NBC Sports’ Bruce Beck Shares Olympic Magic with Iona Community
New Rochelle, N.Y. – Iona was thrilled to host Bruce Beck, NBC 4 New York’s lead sports anchor and executive-in-residence at the University, for an inspiring presentation entitled, “Magic at the Paris Olympics with Iona Gaels Everywhere.”
Speaking to a packed crowd in Romita Auditorium, Beck captivated the audience with behind-the-scenes insights from his experience covering the 2024 Paris Olympic Games this summer.
Beck’s talk highlighted the participation of six members of the Iona Gael Nation, both past and present, in this year’s Olympic Games. Through stories of their dedication, challenges, and triumphs on the global stage, Beck emphasized the strength of the Iona community and its far-reaching influence in athletics.
Reflecting on the perseverance and resilience of the Iona Olympians, Beck shared a powerful piece of advice to all in attendance, saying, “Follow your opportunities. If something is presented to you, go for it, and don’t ever say you can’t do it. You have to get reps in; everything in life is experience. It’s crucial for your career. Don’t be afraid to get reps. Success is all about hard work and discipline.”
The event underscored Iona’s commitment to providing students with unique opportunities to engage with professionals at the top of their fields.
As an institution rooted in academic excellence and distinction, Iona continues to elevate its programs such as Sports Communication & Media, allowing students to learn directly from industry leaders such as Beck.
Learn more about studying Media & Strategic Communication and Sports Media here!
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.