Well folks, I hit the road for a brief two day trip to Peoria, IL to broadcast the collegeinsider.com finals between Bradley and Old Dominion.
For the three fans of the blog, the game will be on Fox College Sports at 8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific and 3:00 in Hawaii. What time it will be on in Morocco is beyond me as I have no idea what time it is now in Morocco.
I don't know who is looking forward to this more: Myself or my brother in law Matt. I just got off the phone with Matt who said to me, "Chris, I can't thank you enough for doing this. I have your mother and your sister looking forward to Bradley against Old Dominion!!" Matt, anything I can do to help is my pleasure.
The game itself should be a good one. Bradley is an outside shooting team that plays a motion offense that will be going against one tough defensive team. Look for a tight game, one in the low 60's or so.
Well folks, time to hit the road..........
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The USBA Chronicles
Well, as I posted a post or two back, I have been named the Director of Communications for the newly formed United States Basketball Association. Over the next few months, I will be blogging about the experience of getting into professional sports from the beginning. This should be a trip and a half.
Yesterday I met with the coaching staff and the Director of Operations for the Jacksonville Admirals. Coach James Easton is an interesting guy whom I think will do very well with this franchise. He has the enthusiasm, has the passion, and knows the game very well. I think teams are going to have to expect to run and run as coach will emphasize defense and a run and gun type of offense. It will be interesting to see what teams will be able to keep up with the Admirals and to see if the scoreboard explodes with the amount of points he wants to put up on the board.
My role with the Admirals is going to be as their broadcaster and kind of a consultant of sorts. Since I am in the area, I have offered to help them out as much as I can. I would like to see the Admirals be the "model" for the way USBA teams run their own franchises. Do I know everything about running a team? Hah!! I have common sense knowledge, but if I can help Coach Easton and his staff out, I am more than happy to do so.
As far as the league goes, it is fascinating to see what it takes to get a league off the ground and the amount of money involved. I saw the budget yesterday and there is money allocated for every teeny, tiny little thing. It got down to how much is allowed for concessions, basketballs, officials, security, and again many things I never would have thought of.
This is going to be an education as I have never done media relations, nor have I ever worked directly with a league before. I have been in the broadcast business, but that is a far cry from what I am doing now. I crank out press releases, develop plans as to how to teach players to deal with the media and fans, and even taking calls about tryouts from agents and players. In a sense, I feel like I am back in school again which is a great thing. I am learning things every ten seconds and am anxious to get to the teaching part of my job. Of course I can't wait to broadcast the first game, but that is something I have done before. The thought of learning something new every day is a great experience for me.
One thing I have learned is about just how dumb players can be. I had a guy call me about the Jacksonville tryout and he actually asked me, "Will there be a drug test?" Now to me, this was a huge red flag and I told him so. Nothing like letting a representative of a league know one MIGHT be on drugs. I guess he needed to know if he needed to clean the body out or not.
More later as I need lunch.........
Yesterday I met with the coaching staff and the Director of Operations for the Jacksonville Admirals. Coach James Easton is an interesting guy whom I think will do very well with this franchise. He has the enthusiasm, has the passion, and knows the game very well. I think teams are going to have to expect to run and run as coach will emphasize defense and a run and gun type of offense. It will be interesting to see what teams will be able to keep up with the Admirals and to see if the scoreboard explodes with the amount of points he wants to put up on the board.
My role with the Admirals is going to be as their broadcaster and kind of a consultant of sorts. Since I am in the area, I have offered to help them out as much as I can. I would like to see the Admirals be the "model" for the way USBA teams run their own franchises. Do I know everything about running a team? Hah!! I have common sense knowledge, but if I can help Coach Easton and his staff out, I am more than happy to do so.
As far as the league goes, it is fascinating to see what it takes to get a league off the ground and the amount of money involved. I saw the budget yesterday and there is money allocated for every teeny, tiny little thing. It got down to how much is allowed for concessions, basketballs, officials, security, and again many things I never would have thought of.
This is going to be an education as I have never done media relations, nor have I ever worked directly with a league before. I have been in the broadcast business, but that is a far cry from what I am doing now. I crank out press releases, develop plans as to how to teach players to deal with the media and fans, and even taking calls about tryouts from agents and players. In a sense, I feel like I am back in school again which is a great thing. I am learning things every ten seconds and am anxious to get to the teaching part of my job. Of course I can't wait to broadcast the first game, but that is something I have done before. The thought of learning something new every day is a great experience for me.
One thing I have learned is about just how dumb players can be. I had a guy call me about the Jacksonville tryout and he actually asked me, "Will there be a drug test?" Now to me, this was a huge red flag and I told him so. Nothing like letting a representative of a league know one MIGHT be on drugs. I guess he needed to know if he needed to clean the body out or not.
More later as I need lunch.........
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Yuck.......
To the few fans I have out there, my apologies for not blogging more, but I have had my arse kicked by a nasty sinus infection which has had being at the computer a challenge. Other than my head killing me and not having a voice for three days, here are the updates:
1) Good job by UNF in their defeat of then sixth ranked Florida State. It was a great ballgame in Tallahassee, and I had a blast working with UNF SID Eric Scott. The man tossed a few zingers out there which kept even me on my toes.
2) On March 31st, I will be broadcasting the finals of the Collegeinsider.com post season basketball tournament for Fox Sports College. This will be my first national gig and I am very appreciative for the opportunity. Yes Mom, I will be in a shirt and tie.
3) The ABA is still a joke with the "playoffs" set to start this weekend. Teams who have barely played have "qualified" for the tournament including the newly formed New York Knights. The Knights have played a grand total of ONE game and somehow qualify for the playoffs. So much for the rule that says teams have to play in 70% of the scheduled games to make the playoffs. Another one from the insane world of Joe Newman.......
That is all for now, I am taking a nap.
1) Good job by UNF in their defeat of then sixth ranked Florida State. It was a great ballgame in Tallahassee, and I had a blast working with UNF SID Eric Scott. The man tossed a few zingers out there which kept even me on my toes.
2) On March 31st, I will be broadcasting the finals of the Collegeinsider.com post season basketball tournament for Fox Sports College. This will be my first national gig and I am very appreciative for the opportunity. Yes Mom, I will be in a shirt and tie.
3) The ABA is still a joke with the "playoffs" set to start this weekend. Teams who have barely played have "qualified" for the tournament including the newly formed New York Knights. The Knights have played a grand total of ONE game and somehow qualify for the playoffs. So much for the rule that says teams have to play in 70% of the scheduled games to make the playoffs. Another one from the insane world of Joe Newman.......
That is all for now, I am taking a nap.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Some self-promotion and my condolences
Munson named USBA Director of Communications
The United States Basketball Association (USBA) has announced the hiring of Chris Munson as their Director of Communications. Chris will also be responsible for broadcast duties for the Jacksonville Admirals.
Chris is the former Sports Director for ESPN Radio Vermont and has written for Our Sports Central, US Basket, the Vermont Times, Vermont Guardian and d3football.com. Currently Chris lives in Jacksonville, Florida and is a broadcaster on Atlantic Sun Network coverage of University of North Florida athletic events.
Munson says of his hiring, “This is a tremendous opportunity for me. This is a great step for me in my professional career and will allow me to work directly with a professional sports league.”
USBA president Duane Jenkins says, “Chris brings a strong knowledge of the media and how to work directly with them. His experience in the field of journalism and minor league basketball will be a tremendous asset to the USBA.”
About the United States Basketball Association (USBA)--- The USBA is a mid spring through early summer professional basketball league. League offices are in Atlanta, Georgia. The USBA is an independent league and does not have affiliations with any other league. Players can be catapulted to enjoy further opportunities in the National Basketball Association Developmental League, as well as be exposed to other professional basketball leagues from around the world. The league age requirement is players be 20 years or older.
For more information on the league, go to usababall.com. For media inquiries, please contact Chris Munson at chris.munson8@gmail.com
This is going to be a big challenge for me and one I am very much looking forward to. This is a very natural progression in my career and it is something I have always wanted to do. Cross one more thing off the bucket list.......
My condolences go out to the family of Barre-Montpelier (VT) Times Argus sportswriter Pete Hartt who died suddenly yesterday afternoon. Pete was a wonderful man who had a smile, a joke, and wisdom when it seemed to be needed the most. Pete, you were too young and you will be missed. Thanks for all of your help when I first broke in with ESPN Radio Vermont, and thanks for welcoming me into the fraternity of Vermont broadcasters and sportswriters.
The United States Basketball Association (USBA) has announced the hiring of Chris Munson as their Director of Communications. Chris will also be responsible for broadcast duties for the Jacksonville Admirals.
Chris is the former Sports Director for ESPN Radio Vermont and has written for Our Sports Central, US Basket, the Vermont Times, Vermont Guardian and d3football.com. Currently Chris lives in Jacksonville, Florida and is a broadcaster on Atlantic Sun Network coverage of University of North Florida athletic events.
Munson says of his hiring, “This is a tremendous opportunity for me. This is a great step for me in my professional career and will allow me to work directly with a professional sports league.”
USBA president Duane Jenkins says, “Chris brings a strong knowledge of the media and how to work directly with them. His experience in the field of journalism and minor league basketball will be a tremendous asset to the USBA.”
About the United States Basketball Association (USBA)--- The USBA is a mid spring through early summer professional basketball league. League offices are in Atlanta, Georgia. The USBA is an independent league and does not have affiliations with any other league. Players can be catapulted to enjoy further opportunities in the National Basketball Association Developmental League, as well as be exposed to other professional basketball leagues from around the world. The league age requirement is players be 20 years or older.
For more information on the league, go to usababall.com. For media inquiries, please contact Chris Munson at chris.munson8@gmail.com
This is going to be a big challenge for me and one I am very much looking forward to. This is a very natural progression in my career and it is something I have always wanted to do. Cross one more thing off the bucket list.......
My condolences go out to the family of Barre-Montpelier (VT) Times Argus sportswriter Pete Hartt who died suddenly yesterday afternoon. Pete was a wonderful man who had a smile, a joke, and wisdom when it seemed to be needed the most. Pete, you were too young and you will be missed. Thanks for all of your help when I first broke in with ESPN Radio Vermont, and thanks for welcoming me into the fraternity of Vermont broadcasters and sportswriters.
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