It's been a long, long time coming. I nearly went the entire month of December without updating my blog, but with good reason. This has been a life changing month, especially when you consider that i graduated from Concordia University-Wisconsin on December 13th. I can't even begin to explain what a heavy weight lifted off my shoulder finishing school is, and now i can focus all of my attention on my career. Like every young broadcaster, I'm always looking for new broadcast opportunities and sending out my resume and demo tapes, but don't feel as though I'm in a hurry to find anything new.
I'm extremely happy with my broadcast position at When We Were Young Productions/FSN Wisconsin/Charter on Demand, and my freelance position with Time Warner Cable Sports 32. Of course I'm still working Concordia athletics, and will continue to do so until at least the end of the basketball season. I feel it's only right that if i start something, i finish it as well, even though I'm no longer a Concordia student. I can't even begin to explain how much i love calling Concordia men's and women's basketball, and have been blessed to be in that position for the past seven seasons. In fact, as i type this I'm sitting on a bus somewhere in Oklahoma, en route to Georgetown, Texas, where the Falcon women's basketball team will play a tournament on December 29th-30th at Southwestern University.
As i sit on this bus, I've had a lot of time to think about how blessed i am to be doing what I'm doing, and all of the blessings i have in my life. We all get by with a little help from our friends as the Beatles once sang, and i think that rings true especially during these hectic and joyful holiday times. One question i will have to answer in the next week or so is whether or not i will return as the "Voice of the Green Bay Bullfrogs." The franchise returns to the diamond for its third season, and as much as i would love to be around for my third season too, it really is a rough schedule. I've had the opportunity to take a sneak peak at the schedule, which is due to be released to the public in the next week or so, and it's another 68-game in 75-day marathon, with a couple of lengthy road trips in the Bullfrogs future.
Another thing that will factor into my decision is the fact that the entire coaching staff is gone. I've been real lucky to deal with three amazing baseball minds the last couple of summers, but each will be unable to return this summer which is way too bad. Congratulations to former field manager Elliott Strankman, the 2007 Northwood's League Manager of the Year, who was named a scout for the Minnesota Twins. I have no doubt he will serve the Twins well, so don't be surprised if they have a strong minor league system (much like the Brewers did over the last half a decade or so) in the not too distant future. Stranks knows his stuff.
Also gone is general manager Mike Then, who took a position with the Madison Mallards, as he continues his quest to obtain a front office position in minor league baseball. Sure the Bullfrogs will replace or have replaced these amazing people with others who will do an awesome job, but I'm one who doesn't deal with wholesale changes easily. However, i have had nothing but great experiences with the fans, and they will be a big reason as to why i come back if i decide to go that route.
As far as up-coming broadcasts go, besides my Concordia responsibilities, the only other games i have on the schedule at this point are January 9th, I'll be calling the live TV broadcast of New Berlin Eisenhower at New Berlin West boy's basketball on Sports 32, and will also be calling a tape-delayed girls basketball game on Sports 32 on January 20th, between Brookfield East and Milwaukee Pius. On January 10th, the Milwaukee Wave have asked me to call their boy's high school all-star game, which will follow that nights Milwaukee Wave-Detroit Ignition game at the U.S. Cellular Arena. That game can be seen via the Milwaukee Wave website, and potentially on Sports 32 (as i type this, talks are still going on between the two).
Well it's time to run, we're about to watch film on the first team Concordia plays in Texas (Pacific Lutheran out of Tacoma, Washington). Thanks again to everyone who have sent me congratulation and best wish cards over the last couple of weeks, they really mean a lot. I'll do my best over the next few weeks to keep this blog more current. Happy New Year!!!
One of the most hectic weeks of my winter is on the horizon, as I prepare to broadcast 10 games over the course of six days.
