High school sports in Wyoming are starting as scheduled this month and Cullen Holt will be there to call play-by-play. An STAA member, Holt is joining Cook Brothers Broadcasting in Evanston. The full-time position includes radio and video play-by-play streaming and hosting a local talk show.
“I came across the job lead in one of STAA’s emails and applied almost immediately,” Holt grins. “I’m super thankful for STAA. The job leads are invaluable, and the resources and advice make leaving STAA virtually impossible at this stage of my career.
“In the middle of uncertainty surrounding sports and COVID-19, this position offered me the opportunity to work on my craft and cover a community that is passionate about and dedicated to its local sports.”
Baseball disappointment
Holt thought he would spend this summer traveling to Minor League Baseball ballparks. In the spring, he accepted a broadcasting position with the Augusta GreenJackets. COVID-19, though, put an end to that after Holt spent several months in the team’s front office. Still, he is positive about the experience.
“I can’t thank the GreenJackets enough for the opportunity they gave me. As tough as it was to not call a game for them, they allowed me to work with them for over five months and it was an absolute blast helping to engage their fans in new and creative ways.”
The support of family and friends helped Holt through the disappointment of not getting in a full season in Augusta. “Finding a great opportunity with Cook Brothers didn’t hurt either,” he adds.
Smart planning
Holt believes two things gave him an edge in his pursuit of the Evanston job. “First, I’ve been blessed to get a wide variety of opportunities in broadcasting and journalism over the years, which has given me a diverse skillset. Second, I showed genuine interest in both the company and in Bridger Valley sports.”
A Southern California native, Holt graduates from Cal Baptist University in December. Smart class planning enables him to move to Wyoming before he’s even earned his diploma. “I took all of my major classes in my first two and-a-half years so I would be able to switch to online classes if a good career opportunity came up.”
Holt joined STAA in 2018 as a college sophomore. “[Longtime STAA member] Ghizal Hasan was the first to recommend STAA to me, Holt says. “Other broadcasters in Southern California were also using STAA to advance their careers, so joining was a no-brainer.”