(January 9, 2015) Making the transition from radio to TV is often challenging, but Danny Mata has accomplished it. After spending the past four years broadcasting mostly on radio and Internet, Mata has been hired as Sports Director at KVIA-TV in El Paso.
“It’s the biggest opportunity of my career to date. It gives me the final bit of experience and resources I need to eventually make it to ESPN,” says Mata.
“I never would have known about the job without STAA. Turns out I had a major connection who helped me get the gig. Without the website, I never would have known, let alone applied.”
A 2010 graduate of the University of Houston, Mata has spent the past four years broadcasting high school play-by-play for the Texas Sports Radio Network. For the past three years, he has also worked as a sports anchor/reporter at News 92 FM KROI in Houston.
Though his resume is heavy in radio, Mata does also have some on-camera experience. After graduating, he spent a year as a sideline reporter on Houston High School Sports’ Friday night Game of the Week productions. He also has shooting and editing experience.
Mata’s advice for other sportscasting job seekers is to be aggressive and never say no to opportunity.
“Everything in life comes down to a few simple questions. How bad do you want it? Are you willing to do what is necessary or what is convenient? Your career will reflect the choices you made. Never be too good to do anything. Learn everything you can from behind the scenes work to stuff outside of sports. It will make you better and will open doors.”