STAA helping Otters fill radio position

Courtesy Erie Times-News

(August 18, 2009) The Erie Otters expect to have a new radio play-by-play announcer and media relations director in place by Sept. 1.

Shawn Waskiewicz, the team’s assistant general manager/administration, said Monday he had received 130 resumes since the position was posted Wednesday with California-based Sportscasters Talent Agency of America.

Mark Jeanneret resigned Wednesday to accept a position with the Portland Pirates, the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. He had spent most of the past 12 years as the voice of the Otters and as a liaison to the news media.

Waskiewicz said he is into his second round of interviews after speaking with candidates by phone Saturday and Sunday.

“It’s very important for us to make sure this person will get along with 16- to 20-year-old kids,” he said. “Sometimes I think that’s what people forget about, is these guys are kids and you have to deal with them a little differently than a 30-year-old guy playing in the American League.”

Waskiewicz said he will still accept applications through the STAA Web site as well as from candidates who have hockey play-by-play broadcasting experience.