Ever since Robert Healy III was young, he was drawn to sports. Community libraries became portals to explore his interest. He was mesmerized after checking out a cassette tape of legendary Pittsburgh Penguins broadcasters Mike Lange and Paul Steigerwald from the library. “To me nothing beats the excitement of live sports,” says Healy. In the days before the internet made incredible images of professional athletes a Google search away, Healy was eager for information about his heroes. “I used to go into that library and look for any book I could find on Roberto Clemente. I would try to find a dime to make a photocopy, so that I’d have a photo of Clemente,” recalls Healy. Clemente was his favorite player, both for his athleticism and altruism. “He used his physical abilities as an athlete to make the world a better place,” shares Healy.
Healy was active in athletics throughout his formative years. By the time he arrived at Baldwin High School, he knew he wanted a career that allowed him to cover sports. “I was very lucky that heading into high school I already knew what I wanted to be,” he recalls.
He played football and competed in track and field for the Fighting Highlanders. A decorated athlete, Healy was an All State medalist in discus; WPIAL runner-up in discus; WPIAL medalist in the shot put; and finished third in the shot put in the Baldwin Invitational.
Healy continued to hone his skills off the field as well, taking classes and participating in clubs that would prepare him for a career in journalism, from public speaking to graphic design. He served on the school newspaper, The Purbalite, under the direction of Baldwin High School teacher Christine Kondrot and worked as copy editor of the yearbook.
After graduating from Baldwin High School in 2001, Healy earned a B.A. in Communication Studies and M.S. in Multimedia Technology from Duquesne University. After working in journalism, Healy returned to his alma mater to teach. He currently serves as an assistant professor of media at Duquesne University. During his time on the faculty at Duquesne, he recognized an opportunity for an additional major to complement the Department of Media’s offerings. This led Healy to pioneer the Sports Information and Media program at Duquesne. The program prepares students for a broad range of jobs in sports journalism, particularly as sports teams now create their own content for fans.
Duquesne is uniquely positioned to offer this major. “As a Division I school and host of March Madness, we are able to give our students opportunities to be in the middle of the activity,” explains Healy. Duquesne was the first school in Pittsburgh to offer this major, and the program is now being emulated by other universities. Graduates from Duquesne’s program now work for professional sports teams in Pittsburgh and across the country, from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The success of alumni has fed the growth of the program. “Our students are making it and the evidence we share resonates with people. Existing and prospective students think ‘that’s exactly what I want: I want to be interviewing Sidney Crosby,’” says Healy.
As co-founder of the Sports Information and Media program, Healy maintains a schedule of teaching responsibilities and charting a course for the major. He teaches courses, mentors students, and facilitates internship opportunities, in addition to duties that serve the Media Department as a whole.
Healy has also found a way to unite athletics and altruism. In 2016, Healy’s father-in-law was in critical need of a liver transplant. Healy became a living donor, sharing part of his liver with his father-in-law. Livers regenerate in donors, enabling individuals to donate without long-term compromises. Healy’s recovery was so complete that this year he competed in the Transplant Games of America. The games bring together organ donors and recipients to shine a light on the importance of organ donation. “The Transplant Games was an opportunity to show people that you can regain your strength and compete even after doing this serious surgery,” shares Healy. Healy not only medaled in his events, but set records. He earned medals in the 100-meter dash, long jump, discus throw, shot put, softball throw, 50-yard freestyle swim, 100-yard freestyle swim, and pickleball. His efforts also broke all-time records among donors in discus and shot. Healy found it inspiring to share his story of organ donation through this athletic event. “It’s the closest I can feel to being like Roberto Clemente,” he shares.
Anyone interested in organ donation can visit the Center for Organ Recovery & Education’s website to learn more about the many ways to offer this life-giving gift.
A sought-after writer and speaker, Healy was named one of Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 under 40. He has contributed to numerous publications, including authoring chapters in Pittsburgh's Civic Arena: Stories from the Igloo, Unlucky 21: The Saddest Stories and Games in Pittsburgh, and Where Pittsburgh Played: Oakland’s Historic Sports Venues. Healy is still connected to the Baldwin-Whitehall School District. His daughters, Rhiannon and Josephine, attend school at J. E. Harrison Education Center.
Healy continues to give back to the community libraries that propelled his dreams as a student. Healy was on the fundraising team for the new Baldwin Borough Public Library. Through the library’s new space, a new generation of students can discover heroes and explore their dreams.