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Jason Barr (KGUN 9 ABC)
KGUN 9 (ABC) sports director Jason Barr won the 2014 and 2105 Edward R. Murrow awards for excellence in sports reporting, and he has a passion for storytelling. One memorable story was on the Desert Christian baseball team. The Eagles were trying to win a state championship for their late assistant coach Ryan Hanson, who unexpectedly passed away during the season while his father Mike was also an assistant for the team. Jason’s story on the 2013 Empire High School football team earned him an Emmy Award.
In his own words:
“I got my first taste of Tucson sports long before I arrived in southern Arizona. I was an intern at the ABC television station in Philadelphia while attending the University of Pennsylvania. Former Wildcat baseball star Terry Francona, a relatively unknown name at the time, was about to become the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The sports director asked me to go into the Chicago Bulls locker room after a game against the 76ers and interview Michael Jordan, who played under Francona with the Birmingham Barons. I was to ask Jordan about what type of manager Francona could be for the team. The problem was that the locker room was so crowded with reporters talking with Jordan, Dennis Rodman, and Scottie Pippen that I had trouble getting to Jordan.
I stood on a chair and found an opening. ‘Michael,” I shouted, ‘What type of manger do you think Francona will be?’
Jordan looked at me and said, “I’m trying to do my job.”
I suppose he meant answer questions about the win that night.
I waited a few more minutes. ‘Michael, We’re doing a half hour special on the Phillies upcoming season. Do you think Francona has qualities that will make him be a good manager?’
Jordan looked at me and gave a great answer. I learned about persistence and how to frame questions as I got my interview.
PAUL CICALA
DAMIEN ALAMEDA
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014 and has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here, on AZPreps365.com and on the pages of the Vail Voice and the Tanque Verde Voice. Contact Andy Morales at AMoralesMyTucson@yahoo.com
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