Sean Hamilton's Blog

My enthusiasm for broadcasting is rooted in my passion for sports. Since my middle school days, I aspired to become the play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees. In other words, Michael Kay was keeping the seat warm until I was graduated from college. I have been a sports fan my whole life and I am avidly devoted to the New York Yankees. Consequently, life became very interesting in our home during baseball season because Mom is a Yankee fan and Dad roots for the “Sawx”. Through family “debates” and attending ball games, I became fascinated with game strategy. While viewing games at home, I assumed the role of a play-by-play announcer.


Undoubtedly, my childhood experiences influenced my desire to pursue a career in broadcasting. I became fascinated with great play-by-play announcers like Bob Papa, Jim Kaat, and Vin Scully, who provided listeners with enough details and allowed the game to breathe. When our family attended the 2003 All Star Game Fanfest, I had the opportunity “to audition” as a sports broadcaster. I recorded demos for WGN’s, “This Week in Baseball”, and the “Fox Sports’ Report”. I was hooked; I knew that I could spend the rest of my life in the broadcast booth, that is to say: “See ya, Michael Kay!”.


As a Communications major at Manhattan College, reality set in. Michael Kay was not leaving anytime soon. Fortunately, my communication courses, as well as my internships provided me with valuable hands-on-experience and the opportunity to immerse myself in Radio and TV production. I recognized that what goes on behind the scenes in broadcasting is also very exciting.


In Sport Public Relations, G. Clayton Stoldt advises: “Sport public relations is predicated on the employment of basic skills.” (Stoldt 8) Stoldt emphasizes that writing, presentations, desktop publishing, new media, and interpersonal skills provide “the foundation” for “more advanced skills”. (Stoldt 8) Based on Stoldt’s five key skill sets, my self-evaluation is as follows:


As an undergraduate, Manhattan College accentuates a liberal arts education to challenge and to develop a well-rounded individual. Consequently, many of my communication and liberal arts courses required extensive writing in essays, research papers, etc. The assignments were challenging and focused on critical thinking. Based on personal experience, I rate my writing skills above average. Throughout my education, writing was a focus and I learned the importance of revising and that there is always room for improvement.


Both individual and group presentations played an integral role during my Manhattan College experience. In many of my liberal arts courses in religion, psychology, and literature, as well as communication courses stressed the importance of presentations as personal and career development skills. I rate my presentation skills superior because I developed strong research skills and how to organize persuasive arguments. I am very comfortable and enjoy speaking in front of a group. Just give me a stage! I suppose it is fitting that my last name is HAMilton.


My experience with desktop publishing dates back to high school-in particular, with PowerPoint. In my Web Design course at Manhattan College, we extensively used DreamWeaver-CS3 and Photoshop. As a Control Room Assistant at RNN/FiOS1 News, I enhanced my editing and audio skills by using Final Cut, Adobe After Effects, DPS Velocity, Nexio Remote, and Easy Edit. Given the significant amount of my hands-on experience, I rate my desktop publishing skills above average.


Through my experience at college and at work, I had the opportunity to strengthen my skills and to be comfortable using New Media. I consider my skills above average because I learned many forms of New Media. However, with the fast pace of technology, there is always room to improve and update my skills.


At times I may be shy, I am constantly working on improving my interpersonal skills. I enjoy interacting with others and working as a member of a team. I believe my interpersonal skills are average. As a lifelong learner, I am always seeking to grow and open to suggestions for improvement. One of the most important aspects of self-evaluation is to avoid complacency. There is always room to grow.


Although my dream job is a career in Sports Broadcasting, Stoldt’s five skillsets are valuable for many careers because they are transferable skills. Given that we live in a digital age, skills in: writing, presentation, desktop publishing, and new media can open up many doors for career opportunities. Coupled with interpersonal skills, one can have a very successful career.


I selected the New York Yankees as my brand because of their rich history. Probably the fact that I was brainwashed by my mother during my younger years also plays a role.


Let me explain. Mom introduced me to the Yankees during the dynasty years. Hence, my closet has lots of Yankee apparel and my mother’s classroom was nicknamed “Monument Park North”.


Undoubtedly, during the George Steinbrenner’s years, the Yankees mission was to win. In 1998, the New York Yankees had their winningest season of the Steinbrenner era. George Steinbrenner’s most memorable quote confirmed that the Yankees’ mission was to win. Steinbrenner stated: “Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next.” (www.si.com)


The Yankees’ history began in 1903 when Frank Farrell and Bill Devery purchased an unsuccessful Baltimore franchise and moved it to New York. The club became known as the Highlanders. Pinstripes became the official uniform in 1912 and the Highlanders became the Yankees in 1913 and moved to the Polo Grounds, home of the National League’s New York Giants. In 1923, the Yankees officially opened Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. (www.yankees.com)


The Yankees early success is largely attributed to “Murderer’s Row” which featured the immortals Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. The Yankees continued to be one of the most successful franchises because of their history of winning and their signature uniforms. In his article “A Lesson in Consistent Branding from the New York Yankees”, Matthew Montoya notes the Yankees: “. . . have kept the same look. . .They held on to the pinstripes even through the brown and orange uniforms of the absurdist 1970’s”. Montoya goes on to say: “Love them or loathe them, it’s hard not to respect them, as they wore those uniforms to 27 World Series (Championship) wins.” (http://blogs.constantcontact.com/consistent-branding/) Julia McCoy agrees that because of the Yankees’ history of success, they have “brand awareness in their followers”. (https://expresswriters.com/how-the-yankees-are-killing-it-with-brand-awareness/) That is to say, people want to be associated with winners; fans are eager to spend money on merchandise which bares the interlocking NY.


The Yankees product line includes team apparel, collectibles, and accessories. The services the Yankees provide include: Legacy Clubs with benefits for season ticket holders, stadium tours, and special promotion days.


The Yankees take very seriously their commitment to a strong relationship with the community. They sponsor a Sport Management Mentoring Program, Harlem RBI Field of Dreams, HOPE Week, and Green Team Initiative. The Yankees’ Community Outreach Program supports programs in: the arts, education, recreation, and healthy lifestyles. The Yankees demonstrate a strong commitment to the military through donations to the Wounded Warrior Project and Military Appreciation Day. (www.yankees.com) In addition, they support the Silver Shield Foundation by funding the education of the children of fallen police officers and firefighters in the Tri-State area. (www.silvershieldfoundation.org) 


The Yankees have maintained strong relationships with corporations who sponsor promotion days and community outreach endeavors. Clearly, the Yankees want to increase advertising revenue and promote the Yankees’ brand.


The Yankees also recognize the importance of relationships with the media. Under the leadership of Jason Zillo, Executive Director of Communications and Media Relations, the Yankees established yankeespressbox.com: “. . . a one-stop resource for all Yankees media relations materials. Documents are posted to the site the moment they are available. . .” (2015 New York Yankees Official Media Guide & Record 427) Clearly, Zillo recognizes that his number one goal is: “. . . to generate favorable publicity and minimize unfavorable publicity”. (Stoldt 9) In addition, as the architect of HOPE Week, Zillo hit a PR homerun.


The Yankees brand has been perceived positively by the public because of their 27 World Series Championships. The Yankees like to sell their history of winning with pride, pinstripes, and tradition. They assume the fans want to purchase Yankee gear because they feel they belong to a winning team. During the George Steinbrenner years, fans were confident the Yankees would always uphold their commitment to winning. However, recent events seem to indicate that the Yankees organization’s dedication to winning has lessened. Currently, they are committed to a youth movement and also remaining competitive at the same time.


This new philosophy received mixed reviews. Some argue that it is time to get younger. Others assert they do not want to pay high prices for Triple-A talent and they predict a strong decline in attendance and season ticket sales if the Yankees do not have stars on the team. Clearly, the Yankees are taking a gamble. Will they jeopardized their historic brand? We’ll have to stay tuned!


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