(January 15, 2013) Pop quiz: what do Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Cosby, and STAA client Jake Levy all have in common? If you answered the Harlem Globetrotters, you’d be correct! Levy is joining the Globetrotters as the team announcer.
Levy is replacing fellow STAA client Alex Del Barrio.
“I’ve done play-by-play, PA announcing and emceeing in my broadcast career and this gives me a chance to blend all three of those formats in front of a large and different crowd every night,” Levy says. “Being 23 years old and thus not too tied down in any facet makes this the perfect time to travel nationally and internationally while I continue to hone my craft as a broadcaster and entertainer.”
A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Levy has been broadcasting play-by-play for high school sports in New Jersey. Last year, Levy was the Broadcasting and Media Relations Assistant for the Lynchburg Hillcats, the Class-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. He was searching for his next career opportunity when an STAA job leads email tipped off him off to the Globetrotters opening just before Thanksgiving.
“I was a finalist for another job and had a few other pots on the fire as well, but figured this was too awesome an experience not to apply. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t think I had much of a chance of hearing back so I just had fun with the application. It just so happened the day that I found out I didn’t get the job I was a finalist for, I got a call from Harlem and things kinda rolled from there.”
Before extending an official offer, the Globetrotters brought Levy out for a trial week.
“I watched the shows as the announcer for the tour I was shadowing did the game, seeing the intricate process of announcing while playing the music and sound effects. I did the pregame (including Trotters intro, which was an awesome experience in itself) for the last two games of the week.”
Levy is excited to participate in the unique blend of basketball and comedy theater that the Globetrotters take on tour – even if it means being on the road for at least the next four months.
“This tour takes me everywhere from Winnipeg to Miami and LA to St. Louis. I’ll get a chance to see some big cities I’ve never seen before but also some smaller towns and the real landscape of America. I’ve been to 14 states in my life already but after this that number will certainly hit over 20.
“I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity and know that if I do well I’ll earn a chance to perform overseas and continue to see new parts of the globe. I’d like to again thank Jon Chelesnik and the STAA job tips for lining me up with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
(Visit Jake’s STAA Talent Page).