John Gaskins
Sioux Falls,SD
Summary
Personable, versatile, experienced, thorough and compelling storyteller, whether it is as a sports play-by-play announcer, news and sports anchor, news and sports reporter, talk show host, writer, editor, content creator, video producer, or live performer. I have over 20 years of experience in the broadcasting and sports industries — including 22 consecutive seasons of play-by-play. I enjoy working with sharp, creative, and innovative people to produce entertaining, meaningful, high-quality content. And I relish both behind-the-scenes background research/writing/editing and on-air live performing — both artfully scripted and improvised, when needed.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Sports Talk Show Host & Content Creator
Sioux Falls Live / Forum Communications
11.2024 - Current
- Host and produce a daily sports talk show involving local and regional topics. Interview guests relevant to target audience to generate engagement
- Research, outline, and perform daily monologues with developed, informational, and entertaining opinions that include audio/video soundbites to illuminate statements
- Prepare insightful questions ahead of each broadcast, leading to engaging interviews that capture audience attention.
- Conduct interviews in professional, conversational, and entertaining manner, listening carefully to answers to enhance flow of conversation
- Stay informed of current events through daily news consumption, ensuring topical relevance in discussions on the show.
- Book guests for each show
- Work closely with video producer to complete promotional production assignments, including selection of best content and writing social media posts.
- Adapt gracefully under pressure when faced with unexpected challenges or controversial subject matter during broadcasts.
Sports Broadcaster
University of Sioux Falls
01.2021 - Current
- Prepared and announced live play-by-play broadcasts of men's and women's basketball games (January and February of 2021)
- Public Address Announcer for select home football, volleyball, men's basketball, women's basketball, and softball games (Sept. 2021 to present)
- Sustained high levels of concentration throughout lengthy events, maintaining consistent energy and professionalism in all announcements.
- Assisted in promoting brand visibility during sponsored events through the inclusion of sponsor messages within announcements.
- Utilized strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks simultaneously during fast-paced events without compromising performance quality.
- Managed audio equipment setup and troubleshooting during events, guaranteeing clear sound quality for all announcements.
- Ensured accuracy of all announcements by collaborating with event coordinators and verifying details prior to public address.
- Adapted quickly to last-minute changes in event schedules or scripts, ensuring seamless delivery of announcements.
- Promoted positive audience engagement by incorporating humor and enthusiasm into select announcements when appropriate.
Media and Entertainment Director
Sioux Falls Canaries Baseball
07.2020 - Current
- Created and performed entertainment content at Sioux Falls Canaries home baseball games
- Led an entertainment staff to execute performances
- Communicated with team ownership and management about promotions and events
- Coordinated with local musicians, performers, politicians, military veterans, interest groups, and team advertising partners for maximum entertainment participation and performance
- Communicated with customers to convey information about events or activities.
- Operated or communicated with operators about website and social media promotion of team events and performances
- Coordinated with local media outlets to obtain and perform interviews, articles, and features about the team and its events
- Wrote and created videos to promote team players, management, and events
- Wrote and posted news articles about the team's players, managements, and events for team website
- Brainstormed new entertainment concepts and outlined details in presentations.
- Conducted post-event assessments and developed reports for review and to aid future planning.
- Scheduled and coordinated events and activities.
Sports Broadcaster
KWSN Radio / Metro Sports TV
05.2016 - Current
- Produced and hosted daily sports talk show, and weekly interview show
- Announced play-by-play action of local high school football and basketball games, including state championships
- Reported breaking news and reports informing audiences of important events.
- Interviewed guests, composed questions and performed in-depth research
- Represented station at promotional appearances to drive sales for advertising partners.
- Developed storylines for broadcasts to engage listeners and increase audience numbers.
- Researched subjects and prepared for live events, special programs and guest interviews.
- Wrote online news and commentary articles on local, regional, and national sports and current events
Multimedia Journalist
Dakota News Now
11.2021 - 11.2024
- Reported news stories for publication or broadcast, thoroughly describing background and details of events.
- Created tightly written news stories crafted from reliable sources.
- Arranged interviews with witnesses and bystanders, providing first-hand accounts of stories.
- Developed connections with public relations contacts, providing exemplary sources for news stories.
- Produced engaging videos that provided viewers with concise summaries or captivating interviews related to the topic at hand.
- Gathered information and developed perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews and observation.
- Posted on social media sites frequently to increase news broadcast traffic.
- Received assignments or evaluated leads or tips to develop story ideas.
- Cultivated relationships with sources and key figures in local area to reliably produce top-notch news coverage.
- Revised work to meet editorial approval or fit time or space requirements.
- Determined focus of news by staying on top of local, national and international events.
- Edited videos and film compilations before publication.
- Discussed issues with editors to establish priorities or positions.
- Streamlined news production processes by effectively managing deadlines and prioritizing assignments.
Program Director / Sports Talk Host / Play-by-Play
93.7 The Ticket Sports Radio
07.2011 - 05.2016
- Produced and hosted a daily 3-hour sports talk show, plus another 1-hour daily show, and a separate 1-hour weekly show
- Interviewed persons of interest and special guests for broadcast segments
- Created and implemented new programming ideas to keep station relevant and growing.
- Prepared and announced live play-by-play action of local high school football and basketball games
- Covered station demands by recruiting, scheduling and managing highly qualified on-air talent and support staff
- Organized remote broadcasting operations with appropriate facilities, equipment and personnel
- Engaged with listeners via shows, phone/e-mail correspondence, and at numerous public appearances and live broadcasts while representing the station
- Scheduled and supervised staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones
- Negotiated program contracts and agreements to obtain cost-effective pricing
- Mentored team members for professional development, resulting in increased productivity and job satisfaction
- Established strategy for program using evaluation outcomes and research to set goals and direction
Sports Broadcaster
KWSN Radio / Backyard Broadcasting
06.2008 - 06.2011
- Produced and hosted daily sports talk show, and weekly interview show
- Announced play-by-play action of local high school football and basketball games, including state championships
- Reported breaking news and reports informing audiences of important events.
- Interviewed guests, composed questions and performed in-depth research
- Represented station at promotional appearances to drive sales for advertising partners.
- Developed storylines for broadcasts to engage listeners and increase audience numbers.
- Researched subjects and prepared for live events, special programs and guest interviews.
- Wrote online news and commentary articles on local, regional, and national sports and current events
Sports Broadcaster
Three Eagles Radio
06.2005 - 06.2008
- Produced and hosted daily sports talk show, and weekly interview show
- Announced play-by-play action of local high school football, basketball, volleyball, and baseball games, including state championships
- Reported breaking news and reports informing audiences of important events.
- Interviewed guests, composed questions and performed in-depth research
- Represented station at promotional appearances to drive sales for advertising partners.
- Developed storylines for broadcasts to engage listeners and increase audience numbers.
- Researched subjects and prepared for live events, special programs and guest interviews.
- Wrote online news and commentary articles on local, regional, and national sports and current events
Sports Talk Guest Host
ESPN Radio Lincoln
01.2005 - 06.2005
- Frequently appeared, co-hosted, or fill-in hosted daily sports talk show
- Determined, researched, and developed topics
- Prepared and conducted guest interviews
Sports Anchor / Reporter
KTVL-TV / Freedom Communications
06.2002 - 06.2004
- Wrote, researched, produced, edited, and performed daily sportcasts and weekly highlights shows for local TV news shows.
- Scheduled, developed, wrote, produced, edited, and photographed 2-3 sports feature stories per week.
- Gathered information and developed perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews and observation.
- Arranged interviews with witnesses and bystanders, providing first-hand accounts of stories.
- Cultivated relationships with sources and key figures in local area to reliably produce top-notch sports coverage.
- Revised work to meet editorial approval or fit time or space requirements.
- Presented news stories through in-depth videotaped segments or live transmissions from on-scene reporters.
- Created tightly written news stories crafted from reliable sources.
- Met deadlines with reliable, in-depth news coverage.
Sports Reporter / Anchor
KLKN-TV / Citadel Broadcasting
11.2001 - 05.2002
- Wrote, researched, produced, edited, and performed sportcasts and weekly highlights shows for local TV news shows.
- Scheduled, developed, wrote, produced, edited, and photographed sports feature stories.
- Gathered information and developed perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews and observation.
- Arranged interviews with witnesses and bystanders, providing first-hand accounts of stories.
- Cultivated relationships with sources and key figures in local area to reliably produce top-notch sports coverage.
- Revised work to meet editorial approval or fit time or space requirements.
- Created tightly written sports stories crafted from reliable sources.
- Met deadlines with reliable, in-depth news coverage.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism, Broadcast
University of Nebraska
05.2002
Skills
- Energetic, professional play-by-play sports broadcasting
- News and sports reporting and writing
- News and Sports Anchoring
- Brand development & promotion
- Public speaking and entertaining
- Entertaining content creation
- Engagement in community and with audience
- Feature Writing
- Creative Writing
- Daily Reporting
- Story Development
- Script Writing
- Story Editing
- Content creation
- Breaking News Coverage
- Editorials and Commentaries
- On-scene Reporting
- Facebook and Twitter
- Problem-Solving
- Detail-Oriented
- Background Research
- Blog Writing
- Column Writing
- Fact Checking
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Decision Making
- Video Storytelling
- Editorial Standards
- Staff Collaboration
- Story Pitches
- Political Story Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Community Events
- Online News Content
- Public Speaking
- Telephone Interviews
- Beat Reporting
- Voiceover Writing
- Investigative Reports
- Public and Media Relations
- Celebrity Interviews
- Deadline Driven
- Appointment Scheduling
- Industry Trends
- Customer Service
Affiliations
- South Dakota Associated Press Award for radio sports play-by-play
- South Dakota Associated Press Award for radio sports feature (interview)
- South Dakota Associated Press Award for radio sports writing (1st place)
- Two Nebraska Broadcasters Association Awards for sports feature (interview, including one 1st place)
- Two Nebraska Broadcasters Association Awards for sports play-by-play (including one 1st place)
- Northwest Broadcasters News Association Award for sports feature (interview)
Education and Training
other
Timeline
Sports Talk Show Host & Content Creator
Sioux Falls Live / Forum Communications
11.2024 - Current
Multimedia Journalist
Dakota News Now
11.2021 - 11.2024
Sports Broadcaster
University of Sioux Falls
01.2021 - Current
Media and Entertainment Director
Sioux Falls Canaries Baseball
07.2020 - Current
Sports Broadcaster
KWSN Radio / Metro Sports TV
05.2016 - Current
Program Director / Sports Talk Host / Play-by-Play
93.7 The Ticket Sports Radio
07.2011 - 05.2016
Sports Broadcaster
KWSN Radio / Backyard Broadcasting
06.2008 - 06.2011
Sports Broadcaster
Three Eagles Radio
06.2005 - 06.2008
Sports Talk Guest Host
ESPN Radio Lincoln
01.2005 - 06.2005
Sports Anchor / Reporter
KTVL-TV / Freedom Communications
06.2002 - 06.2004
Sports Reporter / Anchor
KLKN-TV / Citadel Broadcasting
11.2001 - 05.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism, Broadcast
University of Nebraska
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