New Direction(s)

After 4 years at Comcast SportsNet I am leaving the hectic (and fun) world of sports TV to pursue a new career path. Starting mid-January I'll be a Business Account Executive for Comcast Business Class. Before I came to Comcast SportsNet in 2008 I worked in Public Affairs & Production for Comcast Cable. I love working for Comcast and it was very important for me to stay 'in the family'. In many ways it was a very difficult decision to leave a dream job in TV, but I could not pass up such an exciting opportunity in an exponentially growing field. The job literally fell out of nowhere (thanks to a wonderful friend) at the same time that the show I've been working on since I started at CSN was coming to an end. The timing seemed like fate. And who am I to fight fate? The last day of Washington Post Live is this Friday, December 30th. My last day in the office is this Sunday, January 1st. I'll truly miss my CSN friends and family. I've met so many people since I started this job it is very difficult to say bye. At the same time I'm very excited to embark on this new life and career adventure.

I'm still working diligently to get through as many of my '30' as I can in the next 10 days before I turn 30! That being said I will continue to blog until I accomplish all 30, even if it takes me well into the next year. Life has been quite crazy recently, but I don't want to use that as an excuse to not get through all 30!

New life decade. New job. New opportunities.

"if A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut"
~einstein~

And Now Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Program...

Comcast SportsNet Celebrates Black History Month debuted yesterday, successfully! Our 9pm premiere got shortened because of a basketball game on our air, but the full-length (30-min) show aired in its entirety at midnight and will continue to air throughout the month. Plus you're in luck because it's ALL online at CSNwashington.com! Here's the link. Isn't technology grand?!

I haven't had much time for the '30 by 30' over the past week. In fact, I haven't done much except work, sleep and eat (the 3 necessities in my life). Ok, there was a little Super Bowl soiree, but other than that, all business. I put Twilight next to my bed in the hopes that I'd motivate myself to use what little "free" time I have to read. I'm still the same 4 chapters down as 2 weeks ago. With NFL season over and the BHM project complete I betta get back to the 30 grind asap.

On a related note... who wants to teach me to drive stick? I'll buy you dinner.

Less work. More play. Now...

Viewing Party For CSN Celebrates BHM at Busboys & Poets in DC!

For all you DC folks, Busboys & Poets is hosting a live screening (slash) viewing pary (slash) discussion of Comcast SportsNet Celebrates Black History Month this Monday (Feb 7th) at 9pm in the Langston Room. Yes, I'm shameless self promoting the project.  Dave will be lead the discussion and I'm sure anyone interested in the history of sports in DC (and in the US) will thoroughly enjoy.  Here's the blurb from the B&P events website: 

9 pm (Langston Room) - Come to a viewing party of the television premiere of Comcast SportsNet Celebrates Black History Month. The 1/2 hour television program is moderated by Nation Magazine Sports Editor Dave Zirin with a roundtable including Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Kevin Blackistone, and the man who desegregated the Washington football team 50 years ago this year, Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell. We discuss the ways - past and present - that sports and African American history have been intertwined. After the show, Dave Zirin will be on hand to answer questions about the broadcast. The event is open to the public. Donations to Teaching for Change will be accepted, but not required. The funds raised will be used to distribute copies of Zirin's documentary Not Just a Game to teachers and collect stories about how to use the film in the classroom. Your contribution can help make sure that the next generation knows about people’s history of sports that is missing from textbooks and the mainstream media.

Comcast SportsNet Celebrates Black History Month

I haven't discussed work much on this blog, which if you know me at all, is quite astonishing considering the amount of time I spend either working or talking about work! I'm the talent booker and segment producer for Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic (based in Bethesda, MD).  This blog has remained mostly work free because my '30 by 30' is more personal than professional.  That being said, I had to share with you this latest work venture. While a 'standard' week for me is spent focused on Washington Post Live with Ivan Carter (I book the guests and associate produce), I often work on other projects. My recent project was to co-produce a 30-minute Black History Month round-table focusing on the past, present and future of the black athlete in DC (and in the US). Last night, after months of planning, we taped Comcast SportsNet Celebrates Black History Month.

Here's our ridiculous panel:

• Dave Zirin (host) - Author, sports columnist & Sports Editor for The Nation
• Dr. Michael Eric Dyson - Georgetown professor, famed sociologist, radio show host & author
• Professor Kevin Blackistone - Sports Columnist and the Shirley Povich Chair in Sports Journalism at the University of Maryland
• Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell - The man who, 50 years ago, integrated the Washington Redskins (the Redskins were the last team in the NFL to desegregate). 

I was in awe of the conversation from the get-go. I can't lie, I got teary eyed about 6 minutes in. I know I'm biased, but trust me, you've gotta watch. The conversation was real and mind-churning, to say the least. We're putting the final touches on the program this week.  Comcast SportsNet Celebrates Black History Month debuts this Monday, February 7, at 9pm and airs throughout the month. Set your DVR! Here's a little sneak peek inside the studio...

Taping Comcast SportsNet Celebrates Black History Month