Christian Hackenberg "The Quarterback Of The Future"

After the NCAA handed Penn State Football some of the worst sanctions in college football history (four-year postseason ban and forfeit 40 scholarships over four years) from their role in the Jerry Sandusky scandal numerous media outlets gave the team no chance in terms of recruiting.  ESPN Recruiting Nation writer Mitch Sherman stated last summer, "The house is coming down after the worst scandal in the history of college athletics. Don't expect many recruits to stay around and collect the rubble."

A year later and Penn State recruiting has not missed a beat, mostly because the Number 1 overall quarterback in ESPN's Class of 2013 recruiting rankings stuck with the Nittany Lions.  Christian Hackenberg was recruited by several major programs including South Eastern Conference powers Alabama and Florida.  He could of played under Nick Saban and competed for a National Championship for 4 years.  Instead he might only see 1 bowl game if he plays his freshman year.  Though for Hackenberg there is more to college than a bowl game.  He choose Penn State mainly for the great education and Head Coach Bill O'Brien.  Hackenberg is a special 18 year old kid.  He showed great leadership skills keeping the Class of 2013 together after the sanctions and he says all the right things to the media.

Nittany Nation is beyond excited for Hackenberg's arrival this summer.  After witnessing what O'Brien accomplished with last year's former walk on quarterback Matt McGloin, the sky is the limit for Hackenberg.  He will be competing for the starting job against junior college transfer Tyler Ferguson.  Ferguson has a slight edge going into camp this summer because he has been with the team since January.  But if Hackenberg can learn the playbook quickly, we could possibly see him lining up under center at Met Life Stadium on August 31 verse Syracuse.

About The Author

Thank you for visiting the Nittany Lion Report (NLR).  The NLR is a blog for die hard Penn State Football fans, focusing on the team and recruiting. 

The editor of the Nittany Lion Report graduated from Penn State in 2011 and has followed the team since 2003 as a fan, student, and employee. He studied Telecommunications with a focus in Television Production.  While attending Penn State he worked for numerous sports teams and production companies including the Penn State Football team from 2009 – 2011.  He shot ENG on the field at Beaver Stadium and in the locker room for post game interviews. 

Currently he works for a large sports television production company as a video editor and will be graduating with his Master's in Interactive Communications from Quinnipiac University in Spring 2014. 

Stay connected and follow the Nittany Lion Report on twitter @nittanyreport 

My Resume

Nittany Lion Report

Education:

Masters in Interactive Media, May 2014 University, Online GPA: 3.8

Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications, May 2011 University GPA: 3.1

Skills

·      Video Editing	·      Quantel, Final Cut Pro	·      ENG Camera Shooting
·      ENPS ·      HTML, CSS, WordPress	·      Adobe Photoshop, Flash ·      Microsoft Office	·      FTP Software ·      Social Media

Experience:      

T.V. Production Company(Sports)   November 2012 - Present

Content Editor

·       Serve as a video editor for all shows editing highlights, features, and montages to be aired on live, national television

·    Serve as a mentor and trainer for new employees in the Content Edit Department

T.V. Production Company(Sports)   August 2011 – October 2012

Associate Operator

·       Served as a video editor for all shows editing highlights, features, and montages to be aired on live, national television

·     Executed Audio Assist responsibilities for all shows including facilitating communications between control room and studio, setting up mics and IFBS, and ensuring talent was properly mic’d for live, national television productions

Soccer Company              May 2011 – July 2011

Technical Video Intern

·       Shot and edited all referee video features for the company website

·       Shot and edited highlights, features, and montages at the Development Academy Playoffs and Finals for the company website

T.V. Production Company(Sports)  January 2011 – April 2011

Content Edit Intern

·       Served as a video editor for all shows on several networks

·       Developed an understanding of Content Edit’s Standard Order of Procedures

T.V. Production Company(Sports)   May 2010

Video Production Intern

·       Worked with the P.T.I. team to actively contribute story ideas

·       Served as a production assistant in control room during the shows and assisted editors during pre-production

T.V. Production Company(Sports)  January 2010 – May 2010

Video Production Intern

·       Edited a weekly basketball show

·       Assisted with utility and production support on select games

 Athletics        August 2009 – May 2011

Broadcast Operations Intern

·       Managed aspects of the Jumbo Tron Production for football and basketball games

·       Shot and edited highlights, features, and montages for the Athletics' website

Soccer Company           January 2009 – May 2009

Video Production Intern

·       Directly supported the Video Production Coordinator with shooting and editing video for the company website

References: 

Marty – Content Edit Supervisor

860.766.7166

Mo – Associate Supervisor

860.766.2606

Lee - Video Production Coordinator

443.520.1335

Why Me?

Choosing a specific pseudonym/blog for this course was easy for me.  The idea of a Penn State Football blog came to my mind instantly.  I have been a die-hard fan of Penn State Football since 2003 and I thought it would be exciting to start blogging about the team.  My background will help me cover this topic. I worked for the team for 2 years while I attended Penn State and now I currently work for the a Sports Production Company.  I am surrounded by College Football news and experts at work, I occasionally hear of breaking news hours before the public.  Also, I can share stories and give the viewer a sense of what it is like to be on the field at Beaver Stadium during a game or inside the tunnel before the team runs out onto the field.  This summer I will cover training camp, recruiting, and preview each game on the 2013 schedule.  I can't wait to start blogging! We Are!

Short Autobiography - My career

I would not be where I am today without the help of United's Video Production Supervisor, Lee.  During the fall semester of my sophomore year at Penn State I applied for the Spring 2009 Video Production Internship with United.  I had no prior internships and my first production course was not till my junior year.  I knew it was a long shot, but I applied anyway.  After applying for the position I sent Lee several emails stating how much I wanted the internship.  Lee eventually offered me the position, he said I showed the most interest out of all the applicants.  I moved that semester and took online courses so I wouldn't fall behind.  I gained invaluable experience at United and it jump started my career in video production.  Following this internship I interned for Penn State Athletics, 2 Soccer teams, and 2 Sports T.V. Production companies.  All of these internships eventually paid off.  A few months after graduating Penn State in May 2011 I was offered my dream job.  Last November I was promoted into the Content Edit Department(Video Editing) and I am enjoying every second!           

First Post

Hi all!  I recently rewrote my cover letter for job applications in the future.  Here it is!

To Whom It May Concern:

I am a 2011 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelors degree in Telecommunications, currently taking classes in Quinnipiac University’s Online Interactive Media Masters Program.

I have worked in sports video production for over five years in PA, DC, Chicago, and Connecticut, supporting live sports broadcasting for major sports television networks. I have worked alongside and assisted top-level supervisors and producers with video editing, audio assisting, content editing for websites, live interviews, filming, and pre and post production support.

I currently work as a Content Editor for a Sports Production Company editing highlights, features, and montages for a large scale of sports shows. I also mentor and train new employees. In addition to video editing, I also serve as an audio assist, assisting the Audio Operator with setting up mics and IFBS.

Previous to working as a Content Editor, while in college at Penn State, I interned with the Penn State Athletic Department as a Broadcast Operations Assistant, shooting ENG at games, during post game interviews, running cameras, and replay for the Jumbo Tron Production at Beaver Stadium and the Bryce Jordan Center. I also interned for the local PBS affiliate, editing the weekly Penn State Woman’s Basketball show, Courtside with Coquese. During my last semester at Penn State I was selected to intern for a Sports Production Company's Content Edit Department, editing a variety of sports shows, maintaining an efficient workflow, and developing a solid understanding of the Content Edit Department’s standard operating procedures.

Outside of State College, I held internships in DC and Chicago. In DC I interned with a professional soccer team, under the direction of the Video Production Supervisor, shooting ENG from the sidelines at games and in the locker-room for post game interviews and editing the content for the team website. I was also given the chance to intern with the show Pardon The Interruption, contributing daily story ideas for the show, assisting the editors in pre-production, and observing the director and technical director in the control room during the show. In Chicago I interned with another soccer team as a Technical Video Intern.  I was responsible for shooting and editing the Referee Week in Review as well as shooting and editing for Studio 90. 

My current position, the several internships I have held, and both my undergraduate education at Penn State and my masters degree with Quinnipiac have enabled me to gain invaluable experience that I feel would be a great asset to your company.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.