Network Legends: The Heite Legacy
Freshman Year…
Basketball season was about to begin. Jon Heite ‘20 took the court for tryouts. After a few years of playing at St. Benedict School, it was finally Heite’s time to try out for the big leagues–CBA Basketball.
Unfortunately, Heite did not make the cut. But that’s not where the story ends. He had other plans at the Academy. He wanted to join the up-and-coming broadcast network here at CBA.
It was destiny when an email was sent out. Mr. Lutz was looking for people to control the music at the home basketball games. Heite took the opportunity right away and was on the sideline for many games.
“One of my favorite memories of my time at CBA was watching the games from the sidelines with Mr. Frake while controlling the music,” he said. “It was really the beginning of something much larger that would change my life.”
Heite also became close with the athletic director at the time, Mr. Vito Chiaravalloti, and CBA Digital Network moderator, Mr. Jason Lutz. These relationships would eventually mean a lot in the coming years.
Heite also looked up to Jack Coleman and Aidan Broderick, who were the faces of the network at the time. The future seemed promising for the young freshman.
Sophomore Year…
When Heite returned to the Academy, he decided to take Lutz’s period zero class–Media, Marketing and Broadcasting. He learned key aspects of journalism in this class that he would eventually use later in his career.
Heite went on to try out for the Colt Morning Sports Reporter job. Many tried out, but Heite was one of the top prospects for the gig. However, Heite did not get the job, but this was not the last time he would be in this position.
Junior Year…
In his third year at the academy, Heite had finally paid his dues and became a lead broadcaster for the CBA Digital Network.
It was the glory days for the CBA Digital Network. More students were joining the network, and Heite even became a mentor to younger members. Heite and Shane Brennan ‘20 were the headliners of the network and left viewers wanting more after broadcasts. The future certainly looked bright.
Senior Year…
“Aedan Moran was the key to me becoming the Colt Morning Sports Reporter,” Heite said. “He put my name into the running, and truly helped me out.”
Heite looked forward to 2020, and in his senior year, he became one of the most known figures in CBA through the Colt Morning Sports Reporter job.
Teachers, students, and Brothers all knew his name. Heite, Brennan, Jack Hipschman ‘20, and more also commentated on hockey while also doing basketball.
It was an eventful year, to say the least, as Heite was also the voice of a CBA radio advertisement, which aired for a month on 94.3 the Point.
“Both Brother Frank and Mr. Lutz helped me with the radio ad,” he said. “It exposed me to a field that I ended up getting into.”
Then the virus hit and his senior year came to a screeching halt. The virus kept CBA at home for the rest of the year but, Heite did have a chance to sign off as Colt Morning Sports reporter.
In a CBA Digital Network video, he gave an inspirational speech, keeping the student body’s heads up during this dark time. Heite graduated on a hot day in July, and he may have lost his senior year, but little did he know that college would be a whole new ballgame.
A Continuous Legacy…
In the meantime, Heite currently goes to Seton Hall University. Advancing his career in sports media, Heite is now the current sports web editor/assistant sports director at 89.5 FM WSOU, which is the Seton Hall radio station. He is in charge of editing all articles that go on their main website, and he is on-air virtually every week, as he also commentates numerous sports, including the nationally-ranked men’s basketball team.
https://twitter.com/WSOUSports/status/1407805669529452545/photo/3
In addition to radio, he also is a member of Seton Hall Pirate Television and has had many unique opportunities from these two organizations alone.
He certainly had a profound impact on the Academy, as everyone at CBA knows the name Heite.
As his brother, I can tell you that personally. Following in the footsteps of my brother, I joined the Network as a freshman and continue to contribute today.
He has inspired the younger generations of the network to express themselves whether it be on the writing or broadcasting front. Heite is a name that will be remembered for years to come…
