Media Conversations with Maliik Cooper

Me and William Downing talk NBA hoops, his unique path to working with his hometown Bulls, and more!!

My guest for episode 9 is a man more than 15 years of experience working at ESPN, as well as the current Senior Producer for The Business Journal in Charlotte, North Carolina! On this episode we talk about his path to ESPN, the many celebrities he's worked with, his pride in the recent rise in importance of HBCUs as a graduate of Hampton University, and more! Here are the timestamps - :45 - Acie describes what his experience was like working being hired by and working at ESPN. 5:24 - Acie answers why he enjoyed his time at ESPN in contrast to the experiences of people I've met, including getting to go to 3 Super Bowls. 7:07 - Acie recalls his time working with Chris Berman “The Swami” on NFL Primetime. 8:36 - A conversation about all the big names Acie's worked with at ESPN, including the late great Stuart Scott, and Stan Verett. 12:10 - The overload of information on air talent keep track of on ESPN studio shows from a “shot sheet”, to a “rundown”, and the live cues from the producer. 17:05 - How in Acie's career he's worked more for shows that provide information that helps drive analysis, rather than the basic debate television that's seemingly taken over the industry, and the rise of social media. 19:15 - The decision for Acie to work for The Sports Business Journal at the beginning of 2019. 21:08 - The purpose of The Sports Business Journal's coverage of “who won in the boardroom”, the people who set up sporting events and how special their venues, facilities, and the like are. 23:30 - How helping the next generation of sports broadcasters through ESPN Camps Connections continually renewed his appreciation for working at ESPN. 26:07 - How Hampton head coach Joe Taylor created a culture where school came first, and made it abundantly clear that he valued intelligence in his players. Additionally he recalls how the conversations he had with his teammates were some of the most intellectual he ever had. 29:18 - The new age emphasis on showcasing HBCUs like Hampton University, and how Acie is glad it isn't just a fad without the substance of good intention. 31:12 - Acie's experience in the Hampton Univeristy Mass Comm department, being classmates with the president of MSNBC, and getting to do play-by-play for Hampton's basketball team. 34:33 - The interesting story of how moderating for an ESPN panel at Hampton University led to Acie's first job with ESPN out of college. 40:46 - How Acie's confidence in his abilities allowed him to take new opportunities without hesitation in his career.

My interview with the radio broadcaster for the 2016 National Champion Coastal Carolina Chanticleers! Here are the timestamps: :43 - What impressed Dr. Griffith about the 2016 National Championship Coastal Carolina Chanticleers who he did play-by-play for. 4:29 - Dr. Griffith describes his relationship with 26 year Coastal Carolina baseball coach Gary Gilmore. 6:15 - Dr. Griffith discusses the narrative that minor league baseball has subpar working conditions, speaking from his experience working in the minors. 8:57 - Dr. Griffith describes if the personal relationships you develop with minor league organizations changes the way he does play-by-play in comparison to calling college games. 10:46 - Dr. Griffith goes into the creation of his book “Meandering Through The Minor Leagues”, and the inspiration behind it. 14:35 - Dr. Griffith dives into the many different roles a minor league announcer has to perform, including advertising. Along with how people are sort of pressured into performing both roles. 17:44 - Dr. Griffith's path to becoming a professor at Francis Marion. 19:46 - Dr. Griffith talks about his goal of becoming an MLB broadcaster, but also finding fulfillment is the career he's had. 27:26 - The moment Dr. Griffith knew Communications would be the field he pursues in life. 31:21 - The best players Dr. Griffith's broadcasted live, including 3-time MLB all-star shortstop Rafael Furcal.

Me and Sports Business Journal Reporter Bret McCormick discuss the unique set of beats he covers, from sports business to national tennis. We also talk about his award winning project, “The Return Man” podcast, and his initiative to help the next man up in the journalism field. Here are the timestamps: :40 - Bret explains how his job at the Sports Business Journal keeps him busy covering the atypical business side of the industry. 5:00 - Bret defines “the fan experience” he covers for the Sports Business Journal, including a frictionless experience where fans can order everything from their seats. 6:50 - Bret covering tennis on the national stage, and his thoughts on America's lack of tennis coverage. 9:00 - Bret discusses the making of “The Return Man” podcast, a project where he covered in depth the life of Jim Duncan, the super bowl champion who tragically died supposedly via suicide. 12:48 - What makes Sports Business Journal feel the need to be different and cover sports like tennis? 14:56 - Why The Return Man project is the one Bret is most proud of in his career so far. 17:03 - How meaningful it is to cover stories locally vs. national entities like CNN and The Washington Post covering local stories. 18:52 - Taking the initiative to help the next man up in the communications field, including previous guest Brian Wilmer, and working at South Pointe High School. 22:10 - The people who helped Bret as he came up in his career, such as Gary Schwab, Harry Pickett, and Jamal Horton.

Me and Matthew Shealy discuss how he chose the career of sports journalism, the variety of skills he's acquired because of the responsibility his position comes with, and what makes Winthrop University's mass comm program special! Here are the timestamps // * :55 - Matthew talks about how when thinking about what his skills were inclined toward and what he'd enjoy, he chose to pursue a mass comm degree very near the start of college. * 2:22 - How getting an interview with former Winthrop basketball coach Pat Kelsey solidified his resolve in pursuing a mass comm degree. * 3:55 - How Matthew was able to set up an interview with Winthrop's head basketball coach. * 6:02 - How working for the Johnsonian and making connections made Matthew's first two years at Winthrop meaningful. * 6:45 - Some of the most memorable moments Matthew's had to cover in Winthrop athletics, and how he got to talk to Mayor Gettys amongst other important officials in Rock Hill. * 9:55 - The self rewarding work The Johnsonian presents. * 10:20 - The staff set-up of The Johnsonian weekly student news publication. * 14:10 - How the diverse responsibilities of being The Johnsonian's sports editor better prepared Matthew for his career. * 16:07 - What Matthew does in forms of journalism other than print, such as podcasting and social media. * 19:35 - The importance of being able to use the Adobe Suite as a modern content creator. * 21:44 - Being a member of the Student Media Poll, a recently started media poll of student journalists that rank the top 25 teams in college basketball and football. * 24:24 - How the 1 on 1 time you get, and the variety of opportunities Winthrop presents better prepare mass comm students for their careers; including tv studio practice, print, and radio broadcasting amongst other things.

My interview with the award-winning broadcast journalism student at the University of South Carolina, Finn Carlin! Here are the timestamps - 1:08 - Experience covering the man who protested that BLM are “racist thugs” on USC's campus back in 2020. 5:20 - How hard was it to remain journalistic and objective covering hate protestors. 10:22 - The controversial nature of 2020's news as a whole. 17:02 - How the staff of SGTV dealt with covering so many controversial news stories in 2020. 20:48 - How the courses of a broadcast journalism major at South Carolina aren't optimal your first two years, suggested improvements. 25:56 - What it was like taking the initiative to join SGTV and not wait for upperclassman privileges. 29:41 - Finn's motivation for starting the In The Loop Podcast. 34:14 - What made your internship at Seacrest Studios so meaningful? 38:02 - Finn's future work plans.

Me and multimedia journalist Brian Wilmer discuss his work on various different platforms, how he began covering Big South athletics, his changing career goals, and more! Here are the timestamps: * :47 - How Brian handles his hectic schedule and travel. * 5:05 - Where does your passion for covering the Big South conference come from? * 7:15 - Jimmy Gavin's collegiate journey of perseverance, Brandon Miller's maturity and humility handling injury. * 10:05 - Winthrop's ability to find ways to win games when they aren't shooting well. * 12:11 - Winthrop's identity and mindset under Mark Prosser. * 14:21 - Are Winthrop the favorites to win the Big South? * 16:06 - What was your relationship with former Winthrop head coach Pat Kelsey like? * 19:26 - How did you get into working for NCAAhoopsdigest, FBSchedules, and other outlets? * 24:11 - Brian explain's his college experience and why communications is the best major for anyone undecided. * 26:35 - Being in awe of other media superstars. * 27:44 - How Brian's personality affected his decision to get into radiology. * 31:09 - Brian's initial dream entering college. * 33:09 - Brian's work for house enterprise.

Timestamps - * (:33) - Charles McNeil's childhood. * (1:37) - Inspiration from meeting Marv Albert at a Knicks game. * (3:22) - Idols (Dick Schaap, Dick Enberg, Keith Jackson). * (4:26) - College, 1st job in radio, high school play-by-play in Charles County, began working with Sports News Network and BET. * (8:20) - Legendary “voice of HBCU sports” Charlie Neal gets McNeil to cover boxing for Sports News Network/BET. * (10:28) - Being asking by legendary college basketball coach John Thompson to do play-by-play at Georgetown games. * (15:31) - What did it mean to be asked by such a legend to take the Georgetown job? * (17:23) - Diversity Barrie's Charles McNeil broke. * (18:22) - Reaction to John Thompson's death. * (20:21) - Favorite moments as play-by-play man for Georgetown basketball. * (25:55) - Covered NBA games with Michael Jordan's Bulls, Reggie Miller's Pacers, Alonzo Mourning's Hornets. * (33:49) - Do you keep in touch with the celebrities you've come across during your journey? * (34:46) - Did you come across Steph Curry during your years covering the Hornets. * (36:32) - What did it mean for you to work with “voice of HBCU sports” Charlie Neal? * (41:41) - What makes a good color commentating partner? * (49:48) - Do you prefer radio or tv broadcasting? Working with Mike Tyson and Tony Delk. * (53:19) - Has social media making high school players celebrities affected your job? * (56:57) - Has the NIL and college players being allowed to be paid tainted college sports? * (58:57) - Final thoughts.

:37 - Alex coming to South Pointe High School to teach about professional journalism, and by local journalism is important. 2:18 - What sports and schools Alex covers for his job, Winthrop Men's Basketball as a part of Alex's job. 4:34 - Alex as a basketball fan, talks about how revealing it is and how it helps you learn a player's story / How you can see their personality. 5:48 - Winthrop star forward/center DJ Burns' background and description. 10:33 - Friendship with Brian Wilmer, writer for CollegeHoopsDigest, member of US Basketball Writers Association. Shouting from the Rafters podcast. 18:10 - Reaction to former Winthrop head coach Pat Kelsey's departure. 22:06 - Alex's upbringing. 26:20 - Maliik's motivation to pursue media. 28:16 - How growing up around UNC Duke and Wake Forest influenced Alex. UNC Duke game memories. 32:30 - Relationship with legendary UNC Basketball coach Roy Williams. 34:08 - Reaction to Roy Williams' retirement. Beginning of Winthrop basketball family. 37:07 - Thoughts on new UNC coach Hubert Davis. 38:10 - Finding work post college. 40:46 - Saving the world with local journalism. 42:14 - Maliik on importance of journalism/conclusion.

:27 - How hometown affected career pursuit / 2:32 - Discuss being Convergence Media Specialist @SPHS / 4:16 - Describes college experience @FMU / 9:02 - Talks about life after college / 15:16 - Favorite story written for Marlboro Herald-Advocate / 18:04 - Family not seeing professional vision / 24:16 - Was ESPN an “I Made It” moment / 27:16 - Broadcasting Idols (Musburger, Buck, Harlan, Madden, Summerall) / 34:28 - Memories of Madden and Summerall / 37:35 - Thoughts on Peyton & Eli calling games alongside broadcast crew / 41:59 - What makes Inside the NBA great / 46:17 - Charles Barkley's authenticity / 52:06 - Ernie Johnson & Inside the NBA's perfect chemistry / 1:00:17 - Tribal mentality of media and public in today's society