Guy Rudiger

W/R#7 TA#1
COMM231-0301
April 23, 2013
A#3 Profile

Introduction:

A. This story is about a sportscaster who used his undergrad experiences at the
University of Maryland to jumpstart his career.

B. Focus statement: (Nut) University of Maryland alumnus Chick Hernandez
reports comprehensive sports coverage daily on a number of notable networks.
An anchor for Comcast SportsNet and NBC Sports, Hernandez rose to the top as
one of the prominent Mid-Atlantic anchors through his hard work and loveable
personality.

C. Reader should care because his story shows the value of hard work and a
confident mindset.

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may be a taiget auuience foi this stoiy. Athletes shoulu be inteiesteu
because of Beinanuez's fielu of woik with athletes while jouinalism stuuents
can take away gieat auvice fiom his stoiy.


E. News Values
Human interest- People will be interested in this story because it shows a
success story from an initially unlikely person.
Celebrity- Chick Hernandez is well known for his achievements on TV and
radio as well as his reputation with the Maryland and D.C. sports teams

F. Type of soft lead
Narrative lead
o Begins with the past and transitions to the present
o Sets scene
o Foreshadows Hernandezs success before story begins


(more)






Rudiger. Introduction. 2.

G. Readability Statistics:
Main bar:
SEO character count: 32
Word count: 794
Words per sentence: 17.1
Sentences per paragraph: 2.3
Passive voice: 2%
Grade level: 10.2
Side bar:
Word count: 240
Words per sentence: 14.9
Sentences per paragraph: 2.0
Passive voice: 0%
Grade level: 9.4

H. Tweet: Follow @CHICKatCSN @Comcastsportsnet for updates on live
newscasts and the latest sports stories. #anchorman

###

























Anchored in with Chick Hernandez
Chick Hernandez gives a play-by-play of his success story
The story about how a prominent sports anchor solidified his spot in history

University of Maryland alumnus Chick Hernandez reports comprehensive sports
coverage daily on a number of notable networks. An anchor for Comcast SportsNet and
NBC Sports, Hernandez rose to the top as one of the prominent Mid-Atlantic anchors
through his hard work and loveable personality.
As the only three-sport athlete at Montgomery
Blair High School, Chick Hernandez recalls entering the
University of Maryland as a shy and reserved young man.
It was not until he took on his position as the athletics
chairman of the Sigma Chi fraternity as an undergrad that
Hernandez began to truly break out of his shell.
He reminisces on the feeling of responsibility and
pressure of having an entire house dependent on his
leadership and judgment to lead the fraternity to the all-
sports title.
University of Maryland alumnus Chick
Hernandez reports comprehensive sports coverage daily
on a number of notable networks. An anchor for
Comcast SportsNet and NBC Sports, Hernandez rose to the top as one of the prominent
Mid-Atlantic anchors through his hard work and loveable personality. His extensive
knowledge of local teams granted him numerous honors including three Emmy Awards.
(more)

Chick Hernandezs transformation
allowed him to prosper in his career.
Source:
http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/b
io/chick-hernandez/
Hernandez undoubtedly believes that his undergrad years with Sigma Chi are the
reason for his current success. His newly acquired assertive and confident behavior
helped land him his first job at the WMUC radio station. I basically walked in and told
them that I was their new sports director and there was no deliberation because I was
their guy, Hernandez said.
Learning the ropes

During his collegiate years, Hernandez landed his first true anchor job calling the
NCAA March Madness Tournament in Cincinnati for the Maryland Terrapins.
Hernandez remembers his first TV experience hosting a cable show on the local cable
access channel called Courtside with Chris, which included hosting a show with the
former Maryland womens basketball coach Chris Weller.
His job on Courtside with Chris
earned Hernandez his next job calling the
play-by-play for the University of
Maryland mens basketball team for the
1987 and 1988 seasons. Hernandez felt
that this experience early on proved to be
pivotal to his success later in life.
It was pretty cool being a college
kid to be going to different colleges and calling the games for the Maryland Terrapins,
Hernandez said. Luckily, I soaked up all the advice and experience I could.
(more)

Hernandez endures the daily pressure of
keeping the shows exciting and lively for
viewers. Source:
nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com Photo
Credit: NBC Sports
Out of college, Hernandez worked at Fox News for six years before being called
up to be the face of the network for Comcast SportsNet. Having gained prominence in
the Mid-Atlantic region, Hernandez still felt nervous in joining Comcast, a company that
started from ground zero upon his hiring. The day in 2001 that Comcast SportsNet aired
for the first time marked the monumental
takeoff of Hernandezs career.
The daily grind
The most challenging aspect of my
job is probably just making the day to day
grind and making sure the material is fresh
and entertaining, Hernandez said. When
going on stints where Hernandez anchors the
show every day, he feels the challenge from producers.
Hernandez received a mere three minutes of airtime each segment with Fox
Channel 5 news before transitioning to Comcast and having control of up to two hours of
airtime depending on the show he hosted that day. Juggling airtime between Comcast
and NBC Sports, the company that Comcast recently bought, proved to be a challenge for
Hernandez.
Balancing time is difficult Hernandez says, but the opportunity to try new ideas
for shows has become an option from the chaos.
A segment that Hernandez recalls experimenting with called Chicks Challenge
raised viewership, as Hernandez would compete against athletes in their respective sport.
I got talked into mounting and riding a 2,000 lb bull once and the event resulted in a
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-Receiving S Emmy Awaius
-Neeting Tigei Woous anu
Nichael }oiuan
-Nameu Washington B.C.
Spoitscastei of the Yeai
-Being a leau anchoi foi both
Comcast SpoitsNet anu NBC
Spoits

bruised spleen seconds later, Hernandez recalls. Opportunities like Chicks Challenge
have given Hernandez the prominence he aspired to gain early on and have yielded many
benefits.
At Last! Success!
Hernandezs hard work has not gone unnoticed. This year, the National
Sportswriters Association named Hernandez the DC Sportscaster of the Year, an award
that cowers in the shadows of his three Emmy Awards.
Aside from all of his material awards, Hernandez felt that his greatest
achievement was having a couple approach him and explain how they both enjoy
watching his show. Just knowing that you are getting through to your audience is a
tremendously gratifying experience, Hernandez said.
Hernandez prides himself on his ability to balance his career with his family.
Hernandez, who married his high school sweetheart, is a father of two sons and a
daughter and feels that his family is his greatest success.
Since his first leadership role in college, Hernandez gained tremendous notoriety
in the Mid-Atlantic region and flourished in a competitive field. To this day, Hernandez
recalls the hard work his single mother put in to raising him and strives to exemplify that
exact work ethic.
Trying is allowing yourself to fail.
###






The perks
Chick Hernandez recollects meeting his favorite celebrities

Chick Hernandez excelled in sports throughout his youth and nearly landed
himself a scholarship playing football on the collegiate level for Temple University. His
height, however, prohibited him from achieving this aspiration. Had I grown six inches
my senior year, Id be playing wide receiver in the NFL, Hernandez said.
Instead of playing alongside the professionals he admires, Hernandez reports on
their stellar achievements. While he wishes
that he was in their shoes, Hernandez still
enjoys the benefits of lounging with and
interviewing the athletes.
Hernandez has come in contact with
numerous professional athletes and has
managed to make lasting relationships with
some of the greatest of all time. Tiger Woods
and Michael Jordan rank high up on the list of famous athletes that Hernandez has met.
Tiger and I get along really well and do great TV together, Hernandez said.
Hernandez frequently covers the PGA Tour and has repeatedly interviewed Tiger Woods.
I feel that he opens up more with me than other reporters.
Hernandez also remembers his comical interview with NBA star Michael Jordan
and each discussing his own opinion on proper treatment of baldheads.

(more)

Chick enjoys a round of golf with
Gary Williams and Bob Ehrlich.
Source:
http://www.csnwashington.com/sport
snetWashington/search/golf/nationwi
de-tour-golf.htm
Hernandez loves the excitement behind the scenes where he and his family get to meet
the numerous athletes he interviews.
Its a wild experience meeting some of these athletes, but its often times the people who
arent famous that touch you and make the job gratifying.
###







































Guy Rudiger
W/R#7 TA#1
COMM231-0301
April 23, 2013
A#3 Background

! Sources:

Chick Hernandez (Primary Source)
301-503-2456
Silver Spring, MD
Funywon@aol.com
Interview #1
30 minute phone call on April 17, 2013
Interview #2
15 minute phone call on April 22, 2013

! Secondary sources and fact check:
Career and timeline:
http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/chick-hernandez/
http://www.midatlantic.comcastsportsnet.com/pages/chick
http://www.csnwashington.com/article/chick-hernandez-sportscaster-year
Social Media:
https:twittei.comCBICKatCSN
http:www.linkeuin.compubchick-heinanuezSb6a81S
https:www.facebook.compagesChick-Beinanuez16122S689u9S




###














Guy Rudiger
W/R#7 TA#1
COMM231-0301
April 23, 2013
Storyboard

Interactive Storyboard
Chick Hernandez


Click the picture of
Chick to read about his
life and youth.

Chicks journey began
when he joined the
Sigma Chi fraternity at
the University of
Maryland.

Click the pictures to
read about Chicks
undergrad years.


Comcast SportsNet
and NBC Sports are
the two primary
networks Hernandez
anchors for.

Click the links to read
about Chicks
accomplishments with
Comcast and NBC
###








http://www.csnwashington.com/show/158451/episode/103696

If you click on the link, it takes you to a website with a
past sports update with Chick Hernandez.
Chicks likeable
personality is evident
in his reporting
techniques.

Clicking on the video
sends you to a link of
Chick reporting.

Click the picture to see
clips of Chick
interviewing one of his
favorite athletes, Tiger
Woods.





Comcast SportsNet:
See Chick report
alongside a reporter in
the field covering the
PGA Tour.

Guy Rudiger
W/R#7 TA#1
COMM231-0301
April 23, 2013
Background blog
http://wrudiger.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/a3-blog/

Prepping
The Wall Street Jounral formula was very useful in organizing and writing the profile on
Chick Hernandez. The formaula is as follows:
Wall Street Journal Formula
! Start with a soft anecdotal lead
! Move from specific to general
! Follow with a nut graph and why the story is important
! Use backup material for support
! Arrange points topically or in chronological order
! Circle Kicker or future action ending
The Chapter 17 of the Rich textbook was a great tool in preparing questions and
techniques for the interview with Hernandez. I used tips and advice from Alan Richman
to be sure as to not end the interview early or upset Hernandez.
Here are some of the tips I used.
! Research the subject prior to the interview
! Get background information from the subject
! Figure out the turning point in the subject's
life
! Find a pattern
! Use visuals
! Locate the subjects social media:
! https://twitter.com/CHICKatCSN
! http://www.linkedin.com/pub/chick-
hernandez/3/b6a/813



It was tough to get a hold of Chick initially because of his busy schedule. When he
had days off from work he was incredibly easy to contact and interview, though.
Because both calls were via telephone, I was able to listen to the phone conversation on
speakerphone while the conversation was recorded using my laptop.



(more)


Chick and Gary Williams co-host
a segment together
Source:
http://www.csnwashington.com/s
portsnetWashington/search/golf/n
ationwide-tour-golf.ht m
Rudiger. Blog. 2.

The Setup
G-O-A-L Method:
! Goals: Chicks goal is to continue to succeed and further his career as a leading
sports anchor. He hopes to acquire more awards and broaden his knowledge of
more than just the Washington and Mid-Atlantic sports regions. Chick wants to
continue providing for his family and use his career to help ensure safety and instill
success in his own children.
! Obstacles: The competitive nature of the sports broadcasting field is the main
obstacle for Chick. The changing roles of players and constant updates of athletes
make it difficult for anchors to stay informed and on top of the top stories.
! Achievements: Chicks achievements vary whether it was through becoming the
lead anchor for Comcast SportsNet, landing his spot on NBC Sports, winning three
Emmy Awards or the birth of his children.
! Logistics: Chick grew up in Silver Spring, MD and attended the University of
Maryland where he was an active member in the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He planted
his roots as an undergrad and developed his skills to become a well-known anchor
for Comcast SporsNet and later NBC Sports.

###