An Opportunity for Bob

Bob has gained wonderful experience working for the Durham Bulls these past two seasons, and indeed over the past 5 years.

The Durham Bulls are a AAA minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. (The Bull are owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, based in Raleigh. They also own Fox50, a FOX TV affiliate in Durham and WRAL, a CBS affiliate in Raleigh. So technically Bob works for Capitol Broadcasting. See THIS LINK for more information on the Durham Bulls.) Bob started with the Bulls back in 10th grade, or the summer between 9th & 10th... I am not certain. Anyway, he started basically as a volunteer. He was member of an Explorer Post; Durham Post 50.

The Explorer program is a Branch of the Boy Scouts of America. It is Co-ed program, and it focuses on career exploration. There are many various Explorer posts around the country with a wide variety of career focus; from Firefighting to Aviation, Law enforcement to Agriculture. (See THIS WIKI LINK or THIS BSA LINK for more information on the BSA Explorer Program).

Post 50, sponsored by Capitol Broadcasting Company, is a Television Broadcasting post. In a nut shell, Post 50 members produce, direct, operate the cameras, create game time graphics, edit.... every part of live broadcast of every Durham Bulls home baseball game except the on air announcements. (see THIS LINK for more information on Post 50, you might even see a picture of Bob there.)

For the first 3 years or so, Bob, as I mentioned, was an unpaid post member. He caught the eye of the post leaders and the Bulls organization early his first year; His dedication, demeanor and talent earned him high regard. He specialized in "Camera 4", the long range camera out in center field. The most difficult camera position due to the long range lens and well the nature of the game.

Last year Bob was hired by Capitol Broadcasting to assist in the commercial side of the game time activities. The position was part time and did not pay a whole lot. But he had his APPLE job and he loved working at the park. His responsibilities basically entailed running around the ballpark with a handheld camera, filming the inter-inning on-field promotions and such during home games. He also helped the Post/CBC liaison with the general operation of the post and game time production issues. By season's end Bob had proven himself a valuable asset to the Bulls organization and the Capitol Broadcasting family. He got involved in editing highlight packages for the local TV affiliates and tried his hand at some promotional clips for the Bulls.

This season, ending this week, Bob was given a raise and more responsibility. He has been given much of the duties, at least operationally, of the Post liaison. He is responsible for organizing post members, assigning responsibilities, and generally making sure the broadcasts go off without a hitch. In addition, this year the bulls are not only broadcasting on the local Fox HDTV Cable channel but they also broadcast live on the internet and, as I understand it, have broadcast a few games to stations in the opponents home towns as well. (See THIS LINK for the broadcast schedule.) He continues to produce/edit highlight packages for the local stations and helped produce a commercial, advertising ESPN night at the bulls.

As much as I complain and rant about Durham Public Schools, for all it's problems, it 'did good' by Bob. Bob's interest in broadcast and film started in high school. He was part of a "Centers of Specialization" program Durham has that allows each High School to provide specialized curriculum programs in specific vocational fields; Medicine, Biotechnology, Animal Sciences, ROTC, Engineering/Technology.... Each school has it's programs. (See THIS LINK for more on this program) Bob entered the Multimedia studies program at Jordan HS. In his case it was not so much he had a great interest in the field at the time, but it was a vehicle for him to attend Jordan HS, arguably one of the top schools in the system, as opposed to Hillside HS, the HS in our district, traditionally an under-achieving school. The Multimedia program at Jordan not only sparked Bob's interest in the areas of film and broadcast but he learned of the Bulls program through the HS and he gained basic knowledge in film and broadcast that helped him to excel in the field. As flawed as the Durham schools seem at times, this specific program was a success in Bob's case.

BSA and the Post 50 experience has provided Bob with invaluable experiences and opportunities. He has broadcast experience many professionals cannot claim. Heck, the post earned an EMMY Nomination. He has build a strong relationship with the Bulls organization and caught the eye of FOX50 and Capitol Broadcasting executives as well. Fox 50 has called on Bob a couple of times to help with their broadcast of the Durham Christmas parade and other local events. He has even received inquiries about working the Carolina Hurricane Games; something he did not persue becuase of school.

Most recently, this week in fact, Bob has been offered a job in Greenville, with a local TV station doing editing for the nightly news. From what I gather it is a full time position. 3-11 Monday through Friday. I do not know much more about it than that. And I don't know if Bob will accept this job offer. As proud and excited as I am for Bob, I have expressed my concern to Bob that it would be VERY difficult for him to work 40 hours and be a full time student. As much as he needs a job and as awesome as this opportunity may seem, Bob will have plenty of time to work. And going back to school one down the working path is difficult at best (believe me). With that said, I will support him in what ever his decision is. After all he turns 21 on Monday!

Good Luck Bob!