A friend of mine, Marc Hoenig, was just starting his radio broadcasting career for the Cuero high school basketball team which is about 90 miles from San Antonio. This happened when I started college in 1995. Marc was aware that I had some statistician experience in high school and he offered me a job as a statistician. The pay was very little and would come from his own pocket. I accepted right away; it seemed like a fun opportunity and something new. I didn’t mind that there would be games during the weekday.
After the basketball season ended, Marc did play-by-play for high school football games. I didn’t know a lot about the football rules and stats but I picked it up as I watched the games. While I was working with Marc, I met Bobby Stautzenberger. Bobby is the owner of RJS High School Sports which is affiliated with the Texas Sports Radio Network. Together, they broadcast high school baseball, basketball, and football games on the radio and the internet. Soon after I met Bobby, I was officially on the payroll for RJS High School Sports as a football statistician.
I have gotten better and better each year and am overjoyed when other radio crews request to work with me or when other radio crews breath a sigh of relief when they see me.
I worked for ESPN radio in 2001 for the Alamo Bowl. I also worked with Jeff Watts Production for a state championship game in 2006 that was broadcasted live on the internet only.
Fifteen years later, I am still with Bobby and TSRN!!!!
Who else can say, “I am 34 years old and get paid to watch high school football games.” What a wonderful life!!
My next post will be how I got started in television.
