What does a week in the life of WTAE’s news anchor and sports director look like? Nonstop, for starters. Keep up with the Chicago native—who won an Emmy Award for Best Sportscast in 2014—as he anchors Action News 4 each weeknight, directs Action Sports during the start of football season and shares his passion for the people and places of Pittsburgh. A graduate of Ohio University’s Honors Tutorial College, Stockey worked at Fox News and ESPN before starting at WTAE in 1995.
Monday, September 14:
10 a.m. After a quick getaway weekend, the final one before football season really begins, I’ll be busy packing up my apartment this morning. I just bought a new house about 10 minutes outside Pittsburgh, and as you will see from my schedule, I need every free minute to pack and prepare to close and move in over the next two weeks.
1 p.m. I have been a trustee at Chatham University for the last decade or so. We have fall meetings and I always want to help out and be involved if my schedule allows. Today, we are meeting on the school’s lovely campus located in Shadyside. Truly a hidden gem in the city of Pittsburgh.
2 p.m. My day at WTAE in Wilkinsburg has begun though I’m never out of touch thanks to a pair of cell phones and a never ending desire to check e-mail and Twitter. My duties include co-anchoring the hourlong 5 p.m. news broadcast with Wendy Bell and presenting the 6 and 11 p.m. sports broadcasts while managing the sports department and staff. While the work day sounds straightforward, as they say in the business, breaking news changes everything.
Tuesday, September 15
12 p.m. My desire to meet and engage with viewers often takes me outside the city limits. Today, I am speaking with students at Westmoreland County Community College, sharing stories of my career in broadcasting and some of the interesting people I have met and places I have traveled.
7 p.m. I try to break away from WTAE after the early news to enjoy the evening weather and the Pirates. I usually drive into town and then walk from Market Square to the Golden Triangle T station, taking the short ride under the river to PNC Park. I will normally slip into the press box and catch a few innings of the game before I have to head back and anchor the 11 p.m. sports. Win or lose, the view from the press box at the ballpark is second to none. It’s breathtaking.
Wednesday, September 16
11 a.m. Late this morning, I will get together with my realtor to do some measuring and get some furnishing ideas. Through my house search, I found Pittsburgh has so much to offer and so many different styles of homes and amenities. My hope was to live on the South Side, where I often go to grab my coffee, but practical matters ( two-car garage ) took my search outside the city.
1 p.m. One of my “go-to” spots is Delanie’s Coffee on East Carson Street. I have a passion for black coffee and do my best to support locally-owned businesses. Delanie’s just has a lot of character and I guess I’ve been there so much, I don’t even have to order anymore.
7 p.m. Following the early news, I will hop in the car and head south to the Meadows Racetrack and Casino. They are serving as hosts for this month’s Pittsburgh Social Exchange event. I joined the organization a few years ago. I think their idea of connecting local business professionals in a social setting in different venues around the area is appealing. Usually a couple of hundred people attend and you never know what connections you can make.
Thursday, September 17
11 a.m. Another morning coffee run and, once again, I’m on the South Side. I have been a regular at Crazy Mocha on Carson Street since I met the owner at a car show downtown years ago. While black with no sugar is normal, I always fall victim to their Wild Berry smoothies. My morning to-do list will also take me to Squirrel Hill to pick up and drop off my dry cleaning at Four Seasons on Murray Avenue.
7 p.m. Final game of the series between the Pirates and Cubs. Instead of taking the T, I will enjoy a stroll across the Clemente Bridge and a walk through the Cultural District. I always enjoy walking through town and I love sampling the restaurants when I can: from old standbys like Morton’s and Eddie Merlot’s, to new and cutting-edge spots like Täkō. Just not enough time to sample them all.
Friday, September 18
I will be in football mode today.
1 p.m. I will head down to the Steelers offices to do final interviews with players prior to Sunday’s game. I find that the end of the week is a good time to talk to players and get their final insights before kickoff. After stopping by the team’s South Side location, I will stop by Cup-ka-Joe just down the road. Good coffee but love the garage door opening to the parking lot seating area.
Fridays during the fall are my favorite. It’s “Operation Football” day when we get busy with coverage of the local high school football scene and produce a 15-minute recap program on the 11 p.m. broadcast. It’s tough to go anywhere or do anything, so I will hunker down and work in the studio from the time I arrive until we are done at 12 a.m.
Saturday, September 19
10:30 a.m. I will sleep in this morning after a late night at work. Like many Pittsburghers, I like to spend my Saturday mornings in the Strip. I’m not a great cook so I’m not searching for ingredients to help create some recipe. I do love to hit Wholey’s for some fresh fish, stop by Yinzers to see the latest in clothing for the fashionable sports fan and hit Leaf & Bean for that morning cup of coffee. Best part about Saturdays in the Strip: I love to people watch.
I used to be a runner but the days of long distance running are done for me, so I will enjoy renting a bike and riding along the river trails in the city. I never get bored of the views as I bike along the Mon or the Allegheny.
Sunday September 20
11 a.m. The Steelers home opener has arrived. I usually park in the Strip and then will take a nice long walk, weather permitting, to Heinz Field during the late morning to visit my friends who have a dock on the North Shore. They have a festive pre-game tailgate and I love to stop by to enjoy it. It’s more about renewing acquaintances than food and drink. Anyway, I have to behave because I have to cover the game and turn in stories for the 6:30 and 11 p.m. newscasts. Normally, I don’t leave Heinz Field and get back to my car until 7:30 p.m. on game days when I work. By then, I can’t wait to just crash on the couch at home and watch highlights of all the other games I missed because I was busy following Pittsburgh’s team.