GOSHEN — “No one can say Goshen residents don’t have patience,” said one resident as a crowd of approximately 150 to 200 people waited several hours for the arrival of Al Roker, the weatherman for the Today Show.

Roker arrived in Goshen today as part of his Rokerthon2, where he reports the weather from all 50 states while also supporting Feeding America, an organization devoted to feeding those in need across the nation.

After greeting fans, Roker gave a brief interview to Mike Hoffman, weatherman for NBC affiliate WNDU. Roker said he’s visited all 50 states before, but it took him 40 years, but doing it in a week is very different. “My job is easy, it’s the crew who puts this all together, handles the logistics that have the tough job,” he said.

He also told Hoffman he’s “never been to Goshen before.” Since the start, Rokerthon2 has been “Fortunate enough to be 24 hours ahead of bad weather.”

Roker was presented the key to the city by Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman and presented with a gift basket from Goshen Chamber President David Daughtery.

Along with doing interviews with local NBC affiliates from South Bend and Fort Wayne, Roker also did a brief interview with Goshen High School TV. Brady Bechtel, a GHS TV reporter, explained Goshen High School students were retiring their mascot after 90 years and were voting today on a new one.

Roker was given an honorary vote on Goshen High School mascots. He chose the Goshen Wolfpack to screams of approval from the crowd. Other choices were Goshen Gladiators, Goshen Spartans and the Goshen Redhawks.

In addition to local dignitaries, on hand to greet Roker were members of the Goshen High School band, winter sports athletes, Goshen residents and fans from the area. After his arrival, Roker went to Goshen College where another large crowd waited for him at the Adelphean Fountain by the Goshen College Administration Building.

Roker arrived on a large Lear jet and had to receive special permission from Goshen Airport Manager Randy Sharkey to land at Goshen. Sharkey explained the jet Roker uses is heavier than the runway can handle under normal conditions. Having a jet that large land at the airport a few times a year does not pose a problem.