努力工作, Determination and Passion Lead Alumnus to Successful Career as CNN Sports Journalist
这是劳尔·萨恩斯
“Sports have the power to change the world, sports have the power to inspire.”
These are the famous words by former South African President Nelson Mandela at the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000.
Sports did just that for 1994 Communication Arts graduate 劳尔•萨斯博士 - inspire him.
今天, Saenz is the sports anchor and producer for CNN en Español, a Hispanic multi-media platform geared towards Spanish-speaking audiences around the world; it reaches over 50 million households across Latin America and the United States alone.
他的激情, determination and perseverance has led him to cover NBA Finals, 超级碗, World Championship Boxing events, Major League Baseball games and other international sporting events.
然而, it was not an easy road for the Laredo native who has been leaving a mark in the Hispanic sports communication industry for over 20 years.
Growing up, Saenz knew he wanted to be involved in sports. Not possessing the physical attributes necessary to compete at the highest level, he was determined to find an alternative.
“就像我热爱运动一样, I didn’t have an ounce of talent to play it at the college level, so I wanted to figure out a way to be 关闭 to the action,萨恩斯说.
After graduating high school, Saenz decided to shift his focus into studying communications. UIW marked the start of his journey.
“I had a cousin who was a student at UIW a couple of years before I graduated from high school,他回忆道. “She told me nothing but great things about the school - its campus and the whole student community. I also didn’t want to go too far from my hometown, and I thought San Antonio would be a good transition for me.”
Enrolled as a Communication Arts major and prepared for the challenges ahead, Saenz quickly experienced the support and influence from his professors.
“My professors were very influential,” he said. “Not only in making sure that I learned the courses they were teaching, but supporting me when opportunity knocked.”
Just a few months prior to crossing the stage, a golden opportunity presented itself for Saenz. The former Alpha Phi Omega member recalls the moment he was offered a job, and it was his professors who encouraged him to go after it.
“在我的最后一个学期, I got hired for my first job as a sports anchor in my hometown television station,萨恩斯说. “Every one of my professors encouraged me to take advantage of that opportunity while allowing me to complete my assignments towards my graduation. I will never forget that kind of support from my professors.”
In addition to the guidance provided by professors inside the classroom, Saenz looks back on the impact outside the classroom. Through service opportunities - a core value of UIW since its inception - he found joy in giving back to the local community.
“I liked the fact that the school required a specific amount of community service hours before our graduation; it truly allowed me to learn about different organizations and charities,他回忆道.
Thinking about his experiences at UIW has allowed Saenz to reflect on the opportunities given to him as a student. For future journalists looking to follow his footsteps, the former Communication Arts major has simple advice.
“Be fair, work hard and treat everyone the same,萨恩斯说. “No one is above anyone in this business. We all need each other to produce a good segment or show. Try to be genuine - don’t try to emulate anyone else. This is a very competitive industry and you’ll definitely get a lot of doors 关闭d on you. All it takes is one opening, one opportunity, and you have to make the most of it.”