TRAil of A TERRoRisT - Point Park University

RobMatzieAnnouncerElected StateRepresentativeby Colleen C. DerdaRob Matzie grew up inAmbridge, Pa., listening topolitics around the kitchen table.His grandfather was a councilman,and everyone in the family hadopinions about local and nationalpolitics. His parents even namedhim after Robert Kennedy.“The political bug bit me,” saysRob Matzie (COM 1992). “SoI started getting involved in myhometown and it progressed fromthere.”Matzie was appointed to theplanning commission a yearafter graduating from Point ParkUniversity and soon was workingfor the area’s state senator as astaff member. His first electedseat, in 2002, was a countywideposition on the Democratic StateCommittee. A year later, he wasappointed mayor of Ambridgewhen the officeholder died.Matzie made major politicalstrides in 2008 when he waselected representative forPennsylvania’s 16th legislativedistrict, which includes parts ofAllegheny and Beaver counties.During the race he receivednumerous endorsements,including that of the PittsburghPost-Gazette, which praised his“knowledge and experience.”Along with political experience,Rob Matzie has expertise and aPoint Park University bachelor’sdegree related to another field—broadcasting.For years, Matzie has served asa play-by-play announcer forMSA Sports Network (www.msasportsnetwork.com), whichbroadcasts high school and collegegames on AM and FM stationsin the tri-state area and on theInternet. Before that, he workedfor WMBA Radio in Ambridge,a job that helped him pay his waythrough college.Matzie announced high schoolfootball and basketball games forMSA Sports. Point Park Universityalums Don Rebel (COM 1987),the network’s operations manager,and announcer Ed Troup (COM‘02) continue to serve the network.It was KDKA-TV sportscasterBob Pompeani (COM 1984), aBeaver County native and PointPark alum who led Matzie to theUniversity to study journalism inthe first place.“I heard all about the program’sstoried history,” says Matzie. “BobPompeani certainly led me to theright place.”The announcer/Representativecredits the University’s emphasison professionals teaching practicalskills as one of the keys to hissuccess in broadcasting and otherareas of life. “I formed manystrong relationships at Point Park,”he notes.As much as Matzie has enjoyedbeing an announcer, he isn’tplanning to combine his politicaland sports careers anytime soon.“It takes a lot of preparation tocall a game,” says Matzie. “Youneed to have time to devote to it.Now I need to serve my districtduring the week and my family onthe weekends.”Rob Matzie and his wife Pattyhave a six-year-old daughter. Thefamily resides in Ambridge.www.pointpark.edu 35