(July 19, 2012) Craig Hoffman didn’t get the job he applied for, but he made such an impression on management that they offered him another gig. A recent Syracuse grad and 2012 STAA All-American, Hoffman is joining 1320 KLWN and 105.9 KISS FM in Lawrence, KS.
Hoffman will serve the stations in a variety of roles, including sports talk host, play-by-play broadcaster and DJ. It is his versatility that grabbed the attention of station GM Jay Wachs.
“This job allows me to do a multitude of things which I love,” says Hoffman. “I often talked with friends as my time at Syracuse was wrapping up about how much I was going to miss doing Top 40 and likely even play-by-play. I also was nervous that I wasn’t going to get a daily gig as I was continually told, ‘We really liked you but decided to go with someone with more experience’ as I applied for jobs. In the end, I got it all and more.
“Not only will I have a daily talk show, but I’ll get to do play-by-play for the two sports I want (football and basketball). I’ll also get to not only jock Top 40, but DJ it both in studio and at live events.”
In Lawrence, Hoffman will work alongside fellow STAA client Sean Levine, who was recently hired as a sports talk host. It was in applying for that job that Wachs came to appreciate Hoffman’s abilities.
“I saw the listing on STAA and contacted Jay Wachs, who is an old family friend,” says Hoffman. “I had to apply like everyone else, and in fact, that job from that listing wound up going to Sean Levine. However I made an imprint on them with how versatile I was. They needed a “utility infielder” of sorts who can do things on both 1320 KLWN and 105.9 KISS FM, their CHR station. They had a round hole and there aren’t a lot of round pegs that exist. I’m one of them.
Hoffman smiles when he says, “There are worse spots to be in at 22 than a talk show host in a sports crazy college town who is also the top 40 station’s resident DJ. Not a bad gig. Not a bad gig at all.”
(Visit Craig’s STAA Talent Page).