‘Go be great,’ Levy tells seniors

As an ESPN anchor, Steve Levy ’87 is used to getting some of the hottest tickets around — Super Bowls, World Series, you name it. But he showed seniors at the annual Commencement Eve Dinner his “golden ticket” — saved for three decades — a letter dated March 2, 1983, confirming his admission into SUNY Oswego.

“It was Oswego that gave me the confidence and the skills to succeed in the real world, where you’re all headed Monday,” Levy told more than 750 graduating seniors, their families and friends May 13.

Steve Levy ’87, second from right, was the emcee of the Sesquicentennial Torchlight Ceremony in May. Also leading the festivities were from left, Mistress of Ceremonies Jacquelyn Costello ’11, Torchbearer Tyler Hilliard ’11, President Deborah F. Stanley, Levy, and Student Speaker Meghan Milewski ’11.

“This is your shot right now. This is your time to go out and do something you love, something you are passionate about,” Levy said at the Commencement Eve Dinner, which precedes the Torchlight Ceremony. “If you love something that you’re doing, chances are you’re going to be great at it.”

Levy got his start sportscasting at WTOP-TV and WOCR-AM as a communication studies major at Oswego. He joined ESPN and became an anchor on the network’s flagship SportsCenter program in 1993.

“I know all of you will make us, the alumni, very proud,” he said. “So I leave you with this: Get out of here. Go be great at whatever you’re great at and achieve your happiness.”