(May 29, 2013) Brad Barnes was looking for three things in his first job out of college. Not only has he found them, but he doesn’t even have to leave his home state. An STAA client, Barnes is joining High Plains Radio in Oberlin, KS as an announcer, play-by-play broadcaster and account executive.
“My responsibilities will include a daily music show in the morning, then I will be out handling advertising in the afternoon,” says Barnes. “Once school gets going I will be calling the football and basketball games for Decatur County High School. One of my goals is to eventually have a weekly coach’s show for the football and basketball teams.”
A 2013 graduate of Baker University in Kansas, Barnes picked up a variety of sports broadcasting experience while on the Baldwin City campus. As the student manager of the campus radio station he hosted air shifts and sports shows, and broadcast play-by-play for Baker’s women’s basketball team and local high school sports.
Barnes is eager to hit the ground running in Oberlin. “I wanted something where I could have a show, call play by play and sell ads. This position will allow me to do all three of those things.
“I also enjoy the small town feel of Oberlin. I was always told that starting off in a small town was the best way to go, but I never thought I would be this happy with my decision. This is going to be a great opportunity to get out there and do a ton of games.”
Barnes says his new opportunity was the result of perfect timing. “I was about to accept an offer for a part time position at [another station] when my professor and broadcast partner Tom Hedrick told me about a lead up in Oberlin. I contacted Kent Cornish, the Kansas Association of Broadcasters President, and it was all smooth sailing from there. I emailed my resume and demo early in the week, had a call by Friday and was in Oberlin the next Monday for the interview.
“Things could not have worked out any better than they did.”
(Visit Brad’s STAA Talent Page).