David Gay is always on the move. The Onondaga Community College student-athlete spends his time running with teammates, producing sports content, promoting Student Government, and preparing for a future career behind a microphone. And that’s exactly the way he likes it.
Gay is a 2024 graduate of Henninger High School who is pursuing a degree in Broadcast Media Communications (BMC) at Onondaga Community College. He is also a member of the College’s nationally ranked Men’s Track & Field team, competing in the 400- and 800-meter events, and serves as Student Government’s Chair of Social Media and Marketing.
His three interests - athletics, broadcasting, and leadership - are closely connected. “OCC was always one of the main colleges on my mind. I knew they had one of the top track teams in the country, I knew there would be an opportunity for me, and I had friends coming here.”
Continuing to play sports as long as possible was a big factor in where he went to school. “It was very important for me to keep competing in college. It’s one of my primary motivators. I’m a sports-oriented person, and I’m a BMC major because I want to be a sports broadcaster.”
At OCC, Gay has found plenty of opportunities to pursue both interests. His experience on the track has also introduced him to people who have influenced him beyond competition. One of them was former Lazers teammate Paul Clark, who won a national championship in the 8,000-meter race last year. “Paul was a very inspirational guy to be around. His work ethic, his drive were awesome to see in person.” The two also became friends, playing pickleball, volleyball, and video games together.
That combination of athletics and camaraderie is part of what Gay values about the OCC experience. So is the chance to gain practical experience in BMC. “I think the program is really well-rounded. You get experience in the TV studio, you get experience being out in the field, and you get experience on how to make media with your phone.”
That last skill is particularly useful for Gay, who has already begun building his own sports media brand. He runs “The David Report,” an Instagram page devoted to covering Section 3 athletics. The project allows him to do more than study sports broadcasting in the classroom. He is actively practicing it - developing content, telling stories, and learning how to connect with an audience.
His interest in communication has also carried over into campus leadership. Gay has always been interested in leadership roles, and when he saw OCC’s Student Government had an opening for someone focused on social media, he took advantage of the opportunity to combine two of his interests.
Gay plans to complete his OCC degree in May 2027, then transfer to a four-year college. He hopes to continue his athletic career as well.
