"Bowled" over by YNN tour

The broadcast journalism students took a recent field trip to the Albany Bowling Center. They were just eleven years later if the planned on doing any actual bowling. The alley was converted into a television station more than a decade ago, but walking through the YNN front doors -- it stills feels like the receptionist should be handing out bowl balls. 

The main lobby -- an homage to the station's past -- still bears the same wood paneled floors, only the gutters are missing. But the minute you breach the lobby doors, it's clear - the building is no longer a house of strikes and spares.

At the start of the tour, the students were greeted by the news director. He graciously spent 15 minutes with the future broadcasters explaining how YNN's product differs from its competition. The tour went through the newsroom, into each studio (which included fun at the weather wall), in and out of identical control rooms, and then through master control. 

Along the way -- the students had the chance to interact with the on-air talent, producers, assignment editors and members of the production team.

All in all -- it was great experience... and no one had to rent shoes!