“Growing up doesn’t mean getting older”….”Drive,” Ben Rector
The end of the first half of 2021 brought a rush of career changes for people, as fiscal years ended and budgets opened up, or contracts ended, and some made the decision to move ahead and see what’s next.
I have written about the personal impact Marv Albert has had on me, and millions of others, during a career as a master storyteller, and his last game calling the NBA on TNT, one that sent the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA Finals was historic and fitting. Another nice accounting of Marv’s final run that included a tribute from Reggie Miller can be read here.
The end of June also brought an end to another longtime friend in the announcers chair, the longtime voice of the Sixers, Marc Zumoff, who decided to also call it a career. Mike Sielski had another solid read of Zoo’s career, taking us along the path that most didn’t know as to how he too became part of the fabric of Philadelphia’s sports soul for so many years. I had forgotten, and was reminded in the story, that Marc’s first three years calling the Sixers were the three years we spent on Philly working for the Sixers, and it brought back so many memories not just of that time but of all the times I saw Marc over the years in cities far and wide. A man of great grace, charm and empathy, he made an indelible print on a tough city and always brought a smile to my face whenever I heard his voice on the air, or when I got to spend a few minutes with him before a game.
Another key person in my personal and professional career also called it a day as the calendar turned to July 1. You probably don’t know Julio Diaz unless you are part of the great Fordham community, or played basketball at places like Harvard or Dartmouth, or got a chance to attend Fordham’s legendary golf outing at Winged Foot Country Club every year, but if you crossed any of those paths you knew Julio. Quiet and unassuming, Julio took on all the tasks no one wanted to do for decades at Rose Hill. You needed someone to coach the cheerleading team, Julio was the guy. Run promotions, there was Julio, call alums to rally around a cause, Julio was your guy. Needed to find a club on campus for fundraising, ask Julio. He was a fixer in a world where things were, and are constantly in need of repair. He never probably got the credit for all he did, but the impression and impact he made, subtly or overtly, on thousands of people he came across was so important and he really represented all that I personally felt was good about my alma mater, and my community, for decades. His tasks were never easy, he probably never got all the respect he deserved, but he was always there to be a doer for whatever needed to be done, and Lord knows we can never have enough doers or enough Julio’s, in the world.
And while that trio was calling it a career, three others of impact were moving on to what’s next. I have said a few times before that as you move on in this business, it becomes more and more that you root for PEOPLE, much less for teams, because it’s the people that make all we do worthwhile, and over time that collection of stories and souls keeps growing for the better. So I get excited when I see people I know both well and sometimes from a distance or through others, get that great, indelible shot at what’s next, or when they get the accolades they are so due because those on the outside never get the chance to really know all the hard work that goes into success.
It’s why I was SO excited when Mike Breen got the call for the Curt Gowdy Award at the Basketball Hall of Fame, or why I was so excited when one of our young former students gets a really cool job or an internship. People and Places…that’s what drives us. A few of those excited moments also fell into place at the end of June.
First came the word the Josh Rawitch, currently of the Arizona Diamondbacks, has been named the new President of The Baseball Hall of Fame. For those who don’t know Josh it probably passed along as not big news…yet. For those who do know Josh…a dad of young kids, fluent in Spanish, communications instructor at Arizona State, one of the most proactive and innovative big thinkers in communications in any business let alone sports, it was met with awe and most importantly joy. In recent years under former President Jeff Idelson, the Hall had made great strides on inclusion, innovation and taking all those amazing assets and stories outside the beautiful walls of Cooperstown. Now with Rawitch, the possibilities of extending the reach seem almost endless.
Then there was the appointment of another longtime friend, Jon Schwartz, as SVP of Communications, Marketing and Digital and Social Media for The Big Ten. Again maybe look at it and say…so what? But those who know Jon…a committed dad and husband and huge advocate for kids with disabilities, a professor at NYU, a curious leader who has always asked WHY? And WHY NOT? at places like NASCAR and the NFL…you get excited for the changes, positive ones, that can be brought to all areas of elite college athletic storytelling, with Jon in his new role.
Lastly, another end of the quarter change that got wide coverage in the sports business world was Scott O’Neil leaving his position at Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment. Scott has been a hands on builder of businesses for decades, and has probably logged more time on the Amtrak Acela from his jobs in New York and Philly (with Newark in the middle) than anyone not in Congress. His career is certainly not yet heading towards retirement, but he is having a great pivot this summer…going to Mozambique to build houses with his daughter as part of a church mission. That in itself is exciting for him on a personal level, with more to come on the professional level as well. Personally, I’m looking forward to reading his new book while he is in Africa.
So there you have it. One week…six people of impact who have impacted me, with exciting changes and bright roads ahead. All different paths, but all on the radar. Great examples of people and places, not really things, that get us excited and motivated.
Thanks to all, and we all look forward to seeing what’s next!
