Creighton gets TV anchor/reporter/play-by-play job

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Ben Creighton(February 27, 2015) When Ben Creighton left home for a run one afternoon in January, he had no idea it would be career changing. An STAA member, Creighton is joining ABC 9 KEZI in Eugene, OR as a weekend sports anchor/reporter. He will also handle play-by-play for KEZI’s high school and college football and basketball coverage.

As Creighton was jogging that day near his home in Portland, his phone rang. It was STAA’s Jon Chelesnik. “KEZI’s News Director Matt Templeman had found Ben’s demo and resume on the STAA website,” says Chelesnik. “He called me to ask if Ben might be interested in the position. I said ‘yes,’ gave Ben’s number to Matt, then called Ben to give him the heads up that Matt would be calling.”

Within minutes, Templeman called Creighton. Three weeks later, Creighton was offered the job.

“I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of the station and their team due to their hard work in making KEZI’s sports coverage stand out among the rest of the stations in the area,” says Creighton. “Plus, the chemistry and comradery among the sports team, as well as the whole staff, showed that they really do care about each other and want to help everyone succeed and enjoy their time at KEZI. I am extremely blessed to be working at KEZI for my first full-time job.”

Though Creighton is a 2014 graduate of Washington State University, he is an Oregon native and has been broadcasting University of Portland men’s basketball this season. In his new gig, he will be covering both of the state’s Pac 12 schools.

“Considering I’m basically the only one in my whole family who isn’t a Duck or a Beaver, they’re all very excited I’ll be covering Oregon and Oregon State athletics. I also know a lot of people from high school, and from Portland, that still attend U of O and OSU, and I am excited to hear their reactions when they turn on the news and see me reporting on their schools sports programs.”

At KEZI, Creighton will be covering much more than just the two major universities.

“The sports coverage in Eugene is endless…it’s an amazing sports town. Of course, you have the Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers just 30 minutes away, but the NCAA Track and Field Championships this summer and the NCAA Golf Championships in 2016 will be in Eugene. There’s also the Eugene Emeralds (Minor League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs), in which I’m hoping I can maybe get involved and become a fill-in play-by-play broadcaster for the club. Simply put, to begin my career in such a huge sports town like Eugene is a dream come true and I intend to take advantage of every opportunity that comes up. “

Creighton tips his cap to STAA for its part in helping facilitate his career change.

“Without STAA and Jon, I doubt I would have been offered this amazing opportunity,” says Creighton. “Having all of my reels and work located on one page, along with having Jon Chelesnik as a reference to help me get closer to potential employers, and to help me with every step needed to receive an offer, are things that I anticipated when I decided to join STAA last summer.

“Quite simply, if you have a passion for sportscasting, join STAA. It’s well worth it and will help you in a variety of ways. I owe it to Jon and STAA for helping me get my start on a career path that has long been a dream of mine.”

(Visit Ben’s STAA Talent Page).

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