Note: This Episode of the podcast originally published November 8, 2022. But given that this week marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, we thought it a good time to revisit this episode with Dave Peterson (Peterman), Brett Bosse, and Leah Hoffman, all seniors from the Class of 2002 at the time.
Dave Peterson, aka "Peterman," was the station's GM and morning show host that morning. Leah Hoffman was his co-host, out on campus interviewing folks about the Syracuse primary elections, scheduled that Tuesday. Brett Bosse was the news director, and Jag was on in afternoon drive.
Peterman and Leah start the story in the morning when the towers were hit, and how they had to get information, with no televisions in the station, only one other station in the market that would come in (with good reception) to the new WJPZ facilities, and no internet at the station.
Brett picks it up with the station's skeleton news crew. Having just come back to a rebuilt studio after a year in an off-campus house on Ostrom Avenue, he was trying to rebuild the news department as the school year started. And Jag chimes in with what happened in the afternoon of 9/11.
You'll hear some raw emotion in this episode as the four of us recount our memories of that day, and a very personal connection for one of our guests. But you'll also hear about the power of the WJPZ family - not only how everyone stepped up to help in any way possible, but how the station became a gathering place for so many. In that moment of fear and uncertainty, we all needed to be with our Syracuse Family.
This episode isn't all serious though. We wrap up on some brighter notes, reflecting on some hilarious stories from our time at Z89. And Peterman shares two of them - as only he can.
Link: Peterman's handwritten notes from the morning of 9/11: https://twitter.com/pieceofpeterman/status/1436749769683124229?s=20&t=cUMIDjlgiL10cxC7_bo9Pg