In the NFL, news out of Foxborough today is that the New England Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski will undergo back surgery this Friday.

After leaving last weekend’s game against the New York Jets and not returning, Gronkowski was diagnosed with a herniated disk in his back. This will be the third time since 2009 that Gronkowski will undergo surgery on his back for a herniated disk, with the recovery time this time expected to be approximately two months.

This isn’t the first time this year that ‘Gronk’ has been bit by the injury bug, as the 27 year old missed the beginning of the season dealing with a hamstring injury, and missed the Patriots’ game two weeks ago against the San Francisco 49ers with a punctured lung.

Gronkowski has appeared in eight games this season, only starting in six of them, but has still recorded 25 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Even if the Patriots were to advance to Super Bowl LI, the game is scheduled for February 5^th; meaning Gronkowski’s season is likely over, barring a New England playoff run.

OSWEGO, N.Y. – Students and faculty gathered Monday to hear about the professional journalism experiences of Oswego State alumnus Quindell Williams (‘11) in the Marano Campus Center Auditorium.

Williams works for Syracuse based TV station CNYCentral as a photojournalist and video editor. During his five years at the station, he was part of the team that won a regional Emmy award for best Daytime Newscast. Williams also holds other awards from the Syracuse Press Club and New York State Associated Press.

“I love what I do, I love my job,” he said.

His motivation in life comes from his child. “Every time I look at my son I have to do better, doesn’t matter what it is,” he said.

Williams began his career in broadcasting at CNYCentral as a master control operator for one year, a job he got right out of college. A career fair at Oswego State presented him with the opportunity. He did work to get himself to the point of getting hired as master control.

“Things I did (in college) helped mold and shape me to what I am now,” Williams said.

He spoke to the audience about his time in college, at both Oswego State and Onondaga County Community College. He was involved with several clubs on campus at Oswego State such as the Black Student Union, African Latino Asian and Native Americans (ALANA), WNYO 88.9 FM, and WTOP-TV.

His advice for students, was simple. “Be prepared to seize the moment,” Williams said. “Try to surround yourself with people trying to reach the next level.”
The program was put on by Voices of Diversity, currently in their sixth year of holding events like this one to encourage diversity.