(June 9, 2015) Charlie Walter was fired up when he learned of a sports opening at a TV station in Albany, GA. After a few phone interviews, he put all of his eggs into the position and went all out for it. To say the least, he was tremendously disappointed when he didn’t get it.
What Walter did next is surprising, and it has led him to a sports reporter job with Fox 34 WDFX in Dothan, AL.
After learning that the Albany station had chosen another candidate, Walter picked up the phone. “I called to thank them for giving me a chance, but to also ask them what it was that ultimately caused them to go with another candidate.”
A few days later, Walter received a call from News Director Scott Duff of WSFA in Montgomery, AL. The news director in Albany had referred Walter to Duff. “[Duff] told me he liked the professionalism that I showed in thanking Albany and also my proactive approach in calling the station and finding out what I could do to better myself,” Walter explains. “After a couple straight days of chatting, he gave me the offer.”
In his new role, Walter will be providing content for the stations in Dothan and Montgomery, both of which are owned by Raycom. “My job is very unique. I’m in a two-person newsroom. We both have our own equipment, editing bays, and also a little studio. Along with our own newscasts, we also collect and produce content for news programs aired on WSFA (in Montgomery). This includes weekly feature stories for WSFA’s High School Football Fever Show.
“After getting my feet wet, they intend to have me anchor in Montgomery when our sports guys take vacations.”
A May 2015 graduate of Ohio University, Walter was ranked as the nation’s 8th most outstanding collegiate sports broadcaster by Sportscasters Talent Agency of America. He is excited about having multiple platforms over which to showcase his abilities.
“Yes, I am my own photographer and have to produce for myself, but that’s what makes this gig so great. I can find the stories I think will thrive, and generate them to my liking. I also get to cover any breaking news in Dothan, which gives me the potential opportunity to cover and report live for a groundbreaking story.”
(Visit Charlie’s STAA Talent Page).