A Knight at the Press Conference Table

Charlie Carbonetto, MSM’25, assistant athletic director for [Knights] athletics communications, has worked at the Men’s College World Series (CWS) for the past two years as a press conference moderator. As the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series approaches, FDU sat down with Carbonetto to discuss his time working at the collegiate level. Read more about his experience below.

FDU: How did you become involved with the Men’s College World Series?

Charlie Carbonetto: It came about how all good things do in this world. Through an FDU connection! Former director of media relations for the Knights, Jordan Sarnoff, BA’ 24 (Metro), was working at the University Nebraska Omaha (UNO). In 2025, UNO became an official co-host of the CWS. As they were filling out their media coordination staff for the event, Jordan reached out and offered me a spot on the team. 

Carbonetto at the press conference table in Omaha, Neb.

FDU: What role did you have during your time there and what work did the job entail?

CC: I worked alongside the NCAA media coordination staff as the press conference moderator. There are several press conferences throughout the Series, starting with a media day where all eight teams have a presser. That’s a long but fun day — you get to hear the players talk while the glow of Omaha is fresh in their eyes. After that, each team has a press conference after every game they play and then there is a pre-championship press conference for the two teams that advance.

Simply, my job is to keep the press conferences moving and within the allotted time limit. I introduce the teams as they arrive on the dais, offer a couple of reminders for the media, and then explain the structure of the press conference. Once the questions begin, I queue up the reporters. The most important part for me is making sure that I split the questions evenly between national and local media. Sometimes there are more questions in the room than time allows. In those cases, I use my judgment to decide ‘Okay, this reporter has been covering their team all year. I need to get their question in,’ or ‘This is a reporter with a national following; it will be important for the Series’ visibility to get their question in.’

FDU: What does a typical day look like for someone on the media coordination team during the CWS, and how does it change from the first pitch to the championship game?

CC: The media coordination team holds several roles. Some members are the official scorers, others attain the starting lineups from team personnel. After the game, staff members are assigned to the teams and escort players and coaches to TV and radio appearances.

The media coordination team also prints out box scores, game notes and programs to be passed out to the members of the media in the press box.

Additionally, the staff is responsible for sharing information regarding first pitch times, weather updates, etc.

NCAA media coordination staff is there to serve the media, to make sure they have the information they need, and to make sure they are staying within the guidelines of the World Series.

The biggest change from first pitch to the championship comes from postgame protocol. As the Series rolls on, the postgame protocol becomes routine. However, when there is a chance of a trophy being handed out, it all changes. We have pre-championship meetings to make sure everything is in order and to be sure of the order of events. This involves the timing of allowing photographers on the field, when reporters will be allowed to talk to the players, what TV spots the winning team has to do, etc.

FDU: For students or young professionals interested in sports communications, what advice would you give about breaking into the industry and preparing for an event as large as the College World Series?

CC: Say ‘yes’ to all opportunities offered to you. I started out broadcasting games at local Division III colleges in my hometown, and the trajectory of my career in sports communications can be traced directly back to those gigs. I would not have been able to get my foot in the door without those broadcasts on my resume.

FDU: The CBWS is full of unforgettable moments. Can you share a behind-the-scenes story of a memorable game or experience that fans never got to see?

CC: Well, my most ‘memorable’ moment played out on social media for thousands of people to see. Google ‘Kevin Schnall pronounces Chanticleers.’ If you want to be a press conference moderator at the College World Series, I suggest learning to properly pronounce the names of all the mascots.

In all seriousness, it is a moment I can look back on and laugh about now. Multiple reporters joked with me this year about how to pronounce the different mascot names. It is certainly a moment I will never forget.