Paul Teeple can ditch his winter wardrobe. An STA client, Teeple is moving from Bismarck, ND to South Florida to take over as the voice of the Florida Everblades hockey of the ECHL.
“The Everblades are a fantastic organization, with incredible fan support and a pair of fantastic affiliations with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes,” says Teeple. “Additionally, I have family in south Florida so it’s a great place for my family to relocate to.”
Teeple moves to Estero, FL from Bismarck, ND where he has spent the past four seasons handling broadcasting and media for the Junior A Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League. Prior to that, he spent one season with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms, also of the NAHL. He has also called games for the Quad Cities Mallards.
The process that led Teeple to the Everblades was fast and unexpected. It started on Monday September 2nd when Everblades General Manager Craig Brush called STAA. The team’s previous broadcaster, STAA client Alex Reed, had left to join his hometown Norfolk Admirals in a non-broadcasting position. With the start of the Everblades season just six weeks away, Reed had suggested Brush contact STAA to expedite the search for his replacement.
“Craig was very specific in what he told me he wanted, and he asked me to send him a small handful of clients who fit the description,” says STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik. “Paul Teeple was the first name on the list.”
For ten days after sending the prospect list to Brush, Chelesnik didn’t hear anything. “I tried one phone call and a couple of emails but Craig was so busy I didn’t hear back from him,” says Chelesnik. Not knowing if Brush had yet settled on someone, Chelesnik notified STAA premier members of the opening. That was the first time Teeple learned of the opportunity. He immediately prepared to apply and Chelesnik for suggestions to make himself stand out.
“What I suggested to Paul I will keep private, but he executed it perfectly,” says Chelesnik. “In fact, it was the first thing Craig Brush mentioned to Paul when calling to talk to him about the position.”
“As I’ve learned, standing out is everything,” says Teeple. “There are some positions these days where literally hundreds of really great and qualified broadcasters apply, so it becomes a question of, ‘How can I show these guys what makes me special?’
An STAA client for many years, Teeple regularly takes advantage of the unlimited career planning and consulting that comes with being a client.
“Being able to bounce application and cover letter ideas off of Jon has been an invaluable resource in my job hunt over the years,” says Teeple. “What’s been really helpful is that there is no sugar-coating. If something is holding my applications back, Jon is quick to point it out and give me honest and constructive feedback.”
Teeple is a 2005 graduate of Ohio University. It was in Athens where is got his first experience calling Bobcats hockey. Eight years later, he is onto the affiliated ranks.
(Visit Paul’s STAA Talent Page).