One of the great things about my job and working at RCN is our involvement in the local community. I’m very proud that RCN sponsors so many community events and our staff spends countless hours participating in charity functions and activities throughout the year. I was also thrilled to hear that our own “SportsTalk” show gets to play a small part in a fund raising event going on this summer with our shows from Buffalo Wild Wings in Whitehall, PA .
I also have the good fortune to speak with young students from the college level down through middle schools, discussing the broadcasting industry, sports of all sorts, and on working in today’s fast-paced media environment. One of my favorite experiences is being asked to participate in charity sports events…and I had that pleasure once again very recently, thanks to the Diocese of Allentown.
Each year they have a “Catholic Schools Week,” in which many events take place highlighting students’ abilities during the five–day stretch. I participated again this year in their annual “celebrity” (and I DO use that term lightly) basketball game, playing against up-and-coming basketball talents—as well as teachers and administrators—from their Sacred Heart Middle School. Our team was comprised of local head basketball coaches, including new Dieruff Head Coach Joe Jarjous (who was raining-in three-point shots all afternoon), politicians and media members.
In addition to getting great exercise (the other team seems to gets better every year), I get an opportunity to get a sneak peak and do some scouting for the not-too-distant-future Central Catholic high school team—a program we see regularly on our RCN-TV broadcasts. I know the Vikings had a good year this past season, but this year’s group of young athletes might just be the best collection of basketball players I’ve seen at this event. If the players I saw continue to work hard and play like they did against us (I know, we’re not the toughest competition in the world), Central Catholic will definitely be in the conversation of league favorites in the next couple of seasons.
More importantly, this event is an opportunity to meet young people up-close-and-personal and get to talk with them. It’s wonderful to hear students’ great achievements from their teachers and administrators, and to interact with a new generation of wonderful people. Here are some of the photos from this year’s event.
If, by chance, you’re looking for photos of me, or video of my “highlights” (and I also use that term EXTREMELY lightly), I’m saddened to report that those files were destroyed by a rapidly moving fire outdoors behind my office. And the final score is not important and should take a back seat to just enjoying the experience (yes, we lost). Besides, it’s more important that we focus on the young people here in today’s blog entry…right?
In all seriousness, my thanks to Principal Jim Krupka and his wonderful staff and colleagues within the Diocese for inviting me each year and for making us visitors always feel very welcomed at their school. It is great to see our young students getting together, screaming their lungs out for a meaningless game, and being involved in a community event. I charge everyone to try to get outside this summer and get involved in your community…whether it’s participating in a charity event, or just going to see a show or youth sports event in the upcoming months. It does feel good to see positive young people doing something they love.
Don’t forget, we’re always on the lookout for outstanding achievements by today’s young people and big events that you would like the public to hear about. Send us an email to RCNSportsTalk@rcn.com and we might just include your comments on our “ShoutOut” segment on an upcoming “RCN SportsTalk” episode!
