College Corner: John Leuzzi ’19, Marquette University

In 2015, John Leuzzi ’19 joined the WSJP Student Broadcasting Club as a freshman lacking knowledge, experience, and confidence. “I did not know anything–how to talk on air or what to do in terms of what we produced,” he says. “One day, I went on air and completely froze after the intros because I didn’t know what to say.” From these humble beginnings, Leuzzi has progressed tremendously to become the recipient of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s 2022 Collegiate Journalist of the Year for this work on the Marquette University Wire. 

Following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, who are both alums, Leuzzi found a natural fit at the Prep. During his time, he served as a Kairos leader, worked four years as the baseball team manager, and was a sports writer for the Hawkeye. Most notably, he was a four-year member of WSJP, serving as co-vice president for two years and co-president during his senior year. It was during these four years in WSJP that Leuzzi developed into a consummate reporter. 

Leuzzi credits Mr. Bill Avington ’90, moderator of WSJP, with believing in him, instilling confidence, and providing a place for growth. As Leuzzi notes, most of his counterparts in college did not have the same opportunities. “WSJP is very special and unique,” says Leuzzi. “It helped me differentiate myself when starting in college and it really jump started my career path and desire to work in this industry.” 

Leuzzi also cherishes the mentorship of head baseball coach Anthony Valucci. The two even teamed up during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to start a Prep sports podcast, which shared stories from athletes, coaches, administrators, and alumni during the 2020-21 school year. Lastly, Leuzzi acknowledges the immense role his WSJP counterparts Simon Williams ’18, Ricky Weipz ’19, and Dan Avington ’18 continue to play in his success as a reporter.

When preparing for college, Leuzzi was keen to continue his Jesuit education. “It was important for me to go to a Jesuit institution after the Prep,” Leuzzi recalls. “Ideals like ‘men and women for and with others’ and cura personalis molded me into who I am.” Now a rising senior, Leuzzi is beginning his fourth year working for the school’s student media organization, the Marquette Wire.He has risen through the ranks in roles including sports reporter, assistant sports editor, and sports audio producer. Currently, Leuzzi serves as the executive sports editor and head beat reporter for the men’s basketball team – a position that afforded him opportunities to travel to New York for the Big East tournament and to Texas for the NCAA tournament. For the past two summers, Leuzzi has worked for the Mystic Schooners of the New England Collegiate Baseball League as the director of broadcast and media relations. Since January, he also worked as a content intern with The Basketball Tournament.

Besides being at Marquette with Dan Avington and continuing to learn under his leadership, Leuzzi draws other parallels between his position at the Wire and his time at WSJP. “Being the executive editor is really cool because, like during my time with WSJP at the Prep, I’m able to give back in the same way my mentors gave to me,” he says. “My favorite part of the position is being able to mold and prepare the next generation of leaders at the Wire.” 

Serving as a mentor comes naturally for Leuzzi, who is the oldest of four siblings, who include Nick ’21 and Sal ’23. “It’s never a bother for me to answer questions or to help in any way I can, no matter how busy I may be,” he says. “This was the same way my mentors would clear their schedules to help me.” As a true man for and with others, Leuzzi takes a genuine responsibility and pride in being there for anyone on his staff who may be struggling, or simply to provide feedback.

Leuzzi plans to graduate from Marquette in the spring of 2023 with a degree in journalism and a digital media minor. He hopes to find a job in print journalism as a beat writer in the greater Philadelphia area.