(April 26, 2011) When stuck between two job possibilities, sometimes the best option means taking a risk. STAA client Erik Elken took a risk and it has paid off with a #1 broadcaster position with the Tri-City ValleyCats.
The ValleyCats are the Houston Astros New York-Penn League Short Season Class-A affiliate.
“I’ve been itching to get into baseball and this is an all hands on deck experience,” Elken says. “I know it will be challenging, but I’m confident I will put out a great product. It’s also a great organization made up of a group of people I’m excited to work with. I grew up in the area, so I have seen the organization grow from its opening season to what it is today.”
Elken will broadcast all 38 of the ValleyCat’s home games and select road games. Elken will also assist in media relations, where a key part of his responsibilities will be expanding the team’s YouTube channel.
The opportunity to join the ValleyCat’s came about as a result of Elken’s own hustle.
“There were no postings and I didn’t even know if there was an opening at first,” Elken says. “I simply called the team up back in February to see what its plans were for the upcoming season and express some interest.”
STAA submitted Elken’s Talent Page for another opening in North Carolina. The New York based Elken interviewed for that job, but decided to stick it out and hope the closer-to-home ValleyCat’s job worked out.
“STAA has also been a huge help in bringing job opportunities to my attention that I would not have otherwise known about,” Elken says.
“I’m still relatively new to STAA as a client, but I can’t overstate how easy it makes the application process. It’s nice to be able to send a link to any potential employer and have them be able to see my talent page.”
A 2010 graduate of Syracuse University, Elken spent last year broadcasting football and basketball at the University of Albany. He also completed internships with ESPN and NBC Olympics.
(Visit Erik’s STAA Talent Page).