Courtesy Herkimer Telegram

(May 11, 2009) He has come a long way since his days as a newspaper delivery boy here in Herkimer. “Ever since I was a kid, I knew that I wanted to either be a radio DJ or a sportscaster,” said former Herkimer resident Lane Casadonte. He has done both. On April 18, Lane was named “Best Sports Anchor” by the Associated Press (AP) of Virginia during the agency’s annual banquet at the Crowne Plaza West Hotel in Richmond.

Casadonte’s career began here in the Mohawk Valley, where he graduated from Herkimer High School in 1987. He attended HCCC for two years, majoring in radio/t.v. broadcasting. After leaving HCCC, he took a year off, during which time he worked as a DJ for ROCK 107 in Utica. From there, he headed to SUNY Plattsburg, where he earned a degree in mass communications in 1992.

Since then, there has been no looking back. “I was fortunate, I landed a job in communications right out of college,” said Casadonte, working as a news photographer and part-time sportscaster for WUTR, Channel 20, in Utica. At the time, Channel 20 was owned by the same corporation that owned CBS 6 WTVR in Richmond, Virginia. Casadonte transferred down to Richmond, where he continued his work as a news photographer. In 1995, after a year behind the camera, he was promoted to Weekend Sports Anchor at WTVR. In 1998, he was named sports director for the station and has since garnered much recognition for his work there, including several AP awards for outstanding sports coverage. In 2002, he was named “Best Up-and-Coming Sportscaster” by the readers of Richmond Magazine.

In spite of his many accomplishments, Casadonte remains driven solely by his love for what he does. “When I was 8 or 9 years old, we began watching the news at dinner time every evening,” said Casadonte, “Even then, I was fascinated with it, and knew what path I wanted to take in life.”

He credits his parents, James and Rosemary, for their support and willingness to let him pursue his dreams. “This was a business that none of us knew anything about,” said Casadonte, “it is a small and cut-throat field, where anything can happen.” “But,” he continued, “in spite of that, my parents encouraged me to go after what I wanted.” Initially, he saw himself working at ESPN, “but as time goes by, priorities change,” he said. “And I realized that I am exactly where I wanted to be. For me, it is not about seeing how high I can get anymore,” he continued, “its about focusing on what really matters.” Casadonte is married to former news anchor Deborah Cox, and they reside in Richmond with their children, Connor, 6, and Mary Catherine, 3, and their dog, Murphy.

In being recognized as Best Sports Anchor, Casadonte acknowledges that he is just one part of an integrated team. “Nothing in this business is individual,” he said, “The news team works together to make this happen every night. The recognition really belongs to everybody.”

Casadonte will be coming home to Herkimer this summer with his son, to participate for the third time in the Boilermaker Road Race on July 12. During that time, he will also spend time with his mom and dad, celebrating his mother’s birthday, and his father’s retirement. “It is going to be a chaotic and wonderful weekend,” he said, “But it will be good to be back home.”