Syracuse University alumnus Bill Leaf, a 2002 graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and a local radio reporter and sports anchor with WSYR-AM and WTVH-5, was killed in an automobile accident when his car was struck by a drunk driver on Interstate 81 in the early morning hours of Sunday, Jan. 8. Following are statements from David Rubin, dean of the Newhouse School, and Chris Bolt, news and public affairs director for WAER-FM, who supervised Leaf in the WAER sports department during his college years.
David Rubin: "It's a great tragedy when someone as young and talented as Bill, who was just at the beginning of his career, is stuck down in such a senseless manner. We at the Newhouse School grieve with his parents and his many colleagues in the media in Syracuse. His voice will be missed."
Chris Bolt: "All of us at WAER were shocked and saddened by the news of Bill's tragic death. Many of us remember when Bill worked at WAER as a student. He was both well liked and interacted with the professional members of the staff better than most. We also recall how committed he was to learning and growth, as he volunteered here dozens of hours a week over several years. More recently, we remember working alongside Bill as a colleague covering news stories. I enjoyed talking with him at length just last Thursday at the mayoral inauguration, commiserating over stories covered and long days worked during the holiday period. We at WAER join other members of the broadcast journalism community in mourning his loss. Our hearts go out to his family, with the thoughts of what a fine young man we knew him to be."
