[JK37]

Seems to me many of you are considering this position solely from the perspective of p-b-p broadcasting. But think, guys: If it's a full-time position, then that aspect will only be about 35% of the responsibilities.

By that logic, and what all of you are saying, on-campus candidates could only be qualified for, at most, 35% of the job requirements.

[Cider Jim]

No one has mentioned SCAR's name??? He's an LU alum, a former varsity athlete (with his own ETSU dunk on You-Tube), and has broadcast for MASN! If he's interested, Mrs. SCAR should send JB some cookies.

[olldflame]

Regardless of the % of time spent on the air or in directly related duties, I think it would be naive to think that the person who will be known as the "Voice of the Flames" will not be chosen based primarily on their play by play ability. Whatever other duties they may have in order to justify a full time salary would almost certainly be secondary, and something which could be learned on the job if necessary.

[JK37]

Regardless of the % of time spent on the air or in directly related duties, I think it would be naive to think that the person who will be known as the "Voice of the Flames" will not be chosen based primarily on their play by play ability. Whatever other duties they may have in order to justify a full time salary would almost certainly be secondary, and something which could be learned on the job if necessary.

I highly doubt they're looking for someone who will be "learning on the job".

[olldflame]

Do you actually think we are looking for an experienced marketing or PR guy who just happens to do play by play? I doubt it very much. Obviously, if 2 candidates are similarly experienced and talented behind the mic, if one is more qualified in other areas it would be a big plus for him. I just find it hard to believe that the primary factor in choosing who to hire will not be on air ability.

[JK37]

The person hired will fulfill both roles equally. I was simply pointing out that p-b-p will not be the only factor, nor the only primary one. For this reason, everyone should understand that this will be an outside hire.

[bigsmooth]

i believe in hiring from within if you have a qualified person, and Nick Pierce fits that bill. He loves LU, has plenty of experience calling games, and obviously knows the LU culture. you could also put Jerod Brooks in that mix as well, as he and Nick worked together for years, but not so sure he would want to leave his sweet gig in sports radio in the triangle. in the end i feel like LU will hire from the outside, but we do have qualified guys in house.

[JK37]

i believe in hiring from within if you have a qualified person, and Nick Pierce fits that bill. He loves LU, has plenty of experience calling games, and obviously knows the LU culture. we do have qualified guys in house.

Again, in my opinion, that is a short-sighted perspective of what the position will entail. We're talking about a full-time job consisting of administrative, public relations, and marketing responsibilities in addition to primary p-b-p activities. Just as there is much more to being a head coach than coaching and recruiting, there is much more to this posiiton than simple calling of games.

To carry the analogy further, if Dale Layer announced his retirement tomorrow, would Jason Eaker be at the top of your candidate list? Great guy, developing niche as an excellent recruiter, loves LU, understands the culture - but, no, he wouldn't be your top choice initially because there's so much more to the job than that.

we do have qualified guys in house.

Yes, LU does. But not you nor anyone else here has yet named one who meets all of the qualifications for this position.

But, don't be disheartened. Such individuals are out there, they are interested, and they especially meet the short list of qualifications you delineated.

[olldflame]

I'm surmising from your posts JK37 that you are privy to some information which many of us are not. That's fine. All I can say is that as a fan and alumni, I want a top notch play by play man, and I could care less how good he is at PR or marketing. If they hire someone who isn't as good behind the mic as Nick Pierce, I will not be a happy camper, and I feel quite sure I am not alone in that sentiment.

[JK37]

Not privy - just understanding and experienced in the field. I, too, am an alum. I want more from my alma mater than just a high-quality p-b-p person. But understandably, that probably stems from greater perspective.

No worries; I digress.

[flamesfilmguy]

Nick pierce. thats who i want. PBP IMO should be the main thing they look for.

[thepostman]

I get that the job will entail more then just pbp...but from where I sit there are people in house that could fill the other rolls they are looking for...I am biased on this issue as well..and somebody brought coaching up...If we had a vacancy and there was somebody with the talent to lead the team then I would be all for it...its not always about the big splash..we tried to make a big splash with a certain basketball coach and we saw where that got us...I personally believe that if they went with somebody like Nick then they could build a new foundation of tradition on the broadcasting side of things...there is no guarantee of that happening by hiring some guy just trying to get a pay check from a DI school...

Now, If I take out my own personal relationships out of the equation I can see where they would want to look outside and get a seasoned pro...but personally I disagree with not at least looking inside first at the talent they already have...

[SuperJon]

Nick pierce. thats who i want. PBP IMO should be the main thing they look for.

There is a lot more in this than just that. They'll be releasing the details in a few days of what exactly they're looking for (I know in general stuff, not specifics) but it's more than simply play-by-play.

Example: Matt Hogue at Coastal. He's the Voice of the Chanticleers but he does A TON of stuff for that school other than that.

[Sly Fox]

OK, you guys have me intrigued. I am curious to see the full job description. The responsibilities will have a great deal in deciding the direction the school is looking.

At Baylor, they turned the Voice position into a full-time gig by creating a bunch of other programming out of the Athletics Department. There are a number of different directions the school could take by creating a new position.

[Cider Jim]

OK, you guys have me intrigued. I am curious to see the full job description.

Is Sly loosening his cowboy hat to possibly throw it into the ring?

[SuperJon]

There have been at least 50 applicants for the job already and it hasn't even gone public yet (meaning the job description and all of that hasn't been released).

[Cider Jim]

I wonder how many broadcasting majors that LU is graduating this year.

[Sly Fox]

Based on my view of the broadcasting world right now, I wouldn't be encouraging many to follow that path.

Sportscasting is a relatively small business. Once word is out on the street it spreads quickly.

[bigsmooth]

had i known about the qualifications for the new job, i would not have posted what i did JK....this job will entail sales from what i have been told and is totally different from what the job is now. so my view at the time was not short-sided, and as SJ said there is a lot of interest. even if nick does not get the job, there will be room for him to grow and to be the voice of the olympic sports IMO.

[olldflame]

Job descriptions are easy to change. If they are looking for anything other than the best basketball/football pbp guy available who is a fit at LU, they are being short sighted and putting the cart before the horse. Doing pbp at a high level is not an easy thing. Those who can do it are going to have abilities which can be used by the AD in a wide range of areas. If they can find someone who is as good or better than other applicants behind the mic and also has the specific experience in sales or whatever else they are looking for on their resume, that's great. If there is someone else who is a better pbp man, then they need to toss the job description, find out what he can do, and write a new one.

[SuperJon]

Job descriptions are easy to change. If they are looking for anything other than the best basketball/football pbp guy available who is a fit at LU, they are being short sighted and trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. Doing pbp at a high level is not an easy thing. Those who can do it are going to have abilities which can be used by the AD in a wide range of areas. If they can find someone who is as good or better than other applicants behind the mic and also has the specific experience in sales or whatever else they are looking for on their resume, that's great. If there is someone else who is a better pbp man, then they need to toss the job description, find out what he can do, and write a new one.

You couldn't be more wrong about this. While I don't want to be "that guy" and hint to announcements coming that can't be talked about yet, that's the case in this situation.

[Sly Fox]

Uh, we all know who "that guy" is. I'm a big boy and can take it.

As soon as the formal job description is released then the discussion will be able to be moved forward. Until then, it is not really fair to the Athletic Department to judge their plan.

[jcmanson]

We're going to be starting a coaches TV show. This new hire will be hosting that show.

[SuperJon]

We're going to be starting a coaches TV show. This new hire will be hosting that show.

You sure about that?

[jcmanson]

As sure as I need to be