In a city that boasts an eclectic culinary scene and the famous Golden Gate Bridge, Cody Elias, a graduate of California University of Pennsylvania ‘12, seeked out something different in the Golden City. From California, Pennsylvania to San Francisco, California, Elias set his sights on sports radio after graduation, and moved across the country to follow his dreams.

Elias grew up east of Pittsburgh, in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, and was immersed in sports from the very beginning.

“My childhood was probably like most kids from Western PA,” Elias said. “I grew up playing several sports, including football, baseball, soccer, and basketball. I’m a huge sports fan, which led me to my current career.”

The Bay Area in San Francisco is one of only thirteen cities in the United States with all four major sports teams. After walking across the stage in the Convocation Center, Elias made the cross-country trek to the Bay Area, and began looking for work.

“My first job actually came in radio working overnights for a top 40 station in San Jose,” Elias said. “I continued that for about a year part-time until I got a part-time role at 95.7 the Game.”

When Elias first settled into his role at 95.7 The Game, he knew there would be some rungs on the ladder that he would have to climb. From working nights andFro weekends, to eventually the morning show producer, he rapidly solidified his spot in the Bay Area.

“Moving to the morning show is supposed to take years in the radio industry, but I was moved into the role rather quickly and it took some time and adjusting,” Elias said. “I got the hang of everything after a couple of months.”

The role of morning show producer allows Elias to shine, as he was recently recognized for producing the top sports morning show in the Bay Area.

“Being named the top sports morning show in the Bay Area means a lot to me,” Elias said. “I have been grinding to get to where I am for five and a half years. From working 80 hours a week, to now being a full time morning show producer has been my goal. I work with an incredible team and they have helped guide me as I have done the same to help elevate the show to where it is today.”

For a show that begins at 6 a.m. on the west coast, Elias begins his day at 2:45 a.m. to prepare for the day ahead.

“Our show goes from 6am-10am and I usually book 3-4 guests to come on the program each day,” Elias said. “When I get in, I start gathering the best sound bites from the night before especially if there is a Golden State Warriors game, as we are the flagship station. Once the show is over at 10 a.m., I have some post-production editing to do for our podcasts, and I also start working on guests and researching content for the next day.”

While Elias attended California University of Pennsylvania, he worked two jobs along with an internship at KDKA-TV in the sports department. He also was a member of California University Television (CUTV) where he reported on stories for CUTV NewsCenter.

The draw to Cal U for Elias was the Radio and TV program, and some of his mentors began helping him along in his career during his time in college.

“I have had several mentors throughout my professional career, Elias said. “A few of them are Drew McGukin, Professor Carter and Professor Cumings, all of Cal U, and then my former boss, Terry Myers, my parents, and my current boss, Matt Nahigian.”

For Elias, it was all about adjusting. From the academic buildings on the campus of Cal U to Radio Row for Super Bowl 50, Elias has worked his way to the top.