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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Scott Clark, Sports Director and Anchor at ABC Channel 7





Scott joined Eyewitness News in 1986 and soon became the station's Sports Director and Anchor.. and is known to be "Out Of This World"!  Peachy Deegan can verify that he is since he sat next to her at The Buoniconti Fund dinner http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/10/sports-philanthropic-heroes-are-honored.html....the lovely Julie Banderas was also at our table http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/11/movers-and-shakers-julie-banderas-of.html


In fact, Scott's reporting exploits over the past 30 years have taken him around the world-from Tokyo, Japan for Major League Baseball's historic season opener with the Mets, to England to cover The Championships at Wimbledon, and back across the Unites States in to bring Channel 7 viewers the best coverage of their local sports teams.


While here at Channel 7, Scott has initiated some of the funniest and most anticipated sports features with his weekly segments, "Out Of This World", "Highlight Zone", and "Armchair Quarterback".


The Emmy award winning sportscaster has not only nabbed exclusive interviews throughout the years, but has also covered sporting events first hand. Scott signed on and played with a professional football team. He has stood with bat in hand at home plate to face the likes of Doc Gooden and Goose Gossage, and has played basketball against the Harlem Globetrotters. If that wasn't enough, he's been a Drag Racer, Sky Diver, Bronco Buster, and yes, even a Bull Riding Fool that earned him a week's stay in the hospital!


Off the air, Scott serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors, of the Alcoholism Council of New York. In addition, he serves on the Advisory Board of the National Sportscasters Association, and the Board of Trustees of the Starlight Foundation, where he was recently inducted into its Hall Of Fame.


New York's 1998 Big Brother of the Year also loves to play golf, and has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity by hosting his own golf tournaments over the years.  We are so pleased to present him as our latest Mover and Shaker!  Peachy Deegan interviewed Scott Clark for Whom You Know.


Peachy Deegan: Did you play sports growing up?

Scott Clark: Yes, I played many sports growing up…t-ball, baseball, football, basketball, and golf.  I continued to play basketball and golf in high school, and then played some golf in college. 

What was your inspiration for going into sportscasting?
My inspiration for going into sportscasting actually began with my Drama teacher in high school--Karan Longbrake.  She asked me if I wanted to work at a local radio station in Lima, Ohio, and I said yes, and went to work at WIMA-Radio, working the FM operating board for the Cincinnati Reds baseball games. I also loved all kinds of sports...so the rest was history.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
Today my most challenging aspect is staying healthy while making long runs in sports..like the Yankees playoff run in October/November..and covering Spring training. They involve non-stop 16-hour days, mostly seven days per week. It used to be a lot easier, but I’m not 30, or 40, or 50 anymore!

What events have you enjoyed covering the most and why?
The Super Bowl, the World Series, the Stanley Cup—they are all special because they are the ultimate title in their respective sports. But, for me, golf  and boxing are my favorites. Golf, because of my greatest passion for it...Boxing, because covering that sport ringside is like no other. You actually feel like you’re in that ring!

What or who has had the most influence on your pursuit of excellence?
My Mother and Father, my drama teacher Karan Longbrake, and my first employer—Golf pro Bo Contini.
  
What are you proudest of and why?
I am most proud of my family. They make me the happiest.

What is your favorite place to be in Manhattan?
On Columbus Avenue...at night..smoking a cigar, drinking a latte, conversing with friends, and watching the Big Apple World go by!

What is your favorite shop in Manhattan?

Any shop that has a Canali suit!
 
What is your favorite drink?

Café Du Monde coffee in the morning…Espresso after dinner, and Green Tea anytime else.

What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan?

Shun Lee (west side)

What is your favorite Manhattan book?

Zagat

What has been your best Manhattan athletic experience?
Does playing a round of golf on Governor’s Island count? I started on Manhattan, and used the ferry floor as a putting green!
 
What is your favorite thing to do in Manhattan that you can do nowhere else?

Broadway shows

What has been your best Manhattan art or music experience?
I was moved to tears upon hearing and seeing  Phantom of the Opera for the first time on Broadway.
The Eagles concert at Madison Square Graden didn’t make me cry, but it  filled my soul!  

What do you think is most underrated and overrated here?

There is no rating here!  It is all in the eyes of the beholder! You got a problem with that?!

Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite Whom You Know column and what do you like about it?

Sporty Peachy, of course! 

What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?

Nothing.

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