STAA Clients Get Sportscasting Jobs

(February 22, 2012) Justin Shackil was torn between three career opportunities and which one would get him closer to his ultimate goal of becoming a Major League Baseball play-by-play broadcaster. After long and careful deliberation, Shackil is joining the Mobile BayBears as Director of Broadcasting/Media Relations.

The BayBears are the AA affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Shackil replaces fellow STAA client Wayne Randazzo, who recently resigned to accept a similar position with the Kane County Cougars.

A 2009 graduate of Fordham University, Shackil was a member of STAA’s inaugural class of All-American’s, finishing as the second ranked collegiate sports broadcaster in the country and runner up for the Jim Nantz Award. After spending the past two summers as a broadcasting and media assistant at the AA level with the Trenton Thunder and Tennessee Smokies, Shackil was determined to land a No.1 job. “It was very important. I’m not sure if it’s all for the right reasons but some of it is for perception purposes. I honestly think it’s a big factor. I don’t think I would be able to rise to a higher level of baseball [broadcasting] without lead experience.

“I love the Smokies and loved going there every day. I had a lot of fun and I know I’ll have a lot of fun in Mobile as well.”

Shackil’s decision to accept the Mobile position was not easy. He had another opportunity in minor league baseball, and a good sportscasting job with SiriusXM in New York City. To help make the decision, Shackil the advice of colleagues. “I had to ask myself ‘does taking a pretty big pay cut and leaving New York City feel right,’ and it does feel right,” he says. “I’m a person who goes a lot on what they’re feeling. That is why I reached out to [others]. I wanted to hear more people say it was okay.”

STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik is among those from whom Shackil sought council. “By itself, the career planning and consulting is really worth being a part of something special like [STAA],” Shackil says. “Jon Chelesnik is there, and especially for younger people, is like a guidance counselor, which is especially nice. Jon has really helped clear my head many times. Based on where I’m from (New York) it’s tough to leave here and tough to convince yourself you have to get out of here. To just be reassured by certain people, including Jon, that you are making the right decision is something many people can benefit from by being part of STAA.

“I want to prove to myself more than anybody that I can succeed in a lead job.”

(Visit Justin’s STAA Talent Page).

(February 21, 2012) Alex Margulies took a risk many people aren’t willing to take. In an effort to advance his career, he left his job without having another lined up. The risk has paid off. An STAA client, Margulies has been hired as lead play-by-broadcaster and account executive by the Modesto Nuts.

The Nuts are the advanced Class-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Margulies joins the team after spending the past two seasons broadcasting for the Fort Myers Miracle.

“I grew up on the West Coast in Lake Tahoe until I was 12,” Margulies says. “The majority of my family is on the West Coast so it’s an area I’ve been trying to get back to. I decided after getting a couple years of experience in Fort Myers – I can’t say enough about the ownership group, which has been phenomenal – but it was time to make the move out west.

“I felt confident enough to move out there and know that things would work out. I was especially interested in the San Francisco area because of family ties and because I enjoy the area.”

Modesto is just 90 minutes from San Francisco. In addition, Margulies’ girlfriend recently accepted a job on the West Coast.

Margulies learned of the Nuts vacancy in an email from STAA. “Their GM eventually got back to me and said they were interested in talking to me.”

Getting an early lead on job openings is one aspect of STAA’s services that Margulies values most.

“Having the job leads emailed directly is great. To be among the first people to get a look at certain jobs is certainly advantageous. Also, when I’ve sought [STAA CEO] Jon Chelesnik’s advice, it’s been nice to have someone to reach out to. That has been very helpful as well.”

In Fort Myers, Margulies is being replaced by last year’s No.2, Brice Zimmerman.

As for the risk he took leaving Fort Myers, Margulies grins, “It certainly worked out as well as could be expected.”

(Visit Alex’s STAA Talent Page.)

The Joliet Slammers have announced that Aaron Morse will serve as their radio play-by-play announcer in 2012.

An STAA client since 2009, Morse was the team’s Media Relations Coordinator in 2011 and contributed to all the radio broadcasts as well. His new title is Manager of Broadcasting and Media Relations.

“I’m excited for this opportunity,” Morse said. “I will bring a high level of energy and accuracy to every broadcast. Baseball is what I eat, sleep and breathe. My knowledge of the game both past and present should go a long way towards making every broadcast, no matter the score, entertaining. This is going to be a fun season at Silver Cross Field and on the road in the Frontier League.”

“Aaron is a very talented young man as evidenced by his selection as a Northwestern University Senior to Watch after his graduation,” Slammers President Bill Waliewski said. “I think our fans will enjoy his passion and enthusiasm for the game of baseball.”

Morse will broadcast all 96 regular season games on AM 1340 WJOL and www.wjol.com. The team’s radio broadcasts in 2012 are presented by Illinois Climate Controls.

Morse served as a broadcaster in the Southern League for the Huntsville Stars Radio Network in 2010 and spent two seasons broadcasting in the Alaska Baseball League as well. He is a proud graduate of Northwestern University where he majored in broadcast journalism. Morse spent countless hours broadcasting Northwestern sports during his time in Evanston. He is originally from Seattle, WA and is a long-suffering Mariners fan.

(Visit Aaron’s STAA Talent Page).

(February 14, 2012) Einstein famously defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Aaron Vargas took it to heart. When Vargas was having no luck in the job market, he changed things up in his application approach and the results were immediate. An STAA client, Vargas has been hired as a broadcasting and media relations assistant with the Montgomery Biscuits.

The Biscuits are the Tampa Bay Rays AA affiliate.

“I was flying pretty high when they called me,” Vargas says. “It’s an awesome opportunity for several reasons. My foot is finally in the door [in minor league baseball], it is at the Double-A level, and working with Joe Davis – he is a talented guy and knows a lot of people in the business. I don’t think I could have written a better script for my first job in baseball.”

Vargas graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2011 from Carson-Newman College in Tennessee, where he was a captain on the baseball team. In addition to broadcasting on the campus radio station, his baseball play-by-play experience includes the past two summers in the Florida Collegiate Summer League.

Vargas joined STAA in March 2011. For the first nine months of his membership, he applied for many jobs but never received anything more than a form letter in response. That prompted him to call STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik. Together, they reviewed how Vargas was going about the application process and where his presentation could be stronger. Within 10 days of that conversation, Vargas applied for and was invited to interview for two different positions, including Montgomery.

“I felt like I was kind of stuck in a rut,” Vargas says about the job market. “I didn’t know what I could do because I didn’t know what I was doing wrong. That’s when I contacted Jon Chelesnik and learned there were several changes I could make in the application process.”

Among the changes Vargas made were to his resume, demo and follow-up strategy.

“I made my resume much more concise. I had many things on there that employers wouldn’t care about or need to know. I also changed the order of where I placed things on my resume. On my demo, one of my audio samples took almost a minute to get into my play-by-play. With all the samples employers have to listen to they aren’t going to listen that long to get to the play-by-play. I also changed my follow ups and started calling one week after [applying].”

“I really do appreciate all of [STAA’s] help. It was definitely essential in getting my foot in the door in the business. I appreciate everything they have done for me.”

(Visit Aaron’s STAA Talent Page.)

(February 9, 2012) Job openings can be a great excuse to hit the highway for an old-fashioned road trip – that’s what Derek Diesner decided when he found out about a position with Rocking M Radio in Great Bend, KS.

An STAA client since November 2011, Diesner has been hired at KZRS-FM, KSOB-FM KNNS-AM and KRMR-FM in Great Bend.

Diesner will handle a variety of sports broadcasting duties including play-by-play for Barton County Community College baseball and volleyball. He will likely also have opportunity to broadcast BCCC softball and host a daily sports talk show. Plus, there will be some news and sales duties.

“The people are great – the people at the station and in the town, and the job offers so much variety,” Diesner says. “The great thing, too, is the station is going through a facelift, a rebuilding of sorts. Nothing is set in stone. I pretty much get to run with my own ideas.”

Diesner emailed his cover letter and Talent Page link to Brett Middleton, GM of Rocking M Radio after receiving an email from about the opening from STAA. The ownership group had used STAA in the past to fill positions and once again contacted STAA when this position opened up. The lead was not publicized anywhere else.

When Diesner spoke with Middleton over the phone he volunteered to drive down to Kansas from Wisconsin. Jen Tossey, Diesner’s girlfriend, came along for the weekend trip. After the end of the weekend, Middleton gave job offers to both Diesner and Tossey.

Tossey will work in sales, promotions, and productions, along with the opportunity to host a daily on-air shift.

For his part, Diesner appreciates STAA’s assistance in landing his new job. “It’s been very helpful. Getting job leads emailed to me, especially the ones that aren’t going out to the public, has been a huge help,” Diesner says.

“And the Talent Page is huge. I can’t even put into words how much that has helped. To go to the Talent Page and have that there – I know employers like it and I love it. All the information employers are going to want is right there in front of them. It beats going to the post office and hoping the package doesn’t get damaged in the mail. It is one of the reasons I joined STAA and I am definitely glad I did. I would definitely recommend it to any sportscaster.”

“I also want to thank my Mom (Eileen) for helping me join STAA in the first place,” Diesner smiles. “Without her, none of this would of happened.”

(Visit Derek’s STAA Talent Page. Derek has also had his demo & resume constructed by STAA).

The Kane County Cougars have announced that STAA client Wayne Randazzo has accepted the position of Cougars broadcaster. Randazzo, who begins with the Cougars in early March, will be behind the microphone beginning on April 5 as the 2012 season of Cougars baseball commences.

Randazzo is a graduate of St. Charles East High School and North Central College, and spent the past four seasons in Mobile with the BayBears, Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Randazzo’s broadcasting background also includes his current work with Chicago’s Sports Radio 670 The Score, as well as the Big Ten Network.

“We’re excited about welcoming Wayne to the Cougars family,” said Cougars General Manager Curtis Haug. “He brings a wealth of minor league broadcasting experience from his time in the Southern League, and we’re confident that his strong on-air presence will be embraced by Cougars fans.”

Randazzo replaces the vacancy left by Jeff Hem, who accepted a broadcasting position with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, a Milwaukee Brewers affiliate, this past December.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Kane County Cougars organization,” said Randazzo. “Having grown up in the area, I know how much the Cougars mean to the community, and I’m so thrilled to be a part of that. I hope all of our great listeners enjoy what they hear this season.”

Randazzo becomes the eighth broadcaster in franchise history and joins a list of former Cougars broadcasters that includes current big league announcers Dave Wills (Tampa Bay Rays) and Scott Franzke (Philadelphia Phillies).

Read more at TribLocal.com where this story was originally published.

(Visit Wayne’s STAA Talent Page. Wayne has also had his demo & resume constructed by STAA).

(February 6, 2011) After two years in the sunshine state, Joel Godett is migrating back north to South Carolina to join the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. An STAA client, Godett is the new Media Relations Manager and Play-by-play Broadcaster for the Pelicans.

The Pelicans are the Class-A Advanced affiliate Carolina League affiliate of the Texas Rangers.

When it came time to find a new lead broadcaster, the Pelicans sent the job lead to STAA and requested that it be sent exclusively to STAA clients. Godett credits STAA not just for the sending him the lead, but also for helping evaluate his options.

“The biggest thing is [STAA] is a great place for getting job leads and information. I most likely wouldn’t have known about Myrtle Beach if it weren’t for STAA.

“The second thing would be the conversations I’ve had with [STAA CEO] Jon Chelesnik in terms of the sounding board he provides. I trust his insight and his knowledge. He is a good person to use to try to sort things about and put yourself in the best position to get into those spots.”

Technically, this is Godett’s second opportunity with Myrtle Beach. He was offered the No. 2 position in the summer of 2009 but declined in order to accept a position with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

“Myrtle Beach has always been attractive to me,” Godett says. “When I first got into pro baseball I was in Winston-Salem. Myrtle Beach was always one of my favorite road trips because the fans come out in droves to support the team and it is an unbelievable atmosphere. You also get the feeling everybody enjoys working there. You walk in the door and think ‘this place is awesome.’”

After a season with Buffalo, Godett moved south to call play-by-play for the University of South Florida. Most recently, he was the lead broadcaster for the Bradenton Marauders, Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Godett spent those years wisely, working hard to develop his skills to become capable of handling lead voice duties.

“The biggest thing just comes down to self-improvement. Work on yourself every day and work on your skills every day. If you go to the ballpark every day and put your best foot forward on every broadcast and you ask others to critique you and you critique yourself, you are going to end up someplace you want to be in the long run.”

(Visit Joel’s STAA Talent Page).

(February 2, 2012) Nathan Barnett’s goal for the coming summer has been to find a job that will allow him to broadcast as many innings of baseball as possible. Mission accomplished. An STAA client, Barnett will handle broadcasting and media relations for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters of the Northwoods League.

“I wanted to get a No.1 job somewhere in the longest possible season I could find,” Barnett says. “This gives me an opportunity to do 70 games, home and away, in a respected college summer league and I am the only broadcaster.

“It’s an additional bonus that the games are broadcast on local radio and not just the Internet.”

A native of Dallas, TX, Barnett graduated from Pomona College in Claremont, CA in 2011 then spent the summer broadcasting for the Palm Springs Power of the Southern California Collegiate Baseball League. With the Rafters, he is looking forward to living in the Midwest for the first time.

“Being from Texas is kind of a different animal,” Barnett says. “Being able to live in a part of the country I have never been is something I am looking forward to doing. The other thing would be that, between the broadcasting I did in college, the broadcasting I have done in Palm Springs and the freelance work I have done, I have never traveled with a team. The opportunity to do that is something else I am looking forward to.”

Barnett found out about Wisconsin Rapids job through fellow STAA client JW Cox, the voice of the Rapids Rafters the past two seasons. Barnett and Cox met at baseball’s recent Winter Meetings in Dallas.

“Without JW, I probably would never have known about this,” Barnett says.

An STAA client since November 2010, Barnett credits STAA with providing his career with a goal and a plan for how to get there. He believes his Talent Page gave him instant credibility. However, he says it’s STAA’s career planning and consulting that has been most valuable.

“Without a doubt, my relationship with [STAA CEO] Jon Chelesnik has been the biggest part for me. Like [another STAA client] said recently, Jon makes me feel like I’m his most important client, event though I know he has hundreds of others. When we are talking about a position, I know I’m not always going to hear what I want to hear, but what is best for me because Jon cares about me as a person as well.”

(Visit Nathan’s STAA Talent Page. Nathan has also had his demo & resume constructed by STAA).

(February 1, 2012) The Bradenton Marauders are replacing one STAA client with another. Nate March, an STAA client since November 2010, is the new Coordinator of Communications and Broadcasting for the Marauders. He replaces fellow STAA client Joel Godett who resigned to pursue other opportunities.

The Marauders are the Class-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“I’ve always wanted to broadcast in pro baseball and last year it was real tough to break in with a late graduation date [from Ithaca College],” March says. “Really, this turned out to be a perfect opportunity.

“I feel very fortunate for someone whose top prior experience was a summer collegiate job to land a No. 1 job at the full-season affiliated level.”

March spent the past two summers broadcasting in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, first for the Amsterdam Mohawks, then last summer for the Watertown Wizards. Most recently, he has been broadcasting news and sports for Central New York Radio Group.

“I really relish the change of scenery after growing up my entire life in the Syracuse area, going to school in Ithaca, then working in Oneonta (NY), I’m looking forward to living in another part of the country and getting to see another part of the United States.”

(Visit Nathan’s STAA Talent Page.)

Tim LeCras is getting his first swing at minor league baseball. An STAA client since December 2011, LeCras is joining the broadcast team of the Evansville Otters.

LeCras will be announcing a few innings for each of the home games while assisting with game notes, press releases, social media, and the production of each broadcast.

A graduating senior at Seton Hall University, LeCras has excelled throughout his college career working in a number of different platforms. He is a play by play announcer and an Assistant Sports Director at WSOU, one of the nation’s top college radio stations. He also is the Assistant Managing Editor for The Setonian, the student newspaper.

“Tim comes to us with significant collegiate broadcast experience,” said Otters president Bill Bussing. “He should complement play by play announcer Mike Radomski and color commentator Bill McKeon well.”

“Tim’s resume was very impressive,” Radomski said. “His character, work ethic, knowledge of the game and passion for the sport will be an added bonus to our organization this year.”

“I’m honored and extremely excited to be joining the Evansville Otters organization,” Tim said. “Baseball and broadcasting have been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember, now to bring the two together with the Otters is a dream come true.”

LeCras will be leaving his native New Jersey in a few months to begin his first summer with a professional baseball team, a move he is thankful to make. He said, “I look forward to the opportunity that the Evansville Otters have given me, and can’t wait to be a part of one of the Frontier League’s greatest baseball communities.”

(Visit Tim’s STAA Talent Page).

(January 26, 2012) What kind of dream job offer would it take for you to postpone your honeymoon? For STAA client Kevin McAlpin, it was an opportunity to hit the baseball highway with the Atlanta Braves.

McAlpin has been hired by Dickey Broadcasting as a reporter on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network.

When McAlpin first saw the opening on the STAA job forum, he was not even certain it was worth the time to submit an application.

“I wasn’t even going to apply. I figured they would have a thousand people and I would have no shot,“ says McAlpin. Two phone interviews later, the radio station was flying McAlpin to Atlanta for an in-person interview. “I left the interview feeling pretty good.”

However, there was a small potential problem – McAlpin and his fiancé Melissa had already planned their wedding and honeymoon for May. Luckily, Melissa understood the significance of this opportunity. Melissa suggested the couple keep their May 12th date, but postpone the honeymoon until November.

“My first reaction was ‘absolutely not,’” McAlpin says. Upon further review, Melissa’s wisdom prevailed. “I sort of passed it off to [Dickey Broadcasting] that is was my idea.” McAlpin grins.

“I told [Dickey Broadcasting] it will definitely be after the [Braves championship] parade happens,” McAlpin smiles. “I think my willingness to reschedule showed them I really want this.”

McAlpin spent the past four years honing his skills as a sports update anchor and a Phillies beat reporter at 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia. Those skills, plus a passion for baseball, are what sold Dickey Broadcasting on hiring McAlpin.

“I grew up playing for eight or nine years. Once I got to college I figured it was time to start looking at slow pitch softball. Baseball has always been my number one love. Covering the Phillies home games the past two years has got me to the point where I’m ready to take the next step and travel with a team full time on the road. I’m jacked, I’m so excited.”

As an STAA client since 2010, McAlpin has had the chance to capitalize on more than just the job forum.

“Having the ability to find out about some jobs that are out there before the general public finds out gives you a chance to beat everyone else,” McAlpin says. “The monthly eBlast has been great — the pointers and tips are awesome. I also usually follow along on the live chats, and the seminars you can download have been great. I utilize a lot of the services.”

(Visit Kevin’s STAA Talent Page).

(January 20, 2012) How do you go about deciding between three different job offers? STAA client Jared Sandler has the answer – seek good counsel and be thoroughly informed. Armed with the advice of his mentors, Sandler has accepted a Program Director and Broadcasting position with ESPN 100.9 in Midland, MI and minor league baseball’s Great Lakes Loons.

In addition to the PD chores at the station, Sandler will host a daily sports talk show, broadcast football and basketball play-by-play, and serve as the Loons No. 2 broadcaster while assisting with media relations.

The Loons are the Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The unique opportunity to work for both a baseball team and a radio station was one of three offers that Sandler was considering. Sandler made sure not to rush the decision.

“I talked to my mentors in the industry, including [STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik], my father and my brothers. They made sure I was asking myself the right questions,” Sandler says.

“It was also a lot of time on the phone spent with each person that was offering each opportunity. I wanted to be sure I had all the information I could get to make the right decision. It was probably the most difficult decision I have had to make in my life.”

The tipping factor in favor of ESPN and the Loons was the variety in experience the position offered.

“On top of the six months of baseball, it’s the six months outside of baseball that really sold me – the unique opportunity to host a radio show and to broadcast basketball and football without having to worry about trying to find those opportunities during the summer. At the same time, getting to serve as the program director and getting to learn the industry from the administrative side is really intriguing.”

Sandler spent last summer calling play-by-play in the Pioneer League with the Great Falls Voyagers, after graduating from USC in May. College experience as the Sports Director at KXSC, plus part-time work at ESPN 710 in Los Angeles and a summer with the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers gives Sandler an excellent background to draw on for his new job.

With all the travel between summer jobs and college, Sandler, a Dallas native, is looking forward to settling in to a single location.

“This is the first time I’m moving somewhere [permanently] as opposed to being a rent-a-person. I am now making a commitment to move to a different city. I’m excited to start a life there and be involved in the community.”

Sandler appreciates convenience and credibility of his STAA Talent Page, but feels there is an even higher value in his relationship with STAA’s CEO.

“Candidly, the most beneficial part of [STAA] is the relationship I’ve developed with Jon Chelesnik and the mentorship and guidance he has provided. I always feel he is fair and I always feel I am the most important client he has even though I know he considers us all equal. His advice is never that you have to make a decision one way or the other. Instead, he gives his opinions, which I respect highly. That’s been the biggest benefit of all.”

(Visit Jared’s STAA Talent Page).

The five-time Atlantic League champion Somerset Patriots have announced the hiring of new radio broadcaster Justin Antweil.

An STAA client, Antweil is a recent graduate of the University of Miami, where he was the play-by-play broadcaster for Miami Hurricane baseball, football, basketball, and volleyball. He was a 2010 STAA Honorable Mention All-American as one of the nation’s top collegiate sports broadcasters.

At his time at Miami, Antweil was also the sports director at WVUM Radio, a reporter for News Vision and Sports Desk on UMTV, and Sports Editor for The Miami Hurricane.

“I am very excited to join the Somerset Patriots organization. The Patriots have a successful track record both on the field and in the community, so it is a genuine privilege and honor for me to become part of the Patriots family. As the radio voice of Patriots baseball, I pledge to deliver an informative, clear, and always energetic broadcast, and I look forward to sharing the drama of every pitch with the tremendous Patriots fan base. Cannot wait for Opening Day,” said Antweil.

“STAA definitely helped,” Antweil says. “I used [STAA CEO] Jon Chelesnik’s advice having my advisor from the University of Miami and baseball coach Jim Morris makes calls on my behalf]. Those two references helped. All of [STAA’s] advice helped out a lot.”

Antweil was a camper in the Bruce Beck & Ian Eagle Broadcasting Camp in 2007 and was selected as a standout to call a half inning of play-by-play with then Somerset Patriots Radio Broadcaster Brian Bender during the camp’s trip to TD Bank Ballpark.

Antweil will call 140 games on WCTC 1450 AM, the Flagship Station for Somerset Patriots Baseball.

“Justin first impressed us with the way he calls a game, but really stood out during the interview process. You can see the excitement and passion he has for broadcasting the game and how much he wanted to be the voice of our team. We are looking forward to Justin being part of our team,” said Patrick McVerry, President/General Manager of the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club.

He is taking over the Patriots Radio Broadcaster position held by Adam Amin the past two seasons. Amin was hired by ESPN at the end of the 2011 season and has been broadcasting college events for the network, including football, basketball, and volleyball. Amin was a 2009 STAA All-American.

(Visit Justin’s STAA Talent Page.)

(January 11, 2012) When searching for his next gig, Adam Seidel didn’t wait for the perfect opening to be listed somewhere online – he went out and dug up the position that wasn’t quite open yet.

An STAA client, Seidel has been named Director of Media Relations and Play-by-Play for the Great Falls Voyagers. The Voyagers are the short-season Class-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. He replaces fellow STAA client Jared Sandler, who left to pursue other opportunities.

Seidel beat the rush of applicants by taking early initiative in contacting the Voyagers before the position opened. While attending baseball’s Winter Meetings Seidel heard there might be end up being an opening. A follow up phone call confirmed it. A week later the Voyagers called for an interview.

“I kind of got there first because I contacted them before the position actually opened up,” Seidel says.

Before heading off to Winter Meetings, Seidel spent some time with STAA to strategize how to make the best of use of his time.

“[STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik] and I had several in-depth conversations prior to the Winter Meetings. As a result, I went to the meetings knowing how to talk to employers and what they were looking for. Having a strategy, I think, is why I uncovered some of the [job leads] at the meetings that I did, including Great Falls.”

In addition to broadcasting and media relations, Seidel will have some social media and sales duties, both of which play to his strengths. A 2011 graduate of Northwestern University, Seidel spent the last two years as a broadcaster and salesman for the Minnesota Sports Broadcast Network. Seidel was also the media director and lead broadcaster for the Wisconsin Woodchucks.

“The Pioneer League is a really, really great league and it’s a chance to get into affiliated ball and to lead the broadcast, which is really exciting. This will be an opportunity to design my own programming as much as possible and to get all the innings I can and to get a chance to improve.”

Seidel says the best thing a job-seeking sportscaster can do is getting out and networking. “Talk to everyone you know. You’ve got to maintain those contacts and if you hear anything about a potential job opening, call the employer and get there first. You can’t be passive.”

“I really got this job by getting on the phone and being proactive with people. If you can get in there before everyone else, it does two things – it saves you from having to be in the big fight with 150 other people before you even get the interview, and it gives you a chance to get on the phone with the employer before they are inundated with calls from other applicants.”

(Visit Adam’s STAA Talent Page).

(January 6, 2012) Being among the first applicants for a job opening is proven to be advantageous for job hunters. However, as Robert Lovell has discovered, the early applicant is not always the one to catch the job. Lovell, an STAA client since September, is the new Sports Director at KRDZ 1440 AM in Wray, CO.

Lovell will deliver sportscasts during Morning Drive, broadcast every game for all Wray High School boys and girls varsity sports, and work on sales.

Lovell spotted the opening on the STAA job board and was immediately interested. A 2011 graduate of Dixie State College of Utah, Lovell was enticed by the well-rounded responsibilities the KRDZ position offered.

“It’s a good opportunity to get a lot of experience in a lot of different areas of sportscasting,” Lovell says.

Having a freshly built Talent Page, Lovell sent the link to KRDZ station owner Wayne Johnson. Two days later, Johnson contacted Lovell for an interview.

“My Talent Page was incredibly helpful. It was so much easier than having to mail [my demo and resume] or send multiple emails with audio attachments because one email usually isn’t enough to deliver all the clips.”

Lovell didn’t know at the time that he was a very late applicant for the opening – so late that Johnson had already interviewed several applicants and narrowed the list down to two. And then along came Lovell with his resume of college and high school play-by-play experience.

“One of the things my initial Talent Page didn’t have was any play-by-play audio,” Lovell says, “[Wayne Johnson] said ‘I like what I hear so far but I need to hear some play-by-play.’ As soon as I could, I got that to him and put it on my Talent Page as well and sent that to him. My ability to do play-by-play helped.”

Lovell’s personal life also helped convince station management that he could make a successful move to a small town on the Colorado plains.

“They liked the fact that I’m not single – that I am married coming to a small town and don’t need the night life,” Lovell smiles.

(Visit Robert’s STAA Talent Page).

(January 3, 2012) The New Year may have just begun, but FOX Sports Radio already has exciting news to share.

STAA client Andy Furman, a veteran sports radio personality, will host the network’s new 6 – 9 a.m. ET/3 – 6 a.m. PT program “FOX Sports Daybreak” with former NFL defensive back Artrell Hawkins, beginning January 3, 2012.

Furman has been a fixture on the network for more than a year as host of a weekend show with former NFL All-Pro Lincoln Kennedy, in addition to filling in during various timeslots and day-parts. He will continue to host his Sunday evening program with Kennedy, which airs from 7 – 10 p.m. ET/4 – 7 p.m. PT.

“To work at FOX Sports Radio is the chance of a lifetime – I’m proud, excited and ready to provide the listeners with the best product possible,” Furman stated. “After working in local radio for many years in Cincinnati, this is a dream come true for me.”

Don Martin, Vice President/General Manager, FOX Sports Radio Network, echoes Furman’s sentiments. “We couldn’t be happier to have Andy and Artrell hosting our new morning drive program. The combination of a sports talk pro like Andy and a former professional football player like Artrell will be a great addition to our weekday lineup,” said Martin.

Furman, a native of Brooklyn, New York, has been a strong voice in the world of sports talk radio for more than 20 years, with much of that time spent in Cincinnati. He hosted “Sports Talk” on WLW-AM for 18 years, and was named the “number one sports talker” in Ohio by Ohio Magazine. Most recently, Furman hosted an afternoon drive show on “Real Talk 1160” WQRT-AM in Cincinnati.

Hawkins also spent much of his career in Cincinnati, where he played college football at the University of Cincinnati and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. While in the NFL, he played cornerback and safety for the Bengals, Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots. Hawkins retired from the NFL in 2008 and, in addition to his new FOX Sports Radio duties, is a contributor for the Bengals Radio Network.

(Visit Andy’s STAA Talent Page. Andy has also had his demo & resume constructed by STAA).

(January 2, 2012) The Florence Freedom will have a new voice for the 2012 season.

Local fans tuning in to hear on-air broadcasts of the Freedom’s games on Real Talk 1160 WQRT will hear play-by-play commentary from STAA client and Cincinnati native Steve Jarnicki.

For many, the voice will be familiar. Jarnicki has performed the play-by-play broadcasts for Simon Kenton basketball and football, and called baseball games for Northern Kentucky University.

The local sports fan, who grew up listening to Cincinnati Reds’ games on the radio, said he’s looking forward to connecting local baseball fans during the upcoming season.

“I’ll be there from the start to the finish,” Jarnicki said of the Freedom’s upcoming season, which begins May 17. “I’m super excited to be the new voice of the Freedom.

“It’s a great opportunity for me…and a great opportunity to connect fans with the team.”

Jarnicki, 27, of Hyde Park, has come a long way since announcing imaginary baseball games from his bedroom from the age of 3, and pausing his Nintendo games as a teen to call his own plays.

He began his career announcing games as a college student at Bowling Green State University. He did play-by-play broadcasts on the university’s student radio station for BGSU football and baseball games, and men’s and women’s basketball games.

In 2005, he was a play-by-play radio broadcaster for the Sioux City Explorers, an independent minor league baseball team in Sioux City, Iowa. He later joined the Buckeye Cable Sports Network in Toledo, where he provided play-by-play on television for featured high school and college baseball, basketball, football, softball, tennis and volleyball telecasts. He went on to create his own local sports talk radio show, “First Serves,” in Toledo.

He returned to Cincinnati in 2010, started his own production company, Steve Jarnicki Productions, and teamed up with Real Talk 1160.

His ultimate goal is to announce for Major League Baseball.

“Every game has its own story,” Jarnicki said. “I love being able to tell each of those stories to listeners.”

Read more at the Cincinnati Enquirer where this story was originally published.

(Visit Steve’s STAA Talent Page).