"I wouldn't trade this experience for the world"

Since his first semester as a North Central student, Hayden Krzyzanowski ’25 has been gaining valuable experience in sports broadcasting through his involvement at WONC FM 89.1, North Central’s award-winning, student-run radio station.

Now in his senior year, Hayden is WONC’s station manager and sports director. In that role, he had the opportunity to travel to Houston and call the biggest game in NCAA Division III football: the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. On Jan. 5, 2025, the North Central Cardinals capped an undefeated season by winning their third national championship in five years. From start to finish, Hayden and fellow student broadcasters Sam Fretto ’24 M ’26 and Dylan Gantz ’26 were live on the air. 

“The Stagg Bowl is considered ‘the pinnacle’ of broadcasting for us at WONC,” Hayden said. “Broadcasting the 14 games leading up to the championship game was our warmup, and then knowing the title game would be the last we’d call all year meant so much.”

The WONC sports department is crucial to connecting fans and alumni to all Cardinal athletics. As sports director, Hayden manages a team of student journalists as they broadcast events, update social media, and create other content.

“There are so many opportunities at WONC to cover important North Central athletics events and get to do real-life coverage at the collegiate level.”

Hayden has been watching Cardinal athletics since he was a boy. He used to attend football games to watch family member Greg Whalen ’13, who was on the team.

"It felt like home,” Hayden said about his choice to attend the College. “Being on campus at an early age planted the seeds for my arrival in 2021. Since then, it's been nothing short of crazy, but I wouldn't trade this experience for the world.”

Learn more about majoring in sport management at North Central College.