Issue Date: 2/12/07
Teaching behind the mic
By Eric Bennett
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Jon Chelesnik is not good at math. He doesn't know how to change the oil in his car. He can't even cook. All that Chelesnik knows in life is sports and he has found success in the broadcasting business.
After his tenure as an ESPN Radio host, he has turned his life long passion into a hands-on course at Palomar.
Growing up, Chelesnik's life revolved around sports. It was the only thing he knew. He said he would watch games on television every chance he had, listening to legendary announcers along the way.
Chelesnik grew up in Del Mar and attended Torrey Pines High where he took part in baseball, football and basketball.
His love and skills in basketball landed him at Kansas State, where he was a two-year player for the Wildcats. After realizing basketball would not turn into a career, he decided to focus on studying radio and television.
"I wanted to think of another way to get paid to go to games," Chelesnik said. "Being a sportscaster seemed to be the best thing for me."
The first job Chelesnik got after college was in a small Kansas town. During his time there however, San Diego frequently was on his mind.
Chelesnik thought about his home and a potential job at what was then know as XTRA Sports Radio 690 and finally decided to go home after three years.
While working at XTRA Sports Radio he received an opportunity to audition for ESPN Radio.
He said the audition for ESPN was not as nerve wracking as one would think because as Chelesnik puts it, he already had a job and experience to fall back on.
"I still would have been gainfully employed," Chelesnik said [if he wasn't hired]. "The toughest part was staying awake for the show. It aired live between 2 and 6 a.m!"
As Chelesnik started working at ESPN, he said he realized it wasn't as easy as some make it appear.
"It was hard work," Chelesnik said. "But it was some of the most fun I have had in my career."
Knowing that he had reached a certain area of the industry that few would ever get to, he said he would refer to a small note everyday reminding him not to take his job for granted. The note read "Working for ESPN is a privilege. Never take it for granted."
After his tenure as an ESPN Radio host, he has turned his life long passion into a hands-on course at Palomar.
Growing up, Chelesnik's life revolved around sports. It was the only thing he knew. He said he would watch games on television every chance he had, listening to legendary announcers along the way.
Chelesnik grew up in Del Mar and attended Torrey Pines High where he took part in baseball, football and basketball.
His love and skills in basketball landed him at Kansas State, where he was a two-year player for the Wildcats. After realizing basketball would not turn into a career, he decided to focus on studying radio and television.
"I wanted to think of another way to get paid to go to games," Chelesnik said. "Being a sportscaster seemed to be the best thing for me."
The first job Chelesnik got after college was in a small Kansas town. During his time there however, San Diego frequently was on his mind.
Chelesnik thought about his home and a potential job at what was then know as XTRA Sports Radio 690 and finally decided to go home after three years.
While working at XTRA Sports Radio he received an opportunity to audition for ESPN Radio.
He said the audition for ESPN was not as nerve wracking as one would think because as Chelesnik puts it, he already had a job and experience to fall back on.
"I still would have been gainfully employed," Chelesnik said [if he wasn't hired]. "The toughest part was staying awake for the show. It aired live between 2 and 6 a.m!"
As Chelesnik started working at ESPN, he said he realized it wasn't as easy as some make it appear.
"It was hard work," Chelesnik said. "But it was some of the most fun I have had in my career."
Knowing that he had reached a certain area of the industry that few would ever get to, he said he would refer to a small note everyday reminding him not to take his job for granted. The note read "Working for ESPN is a privilege. Never take it for granted."
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