(September 28, 2017) Opportunity often arises suddenly in sports broadcasting. For Collin Schuck, rapidly unfolding developments have led him to the next step in his hockey play-by-play career. An STAA member, Schuck is the new broadcaster and social media manager for the Lincoln Stars of the USHL.
When outgoing Stars’ broadcaster Matthew McGreevy told the organization he was leaving, STAA members were immediately notified of the opening.
“I first saw the job in the STAA Job Leads email on a Friday afternoon,” says Schuck. “With how late the opening came, [the STAA job sheet] was the fastest way to know about it. From there, it was a whirlwind of a process lasting from Sunday to Friday before there was an offer.
“Being an STAA member and getting that email was huge to the fortune I found,” Schuck smiles.
Schuck moves to Lincoln from Corpus Christi, TX where he spent the past three years with the NAHL’s IceRays. Moving to the USHL is a logical career step. “It also provides a new, fresh challenge outside of broadcasting with different expectations in a completely different hockey market and environment with more eyes and ears from higher levels,” he says.
Though Schuck was busy with his IceRays duties when the Lincoln application process started, he made sure to be accessible to the Stars. “Applying quickly and responding quickly to questions from [the Stars] owner and general manager proved beneficial in a time-sensitive situation where the regular season begins in just a few weeks. I needed to be accessible for questions and interviews.”
Schuck is a 2013 graduate of Ithaca College. While in school, he fill-in on radio play-by-play and TV color with the AHL’s Binghamton Senators.
Since joining STAA in 2016, Schuck has come to appreciate the community aspect of STAA.
“There is a lot of valuable information not only from [CEO] Jon Chelesnik but also many broadcasters that are at higher levels and are willing to give their time and thoughts to help those that are looking to further their careers. Those resources are so valuable to have, even just to see what others are doing and how that can help better what you’re already doing.”
Working consistently to improve has paid off for Schuck as he now moves to Lincoln.
“This was the right opportunity at the right time of my life for the right organization. Luckily, it all came to fruition very, very quickly.”