SYRACUSE — A big surprise capped-off last night’s edition of NewsChannel 9 at 6:00. Jeff Kulikowsky told co-anchor Christie Casciano that she’s being added to the Syracuse Press Club’s “Wall of Distinction” inside the Mulroy Civic Center. Casciano was so surprised, she could barely speak.
Here’s the video from the ABC affiliate’s YouTube channel:
From the final minutes of last night’s 6pm broadcast, Kulikowsky said he “found out just before the show” and received permission to surprise his colleague with the announcement on the air.
Casciano has been with NewsChannel 9 since 1986 and has anchored every timeslot on the station, starting out with mornings and noon, later moving to the evening broadcasts. Prior to joining channel 9, Casciano spent a year in Rochester right after graduating from Syracuse University. During her time at SU, she got her first job in news as a reporter for WHEN radio.
A spot on the Wall of Distinction is the highest honor one can receive from the Syracuse Press Club.
Among other NewsChannel 9 names on the wall: video editor Shawn Wayson (inducted 2021), late photographer Eddie Jones (2020), former anchors Dan Cummings (2018) and Carrie Lazarus (2015), former news director Ron Lombard (2010), and some local news legends who’ve since left us including Bill Carey (2007), Mike Price (2004), Andy Brigham (2003), Jack Morse (2002), Rod Wood (2001) and Nancy Duffy (2000).
Prior to his honor, Casciano was a previous recipient of the SPC’s “Professional Standards Award,” recalls Kulikowsky in an article on channel 9’s website. Her work on topics ranging from traffic safety to gang violence have earned her many other accolades including an Edward R. Murrow Award and an Emmy nomination.
Kulikowsky wrote, “Christie is an amazing storyteller with some of the strongest writing skills around. She has been a mentor to dozens of reporters and producers who have come to call NewsChannel 9 | LocalSYR.com home at some point in their careers.”
In addition to her work for TV, Casciano is also an accomplished author: she has published three books in her “Puck Hog” series of hockey-themed stories for children, along with magazine columns from her experience as a “hockey mom” to her two children. In 2013, she and longtime local TV colleagues Lou Gulino and Tim Fox literally wrote the book on “Syracuse Television History.”
Kulikowsky said, “We’re honored to work with such a remarkable journalist, author, community partner and friend.”
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