Media Credentials

As a kid growing up in Miami, Alex Gimenez dreamed of working in baseball. That dream carried him to Cornell University, where he faced a crossroad: pursuing a career in broadcasting, or choosing a path that would lead him into a front office. Now the Manager of Major League Operations and Professional Scouting for the Boston Red Sox, Alex recounts how his love for the game developed and how his entrepreneurial spirit left a legacy for aspiring broadcasters who followed him at Cornell.

My guest on this episode is a 7-time Emmy winner as a sports journalist. A three sport star in high school, he played college football and later had a brief stint in minor league baseball. Today, he teaches media and production at the college level while also hosting a nationally syndicated podcast and running youth sports camps, and is prominently featured in a recent Netflix documentary. By any measure, that's a full life. Now, what if I told you he was born without legs? Dave Stevens is my guest on Media Credentials.

Previous episodes of "Media Credentials" have covered directing live studio shows (with Eric Rutledge) and producing live events (with Ray Jacobs). Now, a new combination -- directing live events. Peter Esposito started his broadcasting career at a small college in New England, moving to an entry-level position at ESPN, and then joining Golf Channel at the network's inception. Golf has taken "Spo" all over the country and around the world as he "paints the picture" for the viewers at home. We talk about his upbringing in a tiny corner of Massachusetts, his introduction to the big leagues in Boston, his path to Bristol and then Orlando, and the nuances of directing golf versus other sports.

My guest on this episode is a hockey guy, but like most hockey guys I've met in my career, he's also a golf guy. Ray Jacobs is the senior coordinating producer for the National Hockey League's production arm, a staff job he took in 2023 after 20-plus years on the road as a freelance golf producer. We touch on that familiar theme -- freelancing versus staff -- and delve into his experiences at golf's major championships and the Olympics, and why he ultimately left the road life. He explains how remote production has taken some of the fun out of sports TV, and turns the tables to ask me a few questions. Plus, memories of our time together on the Korn Ferry Tour, and some of the sneaky great cities we got to visit.

With over 40 years of experience in the NFL and nearly 30 years with the PGA Tour, Rick Odioso has collected some stories. He's the Media Director for the Valspar Championship, while also freelancing as a statistician for the NFL on FOX, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Tampa Bay Lightning. As the former PR Director for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rick managed media relations for luminaries like Doug Williams, John McKay, and Steve Young; as a statistician and spotter, he's shared the booth with legendary broadcasters like John Madden, Pat Summerall, Dick Stockton, and Dewayne Staats, among others. Fun stories here about all of these characters, plus an examination of our industry and advice for newcomers.

Kristi Hujik is a certified health coach and Senior Producer for PGA Tour Radio on SiriusXM. We shared newsrooms together for over two decades at both ESPN and Golf Channel, a bizarre overlap in our careers that neither one of us can truly explain. Kristi talks about her journey in sports media, starting at a local radio station in Pennsylvania and continuing to Bristol and Orlando. We discuss common connections and random pathways, how a phone call or a chance encounter on an airplane can alter the direction of our lives. I also dedicate this episode to a former ESPN colleague who had a significant impact on both Kristi and me.

For many in sports media - particularly those who work behind the scenes - freelancing is a way of life. Staff jobs are often hard to come by, even more so in the post-Covid 'gig economy.' Julie Hoddy forged a long career as a freelancer in sports television before pivoting to a corporate role outside the realm of sports. We talk about her transition from road to office, her fondest memories of gigs at Golf Channel and the Big Ten Network, among others, and her advice for women who might be contemplating a career in media.

Nathan Strack is the Production Designer for the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club. Pinehurst is one of the most prestigious golf complexes in the United States, home to nine golf courses and the host site of the 2024 US Open. Nathan talks about his experience there, how his golf background meshes with his skills as a graphic designer, and why Pinehurst is the ultimate golf destination.

Dan Pearson is a veteran sports PR executive with experience in college athletics, Arena Football, the XFL, baseball, and more. A longtime Central Florida resident, he continues to work in semi-retirement as a sportswriter for local weeklies. Dan is a storyteller, and offers sound advice for those considering a career in sports media. Great stories here of the raucous days of the Orlando Predators and memories of the Boardwalk and Baseball theme park.

Marc Daniels has been the Voice of the UCF Knights for nearly 30 years, and hosts a daily radio show on Orlando's 96.9 The Game. We discuss the explosive news in college football regarding conference realignment, and how sports other than football might be affected. We also delve into UCF's entry into the Big 12 this fall, and the impact it will have for the athletic program.