SAU communication students earn 11 first-place awards

At St. Ambrose University, communication students chase down leads, broadcast games, and create and host podcasts. Every game, every story, every episode is a chance to put theory into practice, perfect their craft, and build a resume, helping them land their dream job.

It’s clear St. Ambrose’s program is shaping compelling and creative storytellers. This spring, the program earned 27 awards across three regional and state competitions, including 11 first-place designations.

“It is truly an honor to be in this position,” said CJ Boone ’26, who won multiple first-place awards for radio sports play-by-play. “This program has given me opportunities that I didn't think were possible.”

Communication students find a home in the Galvin Fine Arts Center, where St. Ambrose has a TV studio with professional equipment and production sets. There, students produce the award-winning weekly news show, “SAU Weekly.” It’s also home to KALA radio, a 24/7 FM broadcast station. There, students announce play-by-play for live sports broadcasts, run board for music shows, and can produce their own podcast. The program prepares students for jobs in marketing, journalism, social media, public relations, and brand strategy, to name a few.

This experiential learning helped Boone land a coveted internship with the Upper Valley Nighthawks, an amateur baseball team in Vermont. He'll be the play-by-play announcer for the team on ESPN+ and the co-host of the weekly Hawks Talk Podcast.

“I wouldn't be able to do this without SAU, KALA, and the amazing people around me guiding me along the way,” Boone said.

In addition to SAUtv and KALA, students have the chance to dive deep into multimedia storytelling through The Hive, the student media hub for St. Ambrose University. Here, students publish video, audio, and written content. It’s also the official home of the student-run e-newspaper, The Buzz. This year, The Hive earned second-place recognition for “Best Media Website.”

Graduating senior Mallary Helmig ’26 says the communication program has given her real-world experience she wouldn’t find anywhere else. Helmig won “Best Feature” from the Iowa Broadcast News Association for her story showcasing St. Ambrose students operating a food pantry for the local community.

“Especially my professors Greg Armstrong and Jordan Franks, they encourage me to think more strategically about how stories are told and how they reach an audience,” Helmig said. “That perspective has been especially valuable as I go into marketing, where understanding how to connect with people through content is key.”

Ross Willerth '26, who will also graduate in spring 2026, says the opportunities he’s had through the communication department have given him a strong foundation for the future.

“If St. Ambrose did not put me both in front of and behind a camera in my sports media class freshman year, I don't know if I would have made it this far into the program,” Willerth said. “Now, I'm going into job applications filled with confidence that I have award-winning experience to bring to the table on projects that are extremely similar to what is done in the professional world.”

St. Ambrose University is proud to share the awards our talented students earned in the 2026 season. Imagine what you can do with a communication degree from St. Ambrose. Explore our program.

Iowa College Media Association Awards

KALA

1^st Place – Best Sports Broadcast: SAU MBB vs. WIU 12/4/24
Ryan Schiestel ‘25 and Luke Vera ‘24 

2^nd Place – Best Sports Broadcast: SAU Football vs. William Woods 9/20/25
CJ Boone ‘26 and Collen Mauga ‘29

3^rd Place – Best Sports Broadcast: SAU WSOC Conference Championship
Ryan Schiestel ‘25 and Jorge Brizuela ‘25

1^st Place – Best Sports Program: Unsportsmanlike Conduct 
Ryan Schiestel ‘25, Luke Vera ‘24, AJ Tappa

2^nd Place – Best Podcast Series: Healthy Habits
Sydnee Horstman ‘26

1^st Place – Best Variety, Music, and Comedy, Video Program: Favorite Finds with KALA Ross Willerth ‘26

SAUtv

1^st Place – Best Video Newscast: SAU Weekly: March 14, 2025

3^rd Place – Best Video Newscast: SAU Weekly: April 4, 2025

1^st Place – Best Video Promo or PSA: Trash Can Annie
Ross Willerth ‘26. 

3^rd Place – Best Entertainment Storytelling Package: Walk A Mile for Sexual Assault Awareness
Evie Breitbach ‘25. 

3^rd Place – Best Multimedia Storytelling Package: DEI or DIE Pt. 4: “We’re Not Going Away”
Grant Ward ‘26

Honorable Mention – Best News, Public Affairs, and Sports Reporting Package: “We’re Not Going Away”
Grant Ward ‘26

The Buzz

2^nd Place – Best Media Website: The Hive

3^rd Place – Best Print/Online News Reporting: Chicago on ICE: Students Voice Concern
John Breakey ‘28

Honorable Mention – Best Print/Online Investigative Reporting: International Students “Walk A Tightrope”
Mallary Helmig ‘26

Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association Awards

KALA

Award of Merit – Talk/Public Affairs (Student Market Radio): Favorite Finds with KALA: Kyle Carter
Ross Willerth ‘26

SAUtv

Award of Merit – General Reporting:Bee Nourished Steps Up to Fill Food Gap
Mallary Helmig ‘26

Iowa Broadcast News Association Awards

KALA

1^st Place – Sports Play-by-Play: SAU Football vs. Graceland – 10/18/25
CJ Boone ‘26 and Collen Mauga ‘29 

3^rd Place – Sports Play-By-Play: SAU Football vs. William Woods – 9/20/25
CJ Boone ‘26 and Collen Mauga ‘29

1^st Place – Best Student Podcast: Healthy Habits
Sydnee Hoestman ‘26

3^rd Place – Best Student Podcast: Did You Know They’re Canadian: Rush
Ross Willerth ‘26

SAUtv

1^st Place – Overall Excellence

1^st Place –Best Newscast: SAU Weekly - September 12, 2025

3^rd Place – Best Sportscast

1^st Place – Best Feature: Bee Nourished Steps Up to Fill Food Gap
Mallary Helmig ‘26

3^rd Place – Public Affairs: “We’re Not Going Away”
Grant Ward ‘26

3^rd Place – Sports Coverage: Raging Rivalries and Sweeping Victories
Grant Ward ‘26