(December 13, 2013) The sports broadcasting industry frequently pays dividends to the proactive person who works with an eye for the future. STAA client Jason Kempf is one such individual. Kempf is joining the Wichita Wingnuts as Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations. The Wingnuts play in the independent American Association.
“This is a great opportunity for me because I will have a chance to call all 100 games for a well-respected organization in the American Association,” Kempf says.
Kempf moves to Wichita from the St. Paul Saints, where he spent last season as a Broadcasting and Media Relations Assistant. He is a 2012 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
The Wingnuts were AA Central Division Champions each of the past two seasons. In 2010 they were named the American Association’s Organization of the Year.
STAA sent the job opening to clients in early October, after learning of the possibility of an opening and contacting the team for deails. At roughly the same time, Kempf became aware of the job when he contacted the Wingnuts’ former broadcaster, whom he had met in 2013 while interning for the St. Paul Saints. “I had some very positive interaction with him during the season, so after it concluded, I asked him if he would mind listening to some of my material. He told me he liked what he heard, would not be returning in 2014, and would give the team a recommendation for me. From there things moved pretty quickly and fortunately I was chosen for the job.”
Kempf credits spending last season with the Saints as being crucial in providing the necessary experience and networking opportunities to move up.
“[Saints Director of Broadcasting] Sean Aronson was a consummate professional and went out of his way to help me gain the necessary experience to succeed in the business. I was able to learn rules and regulations specific to independent baseball and most importantly interact with the broadcasters of other teams that travelled to St. Paul to call games. Had I not been where I was last season this opportunity would not have been possible.”
Kempf reminds his peers to utilize available resources like STAA, and to conquer any timidity when connecting with other broadcasters.
“Keep your eyes and ears open at all times and reach out to other people in jobs that interest you. STAA is a great asset to find out when and where broadcasting jobs are opening up around the county. I check the website at least three times a day to make sure I don’t miss anything.
“Get to know others in the industry and never be afraid to ask them for advice or to listen to your demo. Had I not reached out to other broadcasters in the league, I never would have gotten the inside track to the Wichita gig.”