NCAA Tournament appearances for the Pirates as well as a pair of recent assistant coaching additions in Tony Skinn and Duane Woodward.
“Tony and Duane Woodward have been amazing upgrades,” Calvaruso adds. “Skinn has so much juice in the D.C. area. The first step is getting these kids on campus and he’s been able to do that. Their combination is such an upgrade for this staff. They’ve added a new element for Seton Hall.”
Calvaruso highlighted the relative youth of the staff and their ability to relate to recruits as significant attributes in today’s recruiting landscape.
“You have to be able to talk about other things beyond basketball,” he added. “Being amiable and being able to relate to players on a personal level, not just basketball, I think that’s the most crucial element of recruiting.”
After securing commitments from point guard Jahari Long and guard/wing Dimingus Stevens for the class of 2020, Calvaruso believes there is buzz in the Hall’s recruitment of Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe, a wing out of Orangeville Prep in Ontario and high school teammate of current freshman Tyrese Samuel.
He also believes the Pirates have a strong chance with five-star wing Earl Timberlake out of the D.C. area and has sources that are “confident he’ll end up at the Hall.”
“I have my concerns because he’s such a highly ranked player and things could get interesting,” Calvaruso notes. “It’s a big development that he’s taking that official to Seton Hall. I believe [Dimingus] Stevens will play a role. I think Earl seeing Dimingus committing to Seton Hall gives him a familiar face in an unfamiliar place.”
The staff is also highly interested in center Elijah Hutchins-Everett, who recently reclassified to the class of 2021 and attends Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut.
“I think him being 2021 helps and hurts the Hall. [He] has an extra year to build that relationship with the coaching staff, [but there's a] decent chance he blows up,” Calvaruso said. “It’s a mixed bag him reclassifying, but Seton Hall wants him badly. They’re going to give everything trying to secure his commitment.”
Looking forward to the Pirates 2019-2020 squad, Calvaruso sees a top 3 finish in the Big East for the regular season and at least a Big East Tournament championship game appearance. He also believes the squad has a Sweet 16/Elite 8 ceiling in the NCAA Tournament.
As for his own future, Calvaruso admits the changing sports media landscape has shifted heavily to digital from print, but admits he’ll try to stick to the medium he’s grown to love.
“In five years I’d just like to have a gig somewhere,” he said. “It’s tough to predict the future so I’ll take whatever I can get.”
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
COMMENTS
