Taking Time to Be Thankful for a Facebook Message

Sports announcing is a passion of mine. The passion developed in my teenage years when I started announcing games for Solon Educational Television. Being behind a microphone and doing play-by-play excited me then and still excites me to this day.

I continued to announce games throughout college but the gigs dried up when I graduated and entered "the real world." I got my first job out of college as a salesman and had to learn how to make deals, bring in business, and be an adult.

This transition was not easy for me. Going from college student to working adult was harder than I imagined. I went to work each week and didn't create a life for myself outside of work. There were no opportunities to call games and I struggled with trying to find a balance in my life.

I eventually changed jobs and slowly started building a life for myself outside of work. I started taking up photography by taking pictures at local Solon High School football games and sporting events. I didn't know it then but this would eventually pave the way to get behind the microphone again.

It was New Year's Eve and a Facebook message from a neighbor down the street got me behind the microphone again. I was asked if I could do play-by-play for a Solon hockey game. It took me a second or two for it to register but the opportunity to announce again fell right into my lap.

The first gig back was rusty but I didn't care. Taking the time to create notes for the announcing gig, learning the rosters, and being back behind the microphone reminded me how much I missed and still loved calling the games.

This opportunity paved the way for me to call other Solon sports such as wrestling, volleyball, and basketball. Similar to that hockey game, being behind the microphone made me happy and I realized my passion for calling games was still strong.

Football had been my main sport to announce in high school and the opportunity to call games from the press box inside Solon's Stewart Field eventually fell into my lap. I served as a fill in color commentator for Solon's home opener one season and a year after that, I was back doing play-by-play for every Friday home game. Being back in the same press box I developed my passion for calling games makes me feel grateful I can still do what I love.

These announcing jobs for Solon eventually paved the way for other opportunities to do public address announcing. The public address announcing is different from announcing on television but is just as fun for me.

I think back to where I was before that Facebook message on New Year's Eve a few years ago. A special part of my life had been dormant for a long time and I often wondered if I would ever get a chance to announce another sporting event. I didn't realize it at the time but that Facebook message has made me thankful for the doors it has opened up.

Napster Changed the Music Industry

The music industry used to be driven by CD, tape, and record sales. In some ways, it still is but a revolution on the Internet changed that over a decade ago when Napster was invented. Even though Napster was determined to be illegal, it's effects on the music industry still linger to this day.

Prior to Napster, how often would we go to the store to purchase a CD after hearing a new song on the radio or on MTV? Chances are, you probably did that often and had to pay $15-$20 for the entire CD. Singles were sold at the time to but oftentimes, you had to buy the rest of the album to get the one song you wanted.

While this helped many musicians earn money, there were times you probably wondered why you spent $15-$20 for the song you wanted and the entire album. There were times you may have ended up with a CD with other songs you didn't care for that much and walked away scratching your head why you purchased it.

Napster changed this when individual songs could be downloaded for free. Instead of purchasing an entire album, you could download the song you wanted without paying a cent. This made it easier to find the music you wanted and was user friendly.

This revolution was not favored by most artists in the industry but created an online market for music. Napster was determined to be illegal and went by the wayside, however, it proved consumers were willing to find their music online.

One of the first companies to capitalize on this was Apple. Understanding the market was there, Apple created iTunes and the iPod after Napster crumbed from the lawsuits. Apple understood where the market was shifting and legalized Napster's model. Both continue to be a success and have become profitable for Apple.

In addition to iTunes, Pandora and other online music services have proven to be successful. Instead of tuning into MTV, consumers could use online services to find music and different artists. These services have continued to grow in popularity and MTV rarely plays music anymore.

Even though Napster didn't last as long as many predicted, it's effects still linger today. By creating an online market for music, Napster paved the way for iTunes and online music consumption.

Football Becoming Family- How Solon Football is a Huge Family

It's often been said sports bring groups of people together. Yes, watching the big game brings many people into someone's living room with the big screen TV but there is more to it than just ordering food and turning on the game.

Sports bring us together for a common cause, to give us something to look forward to, and to give us a common desired outcome. Cheering on a favorite sports team unites a group of people looking for the same goal (in all cases, a win).

Every fall, I am reminded of this with my activities surrounding Solon football. For the home games, I am in the press box announcing the games for Solon Educational Television (SETV). On the road, I take my cameras with me to take digital pictures of the action. Whether the game is at home or away, the same goal and unity among the Solon fans takes place.

My football family for the home games includes the Solon television crew and just about everyone in the press box. It always makes me smile driving to the games knowing I have an awesome crew and broadcast partner in Chuck Chokenea to work with. As a crew, we are united to provide the best broadcast possible for viewers later on (all games are on tape delay). The workers in the press box are always my halftime friends to talk to about the game. It is always a great feeling knowing you have family to work with the tape the game and to talk to at halftime.

Whether the game is home or away, the parents of the players become family as well. Interacting with the parents is one of my favorite things to do. I enjoy hearing their perspectives on the games, discussing the team, and future games with them. As the season progresses, these people become family as well and united for a common cause.

Some of the parents that have come out of their way to always support me have been Karla Terry-Crumbly (one of my best friends), the Lesko family, Matt Knight, the Camiener family, Svitlana Trofymchuk, and the Pohle family to name a few. These parents have always supported me and I thank them for their friendship and support.

In addition to the parents, those involved with the Solon Marching Band have become family as well. Band Director Ed Kline, Assistant Directors Mark Mauldin and Robert Luce, and Starlettes Coordinator Kelly Wilson are all friendly faces that are fun to talk to and see each and every game. The shows they provide at halftime are always incredible and talking music with them is always a pleasure. 

On the sidelines for the away games, my sideline buddies who have stood with me to take pictures include Doug Wolfe, Victor Heyman, Brandt Heinrich, and Hilliary Benjamin. All of these people are huge supporters of Solon football and I always know I still get to see these people when the team is on the road. These people have become close to me like family due to the common goal of cheering on Solon football.

Lastly, the coaching and those who support the coaches have become family as well. Head Coach Jim McQuaide, his son, his family and coaching staff have always been supportive of me and become united each year in helping the team grow and succeed. Athletic Director Mark McGuire is always helpful and supportive. It's always a pleasure to discuss football, family, and life with these people during spare moments.

Sports have proven to unite people and I am reminded of that each year with Solon football. When the season ends, it leaves me sad and happy at the same time. I am always said the the season ends but happy I will get to see my family again next fall.

More Tips for Obtaining Your MBA

One week ago, I wrote a post in regards to tips for obtaining an MBA. Since that post was published, I came up with some other tips to reach your goal of getting an MBA:

1) Do Not Leave Any Assignments Until The Last Minute

As an undergraduate, it's easy to procrastinate on assignments until the last minute. When working as a graduate student, procrastination will not be tolerated as much and could cost you a good grade in a class.

If handed an assignment, do not wait until the last minute to complete it. Take the time to put the effort into it to make sure it is professional, well thought out, and complete. As a graduate student, the professors will expect a higher level and quality in the work and leaving it until the last minute will show.

This is true for group projects as well. If you wait until the last minute to complete everything, your professor will notice and possibly your other classmates. During group presentations, it will be more apparent to notice which groups worked on the assignment all along and which ones waited until the last minute.

2) Give 100% and Nothing Below That

By working full time and going to school part time, it can make for an exhausting week. There will be times it will be tough to complete assignments but don't put in an effort below 100%. If needed, wait until you can put a full effort into the work. Cutting corners won't help you in the long run and could affect your grade later on in the course.

3) Study in Groups if Needed

I understand this may not be what everyone prefers but it can make a difference when a big exam is coming up. Studying for a hard exam can be exhausting for one person. Doing it as a group can help you cover the material more efficiently and help you retain it for the test.

4) Read The Wall Street Journal

One of the best ways to retain the information from class is to read through The Wall Street Journal and look for articles where the content of the material applies. Take the time to read it on an app or a hard copy each day. You may also have some classes where you have to research or present an article and this is a great place to start.

5) For Group Presentations, Learn the Art of Public Speaking and Dress Professionally

Chances are, you will have to do group or individual presentations throughout your MBA program. Public speaking can be intimidating but it is a skill worth learning. Dressing professionally will show your professor and classmates you are serious about the material you are presenting.

Public speaking is a skill that takes practice. If you do not have much experience with it, take time to read books, consult with others who do it on a regular basis, and find ways to improve. This is a skill you will need to have for inside and outside of the classroom. Understanding how to present your message effectively will help you in the long run.

Make sure you are also dressed professionally for the presentation. Don't show up in cut off jeans, sloppy clothes, or look like you just rolled out of bed. As a working professional, you will want to show your professor and classmates you take your appearance seriously. Dress as if you are presenting to a board of directors or your boss.

Tips for Getting Your MBA

You Want Your MBA – Here Are Some Tips to Get You To Graduation

Going back and earning my MBA was one of the best experiences in my life. It taught me more than just business. It taught me how to be a working professional and create a life for myself outside of work.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle being a working professional and part-time student at first. I often wondered how I was going to be able to juggle working all day and then homework and school at night.

Going back turned out to be easier than expected. It was an adjustment but once I got over that hurdle, it got easier to create study schedules and time to do homework.

For those of you thinking about earning your MBA, don’t let anything stand in your way to obtain that degree. The experience is incredible and helped me grow up and become an adult.

Below are tips for getting through to graduation:

Make Time to Study

You can always have the excuse you don’t have time to study. To keep up with the class content, make time to study. This can either be before work, after work, on lunch breaks, or weekends. Making the time to study will help you learn the content and keep up.

Your best study times will be on the weekends. Without having to work, take the time to get reading done, assignments, and go over the content. Make time each weekend to get through the content.

For Group Project, Don’t Become the Person No One Wants to Work With

You will be in several classes with the same classmates throughout your MBA program. As in most programs, group projects will be assigned.

Make sure you put your best foot forward and give the most effort towards these group projects. Don’t force your group members to do the work for you or pick up the slack. Most of your classmates will be working to get reimbursed by their employers after the class and a bad grade could put that in jeopardy.

If you gain the reputation for not pulling your weight, you may be on the outside looking in when people form groups in other classes. When it comes to getting closer to graduation, you don’t want to be the person no one wants to work with as you complete your final classes. Not doing your share creates headaches for everyone in the group and these people may not want to work with you inside or outside the class because of it.

If Problems Arise With a Group Member During a Project, Don’t Be Afraid to Discuss with the Professor

I am not saying be a tattletale or a snitch. If someone is not pulling his or her weight, don’t be afraid to discuss with the professor for the class. If this person is risking your grade in the class, there is nothing wrong by reaching out to the professor to discuss. Be professional about it and ask to discuss in private.

Show Respect to Your Classmates, Professors, and Other Campus Workers

Not every professor or classmate will be the same but show everyone respect along the way. You may not like every professor your have or every student you are in class with but showing these people respect will go a long way. Take time to get to know the people who work on campus and assist the students outside of class. This will go a long way throughout the program and you never know when you may need a hand from these people.  

I will admit to seeing instances in my program where certain people went out of their way to embarrass, criticize, or disrespect other classmates. It is not necessary to embarrass someone in front of everyone and if there is an issue, ask to discuss in private. Disrespecting someone in front of the class never goes over well. You may never know when you may need help from that person or anyone else in the class and that negative image will last a long time.

Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

Taking more than one class may or may not be easy to do depending on your work schedule or life outside of work. There is no race to be the first person in the program to graduate. Take one class at a time if needed and don’t overload yourself with too much to do outside of class. Take your time through the program and don’t be afraid of taking one class at a time.