John Lennon of the Beatles once noted that “life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans”. Life is happening this week as I wrap up a wonderful season of my career and life. For twenty-six years my life has been ordered by the rhythms of Southeastern Conference basketball. Starting in January of 1984 and every New Year since I have packed up and traveled the landscape of the SEC. This week at the Southeastern Conference Tournament my 26 year run of directing SEC games will end as the Raycom Sports contract expires.
I loved this package and working for Raycom and their predecessors (SPI, Lorimar, Jefferson Pilot, Lincoln Financial). Losing something dear to you is always sad. But life has happened and I am choosing to remember twenty-six years of great athletes and great games. I have had the privilege of directing games featuring superstars like Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Allan Houston. My tenure in the Conference saw five national championships spread among Arkansas, Florida and Kentucky. Colorful coaches like Wimp Sanderson, Dale Brown, Rick Pitino and Nolan Richardson prowled the sidelines. I have been blessed to be a part of this.
The games will go on next year. I will not be missed by many (if any) viewers. Charles DeGaulle once made this sage observation.
The cemeteries of the world are full of indispensable men.
I realize how blessed I have been to have had such a lengthy run. I know that I am not indispensable nor are my Raycom colleagues. But there will be some changes that make me sad and that will change the tradition of SEC television. For thirty years viewers have been treated to one of the great broadcasters in this business. Tom Hammond has built an amazing career of Olympic and network success. Yet he has always come home to SEC basketball every January. He worked Starkville and Columbia into his ridiculous schedule for one reason. He loves this conference and this package of games. Tom will wrap up his thirtieth season this Saturday in Tampa. He will be missed.
I am sad because Tom’s partner Larry Conley will also wrap up a great run of analyzing and promoting Southeastern Conference basketball. Larry will be missed. Basketball fans have had three decades of Deans in their living rooms. Joe Senior gave way to Joe Junior and both have entertained and informed generations of fans. I am sad because talented broadcasters like Tim Brando, Dave Neal, Barry Booker and Dave Baker will finish their run with Raycom Sports SEC basketball this weekend.
I am sad because I will not get to work next season with producer Roger Roebuck. He is a good producer and better man. I will remember previous tournaments as I watch the editing and creative wizardry of producer Dave Barringer displayed in the music open “Heroes”.I will miss working with the great Gary Clem at the tournament each year. I will have a 43 second moment of silence to honor my relationship with him.
I am sad because I know I may not get to work again with some of the best television crew members in the business. I am sure we will say the the same things that we do in high school, college and when we move to another city.
“We will stay in touch for sure.”
But generally we do not. I have been so fortunate to work with these world class professionals. A big part of the reason I have lasted twenty-six years is that these talented pros have made me look good. I know that. I realized long ago that I am a pretty good director when I have a really good crew. Go figure. For two decades I have looked forward to my annual reunion with these friends and colleagues. Enjoy their work this weekend. They truly are among the best in the country.
One of the great blessings in my life has been my relationship with Executive Producer Jimmy Rayburn. We started out together twenty-seven years ago doing basketball for USA Network. I have never worked for a better man than Jimmy Rayburn. His loyalty and integrity is legendary. A golden retriever would look disloyal compared to Jimmy. I have been honored to work with and later for Jimmy Rayburn.
I have the amazing privilege of directing the last Raycom SEC broadcast on Saturday. When we fade to black I will likely be emotional. But I hope that I will remember how blessed I have been to work in this awesome conference with great announcers and the best crew around. Not many guys get to put in 26 years on the same gig. We are going through the book of Ecclesiastes at our church. You might be surprised to learn that The Byrds did not write these original lyrics.
For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.
So that is the plan. Be happy. Enjoy myself. Enjoy my colleagues, friends and fruits of our labor. Might even eat and drink a bit with the guys. And remember that these are gifts from God. I have been grateful for the chance to bring lots of great SEC memories into millions of homes. It has been a privilege.
Buzz
Dave–
Thanks to you and all those who’s path I’ve crossed for making me feel so welcome–I’m confident we’ll work again together–but more than that–I’m confident our friendships will live on. I think you should do a column about how following God’s instgructions are like following Barringer’s (“what does God really mean when he says “roll red”)
Buzz
Stacy
If I recall correctly, my first ever JP show was one of yours in Oxford — a football show — in about 1996. A camera guy had described Dave Burchett as “a prince of a guy,” and he was correct. All those JP/Raycom shows really were like family, even to the occasional visitors, and we were all blessed to be part of the adventure. Your recollection is so comprehensive and very touching. SEC sports has been televised by some of the best in the business, but also by the best of people. When we worked in Columbia last month, somehow it escaped me that the next game, well, wouldn’t come. I’ll be traveling to Knoxville and Columbia again, I suppose, but it won’t be the same.
Earl A
I’ve been doing freelance work for Jimmy Rayburn and the Raycom Sports (and previously known entities) for a long time as well (26 years). The emotion that I see from you and the crew here this week is a testament to the absolute genuine friendships that are a result of Raycom Sports. God has blessed the Raycom crew with these friendships and , even though we may not see each other as much, the blessings given us through these friendships will stay with us forever. It has been my honor to work with this group over the years.
Todd
Your words couldn’t be more true. I was fortunate to get my break in sports TV right out of college working for Jimmy at JP Sports. After 10 years with the “family” I was ready to move on to different things. But every season around this time, I wonder about everyone at the SEC Tournament. My 1st one was in New Orleans in 1996 and my last was in New Orleans in 2004. I was in San Francisco last season doing an NBA game when word of a tornado hitting Atlanta made it my way. It was as if I was there. Dave is right, it’s more of a family than “work people.” I am in Phoenix tonight, but wish I could be in Tampa with everyone as they broadcast the last SEC telecast on JP/Raycom Sports. Do us all proud guys!
Alan
And it has been a privilege to work with you as well Dave. In the short time that I have worked for Raycom/JP/Lincoln Financial/…whatever, I have met some truly great people. It is a shame that the ride ends this weekend for me, but I will always look back at my short time with this company as a really great time in my life. There are so few companies that look at their employees, whether fulltime or freelance, as family anymore, and Raycom & Jimmy are one of the last ones. I will miss them and I will miss working with you! I will continue to read your blog (love the title!) and hopefully we can continue to correspond in the blogiverse until the next time we work together!
I will be posting a similiar post about Raycom on my site with pictures soon!
See ya at work today! 🙂
Alan
Angie
It’s fantiastic that you can come to end of something and be sad because that something was full of great relationships. It’s nice that these men can know that you have spent these years admiring and respecting and enjoying them. In reality, these men have left their mark on you, and you on them. Fortunately, you are all better men because of each other. Yet, I understand the sadness when those excellent chapters come to an end–you just want it to go on and on and on. I know you and know that you are balancing your sadness with your anticipation of what God is going to do with you next . . . (I hope you didn’t forget to send these men you mentioned a copy of your blog!)
Cheryl
Well, I know a lot of people are sadder than you, Dave. Your written words have meant so much to me so I have a pretty good idea how much you have meant to the people who know you personally and have worked with you all these years. They are sad to see their contact with you end, no doubt.
I know you will be sought out. You will always be busy doing wonderful and interesting things.
My husband and I have found that endings are only new beginnings!
Godspeed!
Cheryl
Wayne Barry
No one could have said what many of us feel about this passing better than you. Every fall, I too have looked forward to working with the J.P. [yeah, I know] crews.
You and Clemmer put a smile on the face of a crew when we would see you on site.
I always look forward to your stories and trading jokes with you.
It has been my honor and pleasure to work with such fine people for so many years.
Gil Herren
I’m completely stunned. I had no idea. I’m lost without you all.
Malcolm Johnson
Dave ,
I can relate. This week I got a very short email from Mary Kay, that (after 14 years) they no longer need my services. It is not as emotional for me, except the it stings to loose a job. However, last week I got my first Olympic contract for Vancouver next February.
Somehow at times we actually do realize that God has all things in control. He has even placed our leaders in place for a time.
See you at baseball,
Malcolm