It's the winter of 2000.
I'm a young sports reporter at The Times Herald, my first job out of college, covering my first beat. St Bonaventure was playing a Saturday afternoon game at Fordham. We got into town on Friday night and stayed at a Marriott in New Jersey (Teaneck, I want to say), and Saturday morning I met one of the writers who used to have my job.
It was the first of many meals I've shared with Mike Vaccaro .
Over a Marriott breakfast, Vac shared stories from his time covering the Bonnies for the OTH. He gave me writing tips and career advice. And knowing what I was making as a first-year beat writer at a tiny newspaper in Western New York, he picked up the tab.
A life lived in journalism is one that's inextricably connected to people. Mike Vaccaro is one of those people.
Vaccaro earned a spot of the Wall of Distinguished Graduates at St. Bonaventure's Jandoli School of Communication on Thursday, as part of our Dick Joyce Sports Symposium.
Simply put, Mike Vaccaro is the best of all of us.
His work record speaks for itself. Three-time New York State Sportswriter of the Year. Three fantastic books. Countless writing awards. A reputation as one of New York City's must-read columnists.
But more than any award or any column he's written, Vac is simply one of the best people you'll ever want to meet — in or out of journalism.
I owe much of my professional success to Vac's friendship and mentorship. I've written before about how he changed my life by introducing me to The Gravedigger column by Jimmy Breslin. When I was a reporter, he opened doors, introduced me to colleagues, lobbied for me to get new jobs, offered me advice on writing and on the job search. As a professor, he's guest lectured in almost every column writing class I've ever taught and helped out on research projects. Anytime I had a student need help with a job hunt or on a story of their own, my first message was to Vac.
And he always helped.
And here's the thing — what Vac has done for me and my career, he has done for a generation of sports journalists. Especially those from the Jandoli School.
To so many people, Vac IS St. Bonaventure University. And with good reason.
He exemplifies everything that makes this place special. He opens doors. He helps people. Our founder, Dr. Russell J. Jandoli, used to say "To whom much is given, much is expected," and Vac lives that out.
Mike Vaccaro is the best of all of us.
As a columnist.
As a journalist.
As a Bonnie.