It's been a long time since I was a sophomore in college. But I do remember that somewhat fateful day. I was working at OHRD in Bascom Hall (Office of Human Resource Development for those of you keeping track) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It was a slow day, and I was trying to figure out how to get out of a recent slump I felt myself falling into...
With the addition of snocross into the then-growing-in-popularity X-Games, this ex-snowmobile racer / broke college student was trying to figure out how to get out to Aspen and take part in the games.
A little digging revealed that they hired 'runners'. Like interns, but more like, well, runners, these aspiring tv production interns did all the tasks you'd expect. Coffee, copies, and running (at elevation, and sometimes up a mountain). It didn't matter, I was set on finding a way out there.
I dug up ESPN's phone number and called. And called. And called. I was denied 4 times, thus changing my story each time I received a little more information until I was finally hired to work for SMT (the scoring and timing people).
For the next 6 years, I attended winter and summer x games. Typically, you'd find me digging trenches in the snow and burying wires, or on a headset trying to find some norwegian snowboarder's family and friends so when they wiped out, the cameras would know who to pan to. I even got to play 'red hat' - the guy between the tv crews and the starters at the race. I'd get the "TV is clear!" call, give the signal to the race starter, and he'd drop the flag. A lot of responsibility for a wisconsin farm boy.
Fast forward and I can honestly say that that little phone call has done me more good than most of my college education. I was able to learn from the best, network with people I had no right hanging out with, and enjoy every minute of it. Even if I didn't want a career in TV, it was a worthy experience and helped shape my life still today. I made friends with some great, great people, and saw first hand how big of an ass someone can be when they stop smiling for the cameras. All life lessons, all priceless to me.
Along the way, I've played guitar with Shaun White, skied with Sal, had dinner with the guys from The Fray, and tested the body's limits to Red Bull, alcohol and sleep depravation. But some of the best memories are those where I learned who I was, what worked and what really didn't.
This past weekend, I went back to X, but more as a spectator. I even took my dad and brother. We got hooked up with some behind-the-scenes passes and it was a blast to watch dad get excited about the same stuff I always had. While action sports tend to skew a bit younger, I honestly don't see myself ever growing tired of them, and my dad is living proof that anyone can appreciate the beauty and awe of some of these sports. If you've never had the chance or even considered it, get to Winter X, and prepare to be amazed. If you're a broke college kid, and not afraid to dig trenches to get to where you want to go, let me know, and I'll put you on the same career path that worked so well for me.
0 comments:
Post a Comment