WFAN board operator Eddie Scozzare retires after 37-year tenure
Scozzare, who operated the board for iconic New York sports radio shows including those hosted by Don Imus and Mike Francesa, leaves behind a legacy described as irreplaceable within the heritage station’s history.
Eddie Scozzare has retired from New York sports radio station WFAN after 37 years, marking the end of a tenure that saw him become a central figure in the station’s operational history. The retirement was formally celebrated during the station’s 'Kickoff to Summer' event in Belmar, New Jersey, where Scozzare was honoured by colleagues and listeners alike.
Scozzare served as a producer and board operator for some of the station’s most prominent programmes, including shows hosted by Don Imus, Steve Somers, Mike Francesa, and the duo Boomer and Carton. In his final years, he worked alongside producer Al Dukes behind the glass of WFAN’s morning show, which is currently hosted by Boomer Esiason and Gio Benitez.
The station’s leadership highlighted Scozzare’s distinct contribution to the broadcast format. WFAN noted that no other board operator has been with the station for its entirety, and Scozzare’s specific practice of interjecting with sound bites and drops was described as a role no one else has filled for the station’s history. The network compared his integral position to that of Fred Norris on The Howard Stern Show.
During the celebration, hosts Boomer Esiason and Rich Giannotti offered tributes to Scozzare’s professional impact. Esiason expressed gratitude on behalf of the station, while Giannotti emphasised Scozzare’s role in the professional development of his colleagues. Giannotti stated that the success of the staff was directly attributable to the guidance and friendship provided by Scozzare, describing him as a unique and one-of-a-kind figure.
The event drew a significant response from the station’s audience, with listeners attending in Scozzare-themed attire despite him never having hosted a show on the station. As part of the honours, the morning show presented Scozzare with a Ford Bronco. Scozzare also shared personal reflections on his future, noting a regret that he did not study forestry, which had previously hindered his aspiration to become a Park Ranger, and suggesting he may volunteer for National Parks.
