Nordonia High Graduate Brings Two Decades of Broadcasting Experience to New University Communications Initiative
Sagamore Hills resident and Nordonia High School graduate Matt Lupica has been down this road before.
In 2020, he launched a podcast for the Division of Student Affairs at Kent State University during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, using it as a way to connect with students, faculty and staff during a time of social distancing.
Now, five years later, and working as a senior content writer at Cleveland State University, Lupica has launched Viking Voices — a podcast that’s already become a favorite among CSU students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners.
“This podcast is just another great communication tool we can use to reach our audiences in ways we never have before,” Lupica said. “This aligns with our new strategic plan — Cleveland State University United — that was launched earlier this year and helps to firmly position Cleveland State University as Cleveland’s university.”
Lupica brings more than 20 years of experience in broadcasting. A graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, he began his career at 15, calling high school sports as a color commentator on local access television.
In 2015, he authored The Baseball Stadium Insider, a book featuring all 30 Major League ballparks and more than 300 quotes from players, broadcasters and managers he interviewed in person. He later served as an on-air host for Kent’s NPR affiliate, WKSU-FM 89.7.
Viking Voices provides guests with a platform to share their Cleveland State University stories and experiences while highlighting values from the university’s strategic plan — including community collaboration, serving students and unleashing creativity. In June, men’s basketball coach Rob Summers was the podcast’s first guest, followed by graduate student Tyisha Blade in July.
Beginning in September with the fall semester well under way, Lupica aims to release two episodes each month.
“This is exciting because I love broadcasting and have been doing it since I was 8 years old,” he said. “I would play sports games on Sega, turn down the sound so I could call the action, and then after the game I’d write a recap story as if it were going to appear in the newspaper the next day. This is right up my alley, and I am thankful to Cleveland State University and my MarComm team for allowing me the opportunity to do this.”
Looking ahead, Lupica hinted at some well-known guests joining the show in future episodes.
“Stay tuned, because you never know who’s going to show up on the podcast,” he said. “That’s the beauty of it — so many students, faculty and staff have done great things, and it’s an honor to hear how Cleveland State University put them in a position to realize their infinite opportunities.”
Viking Voices is available through CSU’s official channels and on Spotify.
