Levine finds perfect job right at home

(June 19, 2012) Sean Levine has known that sports talk radio was his life’s passion since the age of six. He is a good deal older now, but that passion hasn’t wavered. Levine, an STAA client, is joining News-Talk 1320 KLWN in Lawrence, Kansas as host for a new daily sports talk show.

Levine is replacing fellow STAA client Brian Hanni, who left to take over as men’s basketball play-by-play voice at Texas Tech University.

KLWN isn’t a stranger to Levine’s work; he’s been an independent contractor for the station, calling play-by-play in the past for KLWN. “I will continue doing the high school sports play-by-play as well for the station.”

Full time sportscasting work at KLWN is more than just another step in Levine’s career. This is the opportunity to fulfill a childhood dream in a location that holds personal meaning for Levine.

“Growing up in Kansas City with parents who went to KU, since birth I’ve had Jayhawk blood running through my veins. I don’t cry at funerals; I cry when KU gets knocked out of the tournament. As a kid driving out to Lawrence with my parents and sisters we would walk around campus, The Fieldhouse, Mass Street and to me, it was home. Getting a chance to work at such a great station like KLWN with passionate people like Brian Hanni and Jay Wachs is truly a dream come true.

“Since I was six years old in the backseat of my Uncle’s Lumina and heard sports talk on the radio for the first time, I knew what I wanted to do with my life.”

Levine knew this was the chance of a lifetime, so he employed a sweet flair to make sure his application was memorable.

“When I saw the posting on STAA I immediately got my Talent Page in front of Jay Wachs, the station’s GM. The night before my interview I called ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt and asked him to call Jay and put in a good word for me. Van Pelt only knew me from coming on as a guest on my college show, but he picked up my phone call and couldn’t have been cooler. He said that he would prefer Jay call him, so I had a cake made with Scott Van Pelt’s name and phone number on it and gave it to Jay just before my interview.”

After graduating from Kansas University, Levine spent a several months in Myrtle Beach, SC, co-hosting a sports talk show on ESPN 93.9. He then returned to his home state where he has been freelancing for KLWN.

Levine is grateful for the help he has received from STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik, on his journey to the dream job.

“Jon and STAA have been paramount in allowing me to pursue my career and passion. The Talent Page is an incredible tool to allow potential employers to see and hear my work without jumping through a lot of hoops. I appreciate so much that Jon has always returned my calls and provided me with incredibly well intentioned advice.

“There is no way I could have done this without STAA, I am forever grateful.”

(Visit Sean’s STAA Talent Page).