This will be Pauley’s third address of 2007. He opened the year doing high school basketball in his hometown of St. Louis. He then spent the summer in Albany, GA as Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations for minor league baseball’s South Georgia Peanuts.
“I’m excited to do some big-time junior college basketball,” Pauley says. “The team has won three national championships in the recent past. Just the opportunity to do basketball at this level is pretty exciting for me. Plus it is only three from St. Louis, which is nice. I’ll be close to my home.”
In Burlington Pauley will be employed by Pritchard Broadcasting. The company owns a cluster of four stations. Southeastern’s games air on Big Country 103.1 KDMG. Pauley will also help at the station in other capacities.
Pauley was chosen from approximately 60 applicants.
“I found the job opening at STAA website,” Pauley says. “It actually took me a couple days to decide to pursue it. I sent email along with my resume and mp3 clip of basketball. My email also included the link to my (STAA) Talent Page.”
Landing the job represents somewhat of a milestone for Pauley. Every other broadcasting job he has gained has been the result of knowing somebody or learning of unadvertised openings.
“This is the first time I’ve got a job after applying to a job posting,” Pauley says.
The job is a seasonal one. Pauley hopes to return to minor league baseball in spring.
The Blackhawks open their season the first weekend of November.
Walsh joins Clear Channel Dickinson
(October 9, 2007) As a lifelong Midwesterner, Sean Walsh should be more than comfortable in his new job. Walsh has been hired as Operations Manager/Sports Director at Clear Channel Radio in Dickinson, ND.
An STAA client, Walsh will be responsible for the overall sound of three stations — one rock, one hot country, and one classic country. He will also handle daily sports reports and play-by-play. Walsh is embracing the challenge.
“I like that I am going to be major part of three radio stations and have a major role in the sports department,” Walsh says. “I also look forward to getting back into play-by-play.”
In addition, Walsh is looking forward to working with his new boss.
“(Station GM) Steve Stroud is one of the reasons I am taking the job,” Walsh says. “He and I see eye to eye on so many different things.”
When asked to describe how he got the job, Walsh replied, “I used STAA. I sent my cover letter and my Talent Page. Probably five days later I got call from General Manager Steve Stroud. It happened to be on a Sunday. We spoke for two hours about ideas we had for the station. The offer came from that conversation.”
Walsh never did send a hard copy of his demo and resume. “It was all from my STAA Talent Page,” he says. “STAA is such a great network. So many people can see your information so quickly that it really shortens the job hunt process. It is helpful too, the way the Talent Page is set up. This is the day of email. The Talent Page saves money on postage and you can get it to a potential employer within a few seconds. It is a great thing.”
The job in Dickson took awhile to materialize. Walsh was offered the job on August 23 but couldn’t commit to it at the time. The offer remained on the table. Six weeks later, he accepted.
Walsh moves to Dickinson from Denver, CO. He spent the past three years in the Mile High City, first at the former ESPN Radio Denver and most recently at The Fan. He has experience as a sports talk host, anchor, reporter and producer.
Walsh starts his new job November 5th.
Anastos lands UMES job on second try
(September 21, 2007) Nick Anastos is looking forward to traveling again. Anastos, who is represented by Sportscasters Talent Agency of America, is the new basketball play-by-play voice for Division I University of Maryland-Eastern Shore.
Members of the MEAC, the Hawks non-conference schedule includes games at the Iowa, Nebraska and West Virginia, in addition to the South Padre Island Invitation in Corpus Christi, Texas.
“(In college) at Hofstra I had a chance to get up and down the East Coast,” Anastos says. “Now I’ll have a chance to go as far away as Iowa, Florida and Texas.
For the past year, Anastos has been the football and basketball voice of Bentley College, a Division II school in Waltham, MA. Although he has already relocated to Maryland, Anastos will continue to broadcast Bentley football through the end of this season.
Anastos is also part of the radio play-by-play team for minor league baseball’s Nashua Pride. It is possible he will still call Pride games during the summer.
Getting the UMES job is a study in perseverance for Anastos. He was runner-up to Ben Wagner for the Hawks job last year but he made a good impression on UMES Assistant Athletic Director Stan Bradley. When Wagner left this spring to accept a baseball job with the Triple-A Buffalo Bison, Anastos’ agent at STAA, Jon Chelesnik, immediately called Bradley to let him know Anastos was still interested in the job.
“I felt like it was the perfect match at this point in my career,” Anastos says.
In addition to calling UMES basketball, Anastos will also serve as a graduate assistant in the UMES athletic department while pursuing his Masters Degree at the school.
“The more education the better in terms of down the road, so this was a good opportunity,” Anastos says. “Just the D-I atmosphere, calling a game in an arena where this is D-I basketball adds a whole new level do the broadcast. I’m looking forward to it.”
Montesano joins Clear Channel Eau Claire
(September 17, 2007) After several years of relocating with the seasons, Scott Montesano is glad to be staying in one place. An STAA client, Montesano has been hired as Assistant Sports Director at Clear Channel’s seven station cluster in Eau Claire, WI.
“It was nice to find an opportunity that allowed me to stay in one community for an entire year instead of bouncing back and forth which is what I’ve been doing for awhile,” Montesano says.
Montesano’s new job is heavy on play-by-play. He is calling football, basketball, baseball and hockey for local high schools and two area colleges — University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and UW-Stout.
Eau Claire isn’t a new locale for Montesano. He has spent the past two summers there calling baseball games for the Eau Claire Express of the Northwoods League. The past three winters have been spent as the play-by-play voice for minor league hockey’s Fargo-Moorhead Jets.
The job market is frequently as much about who you know as what you know. Montesano says having connections is how he attained his new job.
“Working with the Northwest League, our baseball team broadcast on one of the Clear Channel stations,” Montesano says. “I knew the sports director. He had some broadcast opportunities over the summer (that I accepted). I got this job through those connections.”
Montesano had other options but Eau Claire is where he wants to be.
“I turned down some hockey opportunities but none of them were better than the opportunity I have here.”
Golder joins Detroit Lions Radio Network
(September 13, 2007) Moving to Michigan has been a boon to Brad Golder’s career. In January, Golder accepted as job as the radio voice for minor league baseball’s Great Lakes Loons. Now Golder, an STAA client, has added another job to his Michigan resume: Scoreboard anchor and halftime host on the Detroit Lions Radio Network.
In his new role, Golder will have a presence in the pregame, postgame and in-game portions of each Lions broadcast. He’ll be employed by the Lions flagship, WKRK in Southfield, MI.
“I’m extremely excited about the position,” Golder says. “I feel it’s another great step in my career.”
Golder will remain with the Loons as the play-by-play broadcaster and Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations. He moved to Michigan from Atlanta where he has spent two years as the fill-in Post-Game Host and Executive Producer for the Atlanta Braves Radio Network.
Greenwald to broadcast Iona football
(September 11, 2007) David Greenwald has found a great off-season job. The voice of minor league baseball’s Charlotte County Redfish, Greenwald has accepted a job as Assistant Sports Information Director at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY.
Greenwald, an STAA client, is handling play-by-play for Gaels football and women’s basketball. He is also responsible for updating the Iona sports website and writing recaps for golf, softball, women’s soccer, swimming and diving, and water polo,
“The rest of my job the job is anything the SID needs me to do around the office or at various sporting events including some PA announcing and scorekeeping,” Greenwald says.
The new gig will allow Greenwald to continue to call minor league baseball. He learned a lot in his first season of minor league baseball.
“I logged some great innings as well as got involved with entry level sales and side projects, including being the designer and point person for our team’s baseball cards, updating the roster and website, writing game wrap-ups and other press releases, and maintaining contacts with the local media,” Greenwald says.
Greenwald feels fortunate to have landed two great jobs in the past six months.
“Hopefully the good news and jobs will keep on rolling,” he says.
Beal joins CBA’s Pittsburgh Xplosion
(September 8, 2007) Barry Beal has turned an internship into a full-time job. An STAA client, Beal has been named Director of Public Relations for the Continental Basketball Association’s Pittsburgh Xplosion.
Beal interned for the team from December through March.
As part of his new position, Beal likely will be handling play-by-play for the video webcast that the Xplosion started last season. Beal might also co-host a weekly CBA weekly video webcast talk show that includes news, analysis and player interviews.
A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Beal has play-by-play experience with PIT Panthers football, basketball and baseball. He has also done free-lance radio play-by-play for the CBA’s Yakima Sun Kings and Indiana Alley Cats.
Beal has been with STAA since spring of 2007. He has an STAA Talent Page and also had his demo and resume constructed by STAA.
“The guy I sent my resume to (at the Xplosion) said that I had the most professional-looking resume he’s seen,” Beal says.
10 STAA clients accept sportscasting jobs in August
(September 5, 2007) August was an outstanding month for STAA as ten clients accepted sportscasting positions. The jobs ranged from a pair of Division I college play-by-play opportunities to smaller market positions throughout the country.
It was second most productive month of 2007. In March, 12 STAA clients accepted jobs.
One sportscaster who has benefited from services is Casey Ford. Ford took over in August as the News and Sports Director at ESPN 970 and Q-107 WMQT in Marquette, MI. It was the third job Ford has landed since joining STAA.
“Pretty much everything that is on the STAA website (the job posting and the Talent Page) is how I got the job,” Ford says. “If it weren’t for the website, (WMQT GM) Tom Mogush probably never would have heard of me.”
As productive as August was, STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik expects more of the same in the coming months.
“We have clients who are currently finalists for jobs in the NBA, NHL and Division I college basketball,” Chelesnik says. “Decisions on all three are expected this month.”
Chelesnik anticipates STAA clients will fill more than one dozen minor league baseball play-by-play jobs this coming off-season.
“Last off-season, 12 STAA clients accepted minor league baseball jobs. Now that more teams are familiar with STAA and more minor league baseball broadcasters are working with us, we expect even better results this off-season, Chelesnik says.”
One team that used the STAA Talent Search to find a play-by-play announcer was the Missoula Osprey.
“We had a last minute opening for our play-by-play position,” says Osprey GM Matt Ellis. “STAA provided us a short list of quality candidates very quickly. We had resumes and demo tapes online in minutes. We found the new play-by-play voice of the Osprey in very short time without many of the headaches associated with a National search. I would recommend STAA as a source for anyone looking for a sportscaster.”
Scroll down to read more about August success stories.
Jones new Guilford Director of Sports Marketing
(August 31, 2007) Loyalty and hard work has brought STAA client Bryan Jones a new position at Guilford College. The Division III school is bringing Jones on board as their new Coordinator of Sports Marketing.
Jones has been working at Guilford since 2004, helping launch the college’s basketball and lacrosse webcasts, as well as doing play-by-play for the college’s basketball and lacrosse programs. The new position offers a variety of opportunities, something Jones is excited about.
“From an on-air standpoint, I have a wide range of options. We do football, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s lacrosse. We’re looking into adding volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, and baseball.
In expanded football broadcasts, Jones will serve as the network host and add baseball to his list of play-by-play duties, which already include basketball and lacrosse. The marketing side of the job will give Jones a chance to explore new territory in sales.
“Guilford hasn’t really had any marketing especially since it went Division III, so this is a new venture,” Jones says. “I will be selling ads for programs, banners, and radio (still internet only) while calling games and being in charge of game day ops (music, public address, tickets, etc.).”
In the job market, Jones learned it is especially helpful to be able to wear multiple hats. “You have to take extra responsibilities in this business to get an on-air job and be successful,” Jones said. “All the jobs I applied to were either looking for sales, board ops, or public relations. You have to know it all to be in it full-time.
In addition to his Talent Page, STAA built Jones demo and resume.
“When I needed to get a resume off, I could send it with a cover letter and its off in the mail or I could email my (demo and) cover letter to an employer,” Jones said. “The process was easy.”
Recent grad Bales gets first job
(August 28, 1007) – A wide variety of experience has helped David Bales get his first post-college job. Bales, an STAA client, will be moving to Rogers, Arkansas to join KURM as a news reporter and sportscaster.
Bales pursued the opening at KURM after seeing the job posting on STAA. There is a good chance the position will extend beyond news to include coach’s shows, and football, basketball and baseball play-by-play.
While attending Northwest Missouri State, Bales built his resume by doing everything from answering phones, to working as a producer, reporter and announcer at several different radio stations.
KURM is Bales’ first job since graduating from NWMSU in April, and he is anxious to get started. “I am excited about the opportunity to be in the business and being a part of coaches shows and doing play-by-play for football.”
Bales is the third STAA client to gain employment at KURM, following Joe Sanders and Jonathan Hays. Bales is also the 10th STAA client to gain employment this month.
Ford utilizes STAA to snag sports director job
(August 27, 1007) – Three short months can bring big changes. Casey Ford, an STAA client, is moving to Marquette, Michigan to take over as News and Sports Director at ESPN 970 and Q-107 WMQT.
In May, Ford joined WTKA-AM in Ann Arbor, MI as morning sports talk co-host and producer. He was also the voice for University of Michigan women’s basketball. He left two weeks ago to pursue new opportunities. Now Ford is looking forward to being Sports Director in Marquette and interacting with the local community – an experience he says he would not have if it weren’t for STAA.
Applications for the position were being screened on behalf of the station by STAA. When Ford saw the posting on the STAA job board he emailed his Talent Page link directly to station GM Tom Mogush.
After interviewing on a Friday night and much of the day Saturday, Ford was eventually offered the job, all without ever mailing a hard copy of his tape and resume.
“Pretty much everything that is on the STAA website (the job posting and the Talent Page) is how I got the job,” Ford says. “If it weren’t for the website, Tom Mogush probably never would have heard of me.”
This is the third job Ford has attained since joining the STAA Talent Search.
“I want to thank STAA for the job board and for their services,” Ford says. “If it wasn’t for STAA I wouldn’t be going to Marquette right now.”
Patience pays for Braverman
(August 22, 2007) – You never know when sending out that demo will pay off. STAA client Andrew Braverman is starting a new job this week, working in production and as a board op at 104.5 The Zone in Nashville.
The job comes two months after Braverman sent his demo to The Zone. Braverman’s advice for others on the job hunt:
“Listen to those who have gone though the job process and understand that you need to put in your dues but keep on shooting for the stars. If someone tells you to start small, take that for what its worth but don’t stop applying for the larger markets.”
Braverman has been consistently building up his network, travelling to ESPN headquarters in Connecticut and WFAN-AM in New York to meet with others in the industry. One person he met is Jimmy DeCastro, who lured Dan Patrick from ESPN to DeCastro’s Content Factory. DeCastro encouraged Braverman to keep networking.
“Be prepared to start small,” DeCastro advised Braverman. “Network. Send out as many tapes as you can. Constantly improve.”
At The Zone in Nashville, Braverman is hopeful of eventually earning some on-air opportunities.
“Nothing has been guaranteed to be on air but that is my aspiration,” Braverman says.
Having worked in TV and radio sportscasting at Ohio University, Braverman is excited to begin working his way up and hoping for some on-air opportunities.
“It’s a great place to get a start. I don’t know what’s going to happen on the on-air side. All I know is I’m paying my dues.”
Tiemann joins Sports Animal-Tulsa
(August 24, 2007) One of STAA’s first portfolio clients has accepted a job offer at the Sports Animal-Tulsa. When he begins his new position, Shawn Tiemann will serve as a play-by-play talent, show producer, and fill-in host at the three-station network.
Along with engineering and producing local talk shows, and covering Sapulpa High School football and basketball, Tiemann will co-host a University of Tulsa Preview football show on home game dates at Skelly Stadium. He’ll also co-host a College Hoops Night Preview show during the basketball season at select TU and ORU home basketball games.
Sports Animal-Tulsa recently signed a 2-year broadcast agreement to carry Oral Roberts University men’s and women’s basketball and baseball. The stations are also home to Kansas City Chiefs football and Kansas City Royals baseball. “The Sports Morning” airs weekdays on the Sports Animal from 9-11 a.m., and features host Geoff Haxton with co-hosts Bob Carpenter and John Holcomb. “The Middle of the Day Show” runs from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and is hosted by Big Al Jerkins.
Tiemann’s currently employed as the assistant news/sports director at Eagle Radio in Hays, Kansas. He relinquishes his position in Hays after two years on the job.
“This is an opportunity to advance my career in so many ways, it really was a position I couldn’t pass on,” Tiemann says. “Because of the Sports Animal’s growing presence in Tulsa, there really could be opportunities there down the road that aren’t in the position I’ve accepted. So, in that sense, it makes this move a no-brainer. I loved my time in Hays and it’s a great place to live and work, but Tulsa affords my family opportunities we wouldn’t have had by staying in Kansas at this time.”
Prior to moving to Kansas, the 29-year-old St. Louis, Missouri native worked as the news/sports director for four years at Omni Media Group in Woodward, Oklahoma.
Pair of STAA clients hired at West Liberty Radio
(August 23, 2007) After working together in college, STAA clients Paul Teeple (left) and Dan Griffin (right) are moving to West Liberty, Kentucky. Both Teeple and Griffin have been hired to work DJ airshifts and high school play-by-play for West Liberty Radio stations WLKS, WCVJ and WQXX.
Teeple and Griffin met as students at Ohio University, working on OU hockey broadcasts together.
STAA sent Talent Pages for both Griffin and Teeple, but Griffin landed his job first.
“Dan called me and said they were looking for someone else,” said Teeple, who contacted employer Kelly Howard with a follow up e-mail and additional audio.
Both Teeple and Griffin have previous high school play-by-play experience and a variety of other sportscasting experience.
In addition to sharing a workplace, Teeple and Griffin are now roommates in their new Kentucky home.
Goldberg named voice of Texas Pan-Am Broncos
(August 21, 2007) Jonah Goldberg’s sportscasting career has changed dramatically since April. Four months after relocating from New York to Texas for a minor league baseball job, Goldberg has been named basketball play-by-play voice at Texas Pan-American University.
Texas Pan-American is a Division I basketball independent. Goldberg will call all men’s games and a handful of women’s home games.
An STAA client, Goldberg is also the Director of Media Relations and Radio Broadcasting for minor league baseball’s Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings. He is hopeful of being able to maintain both jobs.
“I’m looking forward to getting to call some D-I basketball and not really having to move,” Goldberg says. “There is a chance I can still work full-time for the WhiteWings during the off-season while getting to call basketball.”
Golberg learned of the UTPA job through another STAA client, Alex Del Barrio. Del Barrio has been the voice of the Broncos the last two seasons but is stepping down to pursue other opportunities. Golberg sent his STAA Talent Page (demo and resume) to the University, interviewed and was offered the job.
Goldberg also used his STAA Talent Page in attaining the WhiteWIngs baseball job.
“I didn’t know if I was going to have time to burn a CD and put a nice label on it,” Goldberg says. “Emailing the Talent Page is so much more convenient.”
Broncos games are heard on ESPN Radio 1240, along with Real Country 102.1 and Jammin’ 104.9.
Harp joins Huntsville college football TV show
(August 18, 2007) WUMP-AM Morning Drive sports talk host Seth Harp is breaking into television. Harp, who is represented by Sportscasters Talent Agency of America (S-T-Double-A), will be part of a weekly college football show on WHNT Channel 19 in Huntsville.
The program, called The Game, will air on Saturdays immediately following CBS’ nationally televised contest. The Game will be a half-hour look at the day in SEC football.
Harp will be one of three co-hosts. Another of the hosts will be WHNT News Anchor Greg Screws. In a market where football allegiances are split between Alabama and Auburn, Harp will be counted on to provide an unbiased perspective.
Harp, who joined WUMP-AM last month, is excited about his first professional TV opportunity.
“Its a chance to branch out and another exciting opportunity to cover college football in the best conference in the country,” Harp says. “I’ve always wanted to give TV a shot.”
The Game begins Saturday, August 25. If it goes well, television is something Harp would like to continue to combine with his radio pursuits.
“I’d love it. I’d be great,” Harp says. “I could be kind of like Doug Gottlieb or Mike Greenberg.”
Saltzman joins Rice University broadcast team
(August 7, 2007) Growing up in Houston, David Saltzman dreamed of one day calling Rice University athletics on the radio. Even after leaving full-time broadcasting in 2001, Saltzman continued to harbor the dream. His dream has finally come true. An STAA client, Saltzman has been named the men’s basketball play-by-play announcer for the Rice Owls.
He’ll also serve as the play-by-play analyst for the football and baseball teams.
“I’m ecstatic and so looking forward to doing it,” Saltzman says. “Especially in a city like Houston.
After graduating from the University of Texas, Saltzman worked in Lufkin, TX and Thibodaux, LA before leaving full-time broadcasting in 2001. Since then, he has been working as a financial planner while continuing to call games for a variety of high schools on the Texas Sports Radio Network. In fact, Saltzman has worked several TSRN games with Rice University women’s basketball announcer and fellow STAA client Clifton Morris.
Saltzman is eager to get back to covering one team and learning everything he can about it.
“High school football in Texas is fantastic and if I did that the rest of my life that would be fine because there is so much passion,” Saltzman says. “To be able to be in touch with coaches and players and other professionals at such a high level in a market like Houston is even better.”
After finding our about the Rice position from a colleague, Saltzman contacted Dale Busic, the manager of Rice Sports Properties for Host Communications. “I immediately emailed Dale and sent him a link to my STAA (demo and resume) Talent Page,” Saltzman says. “I literally met him the next day. To be able to send him the Talent Page saved me a lot of time and led me to getting the process started. STAA made my job easier.”
A variety of factors can lead any broadcaster out of the industry. For anyone who truly loves the profession, though, Saltzman advises never getting entirely out of the business. “Always do it (broadcasting) in some way, shape or form and always work to improve on your broadcast,” Saltzman says. Stick with it, love what you do and if your dream is to reach a certain level then never take your eyes off it.
“I refused to give up the business entirely and kept with it. If I had given up broadcasting fully, there is no way I would have got this position. You never know what opportunities will follow your footsteps.”
Babin hired by WOHL TV
(July 26, 2007) Jeremy Babin is a study in persistence. After more than a year in the job market, the STAA client has been hired as a sports anchor/reporter at Fox affiliate WOHL in Lima, OH.
Ironically, after contacting more than 90 radio and TV employers, Babin was offered two jobs at once. The other job was a radio opportunity in Wyoming working mostly in news. Babin, though, is from the Cleveland area, so taking the job in state was a slam-dunk.
“Being back on the air and doing sports full time — it’s my home state, so its familiar territory,” Babin says. “It seems like the ideal opportunity.”
Eichstedt lands first full-time job
(July 16, 2007) Broadcasters usually have fond memories of their first full-time job. STAA client Adam Eichstedt is ready to start building those memories. Eichstedt has accepted a full-time news and sports position with 1490 WOSH in Oshkosh, WI.
“I am very excited for this opportunity to get my career started,” Eichstedt says. “I also wanted to thank you (Jon Chelesnik) and the rest of the staff at STAA for everything you have done for me. I will continue to use you guys as an extremely valuable resource.”
A 2006 graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Eichstedt has spent the last 19 months as an Assistant Sports Editor for RotoWire in Madison, WI. Among his responsibilities were hosting a weekly hockey podcast and covering breaking sports news.
Since 2004, Eichstedt has called high school play-by-play for WFDL AM 1170 in Fond du Lac. While in college, he also worked for Clear Channel Madison.
Harp achieves morning drive goal in Huntsvile
(July 11, 2007) – Seth Harp has always wanted to host a morning drive sports talk show. Now he’s going to get to. Harp, represented by Sportscasters Talent Agency of America (S-T-Double-A https://www.staatalent.com ) is joining WUMP in Huntsville, AL.
Harp has spent the last 10 months co-hosting afternoon drive on ESPN 1480 in Lincoln, NE. He’ll begin work in Huntsville the second week of July.
Hosting morning drive represents the achievement of a long-time goal for Harp. “Morning drive is where you can make the biggest impact with people,” Harp says. “People just waking up want to hear the stories that have taken place overnight. You get to jump-start somebody’s day. What you talk about on your show will be what they talk about during their day.”
The move represents a jump in market size from 173 to 113. It also puts Harp at a station that has produced talents such as Doug Franz, a sports talk host at KTAR in Phoenix, and Dan Schwartzman, talk show host at ESPN 920 in Atlantic City, NJ.
“The proven track record of 730 The Ump and the quality sports journalists they have produced make this a great opportunity” Harp says.
The opportunity was unexpected by Harp. “I can’t thank my agent Jon Chelesnik enough,” Harp says. “He is the one who contacted me about Bill West’s (Market Manager, Cumulus Huntsville) interest. It was all because of the STAA Talent Search. Jon sent my Talent Page. Bill saw something he liked, contacted Jon, and that set the wheels in motion. Without that Talent Page, this probably doesn’t happen.”
While Harp is excited about the move, there is a lot he is going to miss about Lincoln. “My nine months in Lincoln–I
enjoyed every second of it.,” Harp says. “Its great people. I love the opportunity (Three Eagles Communications
Executives) Jim Keck and Roger Dodgson gave me. I enjoyed working with Chris Schmidt. I enjoyed my overall expereience there.
Great fans too. It is just time for a new challenge in my life and a new opportunity.”
Stroke of luck land Catley Osprey play-by-play job
(June 14, 2007) – Ben Catley woke up Monday morning looking for work and didn’t have a single prospect. By the time his head hit the pillow Wednesday night, Catley was the radio voice of the Missoula Osprey minor league baseball team.
For Catley, the serendipidous chain of events began with an email Monday morning to Sportscasters Talent Agency of America (S-T-Double-A) CEO Jon Chelesnik. “I was coming out of a contract and looking for an opportunity,” Catley says.
While Catley’s email was traveling through cyberspace, Osprey General Manager Matt Ellis was on the phone with Chelesnik. An unexpected turn of events left the Osprey without a play-by-play announcer. With the start of the season just eight days away, Ellis didn’t have time to advertise the opening and field the dozens of calls that would ensue. He turned to STAA.
“STAA provided us a short list of quality candidates very quickly,” Ellis says. “We had resumes and demo tapes online in minutes. We found the new play-by-play voice of the Osprey in very short time without many of the headaches associated with a national search.”
Among the sportscasters STAA introduced to Ellis was Catley, who immediately caught Elllis’ attention. Within 48 hours, Catley drove nine hours from Miles City, MT to Missoula, interviewed, and was offered the job. He didn’t hesitate to say yes.
“One of my goals in the business is to be the voice of a team,” Catley says. “To have the chance to do that at the pro level is something I could not turn away from.
“It was basically a stroke of luck. It just so happened that everything worked out in my favor. The Osprey had a job they needed fill quickly and I needed to find a job quickly.”
“STAA played a huge role,” Catley says. “Having my resume and aircheck online in the STAA Talent Search not only helped the Osprey get a chance to listen to what I had, but also to listen to other people and compare to see what they were going to get in a play-by-play guy.
“Having that contact with STAA is huge (for sportscasters).”
Osprey GM Ellis believes the STAA Talent Search is also great for employers. “I would recommend STAA as a source for anyone looking for a sportscaster,” Ellis says.
Most recently, Catley was the Sports Information DIrector at Miles Community College in Montana. However, his contract is expiring this month and the school is dissolving the position.
Catley’s job with the Osprey is seasonal. After the season, he plans to “try to land some freelance stuff and see what happens.” As Catley says, “You just never know what is going to be around the next corner.”
Evans latest STAA client to land at WTKA Ann Arbor
(June 13, 2007) – For the second time in a month, an STAA client is joining Sports Talk 1050 WTKA radio in Ann Arbor. MI. The latest is Andy Evans, who has been hired as a sports anchor. He will also help in production and imaging, and participate in the station’s coverage of University of Michigan football.
In May, STAA client Casey Ford joined WTKA as a co-host on their morning show.
One of the attractions for Evans is WTKA’s reputation for developing young talent. Among their alums is 1270 XYT Detroit sports talk host Doug Karsch and Sports Radio 1250 WSSP Milwaukee Program Director Ryan Maguire.
“There are a lot of talented guys who have come from this station, so it is an opportunity to grow my career,” says Evans.
The opportunity at WTKA actually evolved from an application Evans submitted for a different job at the station.
“I sent them the link to my STAA Talent Page,” Evans says. It was enough that he (WTKA PD Brian Cowan) could see my resume and listen to my demo and he called me back for an interview.”
Evans moves to WTKA from 106.5 The Zone in Toledo. While in Ohio, Evans also served as the play-by-play voice for Bowling Green University hockey. The toughest part of Evans decision to move to WTKA was relinquishing his BGU duties.
The commute from Toledo to Ann Arbor is just 45 minutes. For now, Evans will commute while wife looks for job in Ann Arbor. He figures the travel is a worthwhile investment to be part of a station with such a rich tradition.
Tubbs moving to 1510 ESPN Great Bend
(June 9, 2007) – Chris Tubbs didn’t click his heels, but he ended-up in Kansas anyway. Tubbs has been hired as a sportscaster at 1510 ESPN Radio in Great Bend, KS.
His new responsibilities include play-by-play, hosting various sports programs, and sales.
“This (opportunity) will help me on so many levels and enhance the abilities that I have even more.” Tubbs says.
Tubbs moves to Great Bend after serving two years as Sports Director at KXEO radio in Mexico, MO.
The new job came to Tubbs unexpectedly. Ken Schwamborn, General Manager of 1510 ESPN, called STAA to inquire about three sportscasters he found in the Talent Search. During that conversation, STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik suggested that Tubbs might also be worth consideration. After listening to the demo on Tubbs’ Talent Page, Schwamborn called Tubbs.
In a note to STAA, Tubbs also expressed appreciation for help with his portfolio. “Thank you for helping me clean up my resume and audio,” Tubbs says.
A graduate of North Dakota State University, Tubbs has also worked in Columbia, MO, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Fargo, ND.
Root joins The Radio Network in Wyoming
(June 5, 2007) – Ben Root is continuing his slow migration east. The California native and STAA client is the new News Director/Play-by-Play Announcer at The Radio Network, based in Green River, WY.
Root is looking forward to learning more about different aspects of the industry. “While I have some news experience, doing it full time can help me in the future, as many jobs are not simply play-by-play alone,” Root says.
The job market is never easy, but there are some secrets to success. Root recommends learning as many aspects as possible to make you more valuable to employers. “I’ve done radio announcing, production, voice-tracking, news, and sports,” Root says. “If all you know is sports, it’s not as economically wise to hire you if you can’t help with other things.”
Root also made good use in the job market of his STAA Talent Page. ” I sent a cover letter-type of email to potential employers, along with the direct link to my Talent Page in the email.” Root says. “Occasionally, I would also attach another copy of my resume for their convenience. Having the talent page kept me from worrying about the size of the files I would normally send out.”
Root moves to Wyoming from Live 95 FM and KCED 93.1 FM in Centralia, WA. In addition to being an on-air personality, Root has been the play-by-play announcer for Centralia College men’s and women’s basketball since 2006.
A 2006 graduate of Fullerton College in CA, Root has also called games for Fullerton College football, and Cal State San Bernardino and Biola University baseball.
Sekkas moving to Aberdeen IronBirds
(June 5, 2007) – Broadcasters usually have to find their own opportunities. Every once in awhile, though, opportunity finds you. That is what happened to Nick Sekkas, the new play-by-play voice for the Aberdeen IronBirds.
The IronBirds are the New York-Penn league affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The team is owned by Cal Ripken Jr.
Sekkas, a client of Sportscasters Talent Agency of America was working for the Hagerstown Suns as a broadcaster and Media Relations Assistant when an official from Ripken Baseball called. Last August, Sekkas had applied for a job with Ripken Baseball calling games for the Augusta Greenjackets. He didn’t get that job, but the Ripken front office was impressed nevertheless.
“The opportunity came out of nowhere, but I am happy that it did,” Sekkas says. “I was enjoying my time as the No.2 in Hagerstown, but I couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this one.”
In addition to Hagerstown, Sekkas has also called games for the Pittsfield Dukes of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
“I am excited about being able to be the IronBirds number one broadcaster and get to work at Ripken Stadium. Aberdeen isn’t too far from where I went to school (at the University of Maryland) and when we travel to Brooklyn and Hudson Valley, I will be close to where I grew up in NY. It’s a n exciting opportunity and I’m looking forward to the season.”
Demos wins Lowell Spinners radio contest
(May 31, 2007) – Not many people get to work in a job they love. Even fewer ever win a nation-wide contest. Mike Demos has accomplished both in one try.
A client of Sportscasters Talent Agency of America, Demos has won the Lowell Spinners baseball play-by-play contest. The Spinners are the Class-A affiliate of Demo’s favorite team, the Boston Red Sox.
“I grew up in Canton, Massachusetts, which is about half and hour from there (Lowell),” Demos says. I’m a lifelong Red Sox die-hard. To be part of the organization is a dream come true.”
It has been said that nothing worth having comes easily. This is especially applicable to Demos winning the Spinners contest. Demos was chosen through a process similar to ESPN’s “Dream Job,” where potential announcers applied through a series of interviews and public auditions.
Early auditions were held at a variety of locations. Then the Spinners narrowed their list and invited the finalists to the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Needham, MA. There, the remaining broadcasters called play-by-play from video of Game 4 of the 2004 World Series. They were given statistics, a microphone, a pat on the back and nothing else. Live judges evaluated each broadcaster’s performance.
At the Needham audition, the finalists were also interviewed. Demos battled a swollen throat during his interview, the result of a bad reaction to seafood. “I felt like I had a rock in my throat,” Demos says.
As part of his new gig, Demos will also get to broadcast a game from legendary Fenway Park. The Spinners will be playing a regular season game there later this season.
Demos shares credit with Sportscasters Talent Agency of America for helping him win the Spinners contest.
“When I went to use the STAA service, I was thinking it was what most of them are—just tapes and resumes. With the Spinners contest, I wasn’t able to submit my tape and resume (that STAA made for me). However, the advice STAA gives in the newsletters you send out, and the other advice you (STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik) shared was an added benefit.”
Demos is also the radio play-by-play voice of Siena women’s basketball and will continue in that role.
“Its hard to put together right now,” Demos says. “This is a perfect scenario.”
Fluke lands Robertson Triple-A job
(May 28, 2007) – Sean Robertson even calls it a fluke. The voice of the Petersburg Generals of the summer collegiate Coastal Plain League, Robertson has joined the radio broadcast team of the Triple-A Richmond Braves.
An STAA client, Robertson will serve as the No.2 announcer on all Braves home games.
“It basically happened on a whim. I had talked to Richmond’s media relations manager John Emmett about access to an upcoming Virginia Commonwealth baseball game that was at the Braves home facility. During our conversation, he mentioned to me that the Braves previous No.2 announcer Steve Patras passed away in April. The Braves didn’t know if or when they would fill the position.”
At about the same time, Richmond’s radio play-by-play announcer Robert Fish was surfing the Talent Search on the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America website. He found Robertson’s Talent Page, reviewed Sean’s demo and resume, and thought Sean might be a good fit on the Braves broadcasts. When Fish told Emmett and Robertson, Emmett was already familiar with Sean. After an on-air tryout, Robertson had earned the job.
Robertson, the Sports Director at WVST in Petersburg, VA and the voice of Virginia State athletics, is thrilled about his unexpected opportunity.
“One, it puts me in that next level. It’s the Triple-A affiliate of a team (the Atlanta Braves) I am a die-hard fan of,” Robertson says. “The doors for networking that will be opened are endless now.”
When people ask Robertson about how the Braves opportunity came about, he laughs “because it was so fluky.”
The Braves have made no promises that Robertson’s role will last past this season. However, Robertson is certainly hoping it does.
Ford joins WTKA morning show
(May 25, 2007) – Casey Ford bleeds Wolverine blue. That’s why his newest job is his perfect job. Ford, an STAA client, has joined the morning show at Sports Talk 1050 WTKA in Ann Arbor, MI.
Ford is co-hosting the Michigan Insider show with Sam Webb, a writer with GoBlueWolverine.com
For Ford, the factors that make this his perfect job are simple.
“Michigan football and Michigan basketball,” Ford says emphatically with a grin. “We did an hour and a half yesterday just on Michigan football after they released their new schedule.”
The opportunity at WTKA came quickly. A friend told Ford about the opening on a Sunday. Ford immediately emailed station PD Brian Cowan the same day. Cowan called Ford on Monday, Ford interviewed Tuesday and auditioned that Friday. He was offered job the following week.
Ford is also the Voice of University of Michigan women’s basketball. He will continue in that role.
Succeeding in the job market isn’t always easy. Ford knows that first hand. “It took me six years to go from the public access TV station I was at to get a radio job,” Ford says. “You have to keep plugging away. It’s not going to come overnight.”
Baumhor joins Coastal Plain League
(March 18, 2007) – STAA client Andrew Baumhor has landed his first minor league baseball job. Baumhor has been named Media Relations Director,
Marketing Assistant and broadcaster for the Thomasville HiToms. Baumhor will handle play-by-play for all 30 of the HiToms home games.
Anastos added to Nashua Pride radio
(May 8, 2007) – Nick Anastos has joined the Nashua Pride radio team. Anastos, a resident of nearby Bedford, NH, will call all Nashua home games. The Pride play in the inedpendent Can-Am League.
Represented by STAA, Anastos is also the radio play-by-play voice of Bentley College (NCAA Division II) football and basketball.
With Nashua, Anastos will share radio the broadcast booth with longtime Pride announcer Ken Cail.
McKay joins Colorado Rockies broadcast team
(April 16, 2007) – After working in other areas of radio, J.J. McKay has landed a dream job at the Colorado Rockies flagship, NewsRadio 850 KOA. McKay, an STAA client, is a part-time anchor at the Rockies Sports Desk.
McKay has spent 30 years in radio as an Air Personality & Program Director. He’s worked in some of the largest markets in the country, including Los Angeles, Dallas, Washington D.C. and Denver. However, McKay broke into radio with the hope of working in sports. He is thrilled to finally fulfill that goal.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity for me. What I’m excited about is being part of a Major League broadcast team.”
Calderwood moving to Traverse City
(April 12, 2007) The Traverse City Beach Bums are pleased to announce the hiring of Tim Calderwood as Director of Media and Broadcasting.
Calderwood, an STAA client, brings a diverse baseball broadcasting and media background to the Beach Bums in 2007. For the past three years Calderwood has served as the Sports Information Director and play-by-play announcer at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. The past two summers he has worked in collegiate summer baseball, serving as the voice of the NECBL’s Sanford Mainers in 2006 and the CICL’s DuPage Dragons in 2005.
He brings a tremendous passion for the sport of baseball as well as professionalism to the Beach Bums family. “We feel we found the right person to take over where (STAA Client) Chad Cooper left off,” said John Wuerfel, Beach Bums CEO, “Tim is enthusiastic, outgoing and a true people person we believe our Beach Bums fans will enjoy listening to.”
“I am extremely excited and feel fortunate to have the opportunity to bring all the Beach Bums action to the airwaves this summer,” Calderwood said. “This is truly a dream come true. I had a tremendous visit to Northern Michigan last weekend and look forward to creating memories in the foreseeable future.”
A Chicagoland native, Calderwood graduated from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois with a degree in broadcast communications in 2003. In addition to earning several awards, during college he also served as a broadcast intern with the Schaumburg Flyers of the Northern League when Flyer games were broadcast on the North Central radio station.
In addition to his time at Loras, Calderwood has also interned with the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) and the Chicago Rush (Arena Football). He has also written for local newspapers.
Although Calderwood assumes his new position on the first of May, he will be on hand for the 2nd Annual Beach Bums Fan Fest April 21. (Courtesy Traverse City Beach Bums)
Larson is new voice of Madison Mallards
(March 30, 2007) – WTDY AM 1670 Sports Director Ben Larson, an STAA client, has been hired as the play-by-play voice of the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is a summer collegiate baseball league. The Mallards play a 68 game schedule between June and August. The games will be broadcast on Madison’s Sports Radio 100.5 FM (WTLX).
Larson has called football, basketball and baseball games at the semi-pro, college, and high school level in the past, now he is eager to return to the broadcast booth in June.
“I am just looking forward to calling baseball games and following one team through an entire season. It has been a long time since I have been able to do either. Getting to know players, coaches, and front office people, as well as call the action as a season unfolds is what I have always wanted to do.”
Larson’s summer activities won’t be exclusively at a baseball diamond.
“I will be keeping my full-time job with WTDY – Midwest Family Broadcasting has been great about letting me do both”
Beattie gets another gig, this time in Wilson
(March 27, 2007) – Charlie Beattie has landed jobs in one month. Beattie, an STAA client, is the new radio voice of the Wilson Tobs
The circumstances that led Beattie to Wilson are unique, to say the least. In early March, Beattie accepted a job with the Charlotte County Redfish of the South Coast League. Less than three weeks later, Beattie and the team agreed to part ways after determining they weren’t the best fit for each other.
As Beattie was leaving Florida for the drive back home to Minnesota, he spoke to his friend Matt Pauley (another STAA client). Pauley had been offered both the Wilson job and a job with the Georgia Peanuts. He accepted the latter, but put in a word for Beattie with the Tobs.
“Literally before I got home, I interviewed (with Wilson) in my car,” Beattie says. “I was in Illinois. It was very informal. I spoke to their General Manager Ben Jones. We seemed to get along pretty eel. He got me excited about going down there. After talking to him I thought this was probably a pretty good opportunity.”
The Tobs play in the Coast Plain League, a summer collegiate league. The league has a track record of producing great talent; including Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander, who pitched for Wilson.
The league, especially Wilson, also a track record for sending broadcasters on to affiliated leagues. For now though, Beattie is happy to be staying put.
(March 26, 2007) – Steve Moulton is balancing a new job. Moulton, an STAA client, is the new morning producer and sports update anchor for Clear Channel’s Huntsville talk station, WBHP/WHOS.
The experienced producer and host has worked at WWTM in Decatur, WSTR, WQXI, and WSB in Atlanta, and with PGA Tour Radio.
Moulton is also the Network Producer for Citadel’s Tennessee Titans Radio Network, and the Arena Football broadcasts of the Nashville Kats. In addition, Moulton will continue to write a column for the alt-weekly Valley Planet in Huntsville.
If that isn’t enough for one man, Moulton will be adding “father” to his list of duties in September, when he and his wife are expecting the birth of their baby.