#CCUSocialMedia and WMBF Helping Out

Posted on September 15, 2014 by brent

To view the news story that this post is based on, click here.

As a proud Chanticleer football season ticket holder, there was no way I was going to let my two tickets go to waste. It was 1 p.m. on Saturday and I had no one to give my tickets to. With the game sold out and demand high from people who didn’t get tickets, I offered up my seats on #CCUSocialMedia.

I simply sent out a Tweet on our official twitter account asking our audience to retweet it. At 2 p.m. a user who retweeted the message would win the two tickets I had to giveaway. Twenty-five people responded with a retweet but one Coastal student added a little more.

This was the tweet that was sent out asking our social media audience to retweet it for a chance to win football tickets.

After retweeting the @CCUChanticleers tweet, Marissa Reusch replied with a tweet of her own. She stated that she didn’t have tickets but she did have a dad who was only in town for the weekend before he would fly back out to Kuwait. If at all possible, she would like to take her dad to the game that night.

Besides retweeting the tweet, Marisa sent this.

Well it was a no-brainer from there. I selected her as our winner of the promotion and hand delivered them the tickets when they arrived on campus. I managed to snap a photo of father and daughter with the tickets in hand.

This was the tweet announcing Marisa as the winner.

Okay, this isn’t the main point of the blog post. Of course anyone would have done what I did given the situation. Who would deny a man serving our country and a daughter begging for a special experience with her dad a couple of football tickets? No one. But it is what came next that really touched me.

Marisa and her dad, Darryl, with the game tickets they won on Saturday afternoon.

Journalism these days centers on social media. Forget about press releases and websites…reporters discover their stories through social media. WMBF, a local news station in the Myrtle Beach/Conway area, noticed the Twitter promotion. The station also noticed the subsequent Facebook post that identified the winners and their special story. Brooke Holden, a reporter for WMBF, tweeted at Marisa with a story request. The next day a news crew was at the airport to speak with Darryl and Marisa Reusch.

This was the story produced by WMBF. It chronicled the social media events of Saturday afternoon perfectly. But what it did even better was show the love between Marisa and her dad along with the heartache of saying goodbye. Watching them hug with tears in their eyes made my own eyes water up. The uneasiness of having a loved one serving overseas in a war country is unfathomable to many of us.

I want to thank WMBF for putting together such a heartfelt story and to Marisa and Darryl for doing it. As I got misty-eyed at my desk this morning I couldn’t help but once again realize that I love social media and I love my job. Don’t Blink.

Speed Reading

Posted on September 14, 2014 by brent

On Friday I traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, for a social media conference. The conference went well but there was one peculiar part. Toward the start of the day, one of the presenters randomly pitched us on a speed reading book they had for sale. Prefacing his plea by saying “Now I know this has nothing to do with social media…” he discussed how speed reading is legit and how it had helped him bolster his reading performance. I did not buy the book.

Although I am fascinated by speed reading, I am skeptical. First thing that jumps into my mind is an infomercial that used to play over and over when I was in my early teens. A fat guy with glasses sat at a table with a host across from him while he would demonstrate his speed reading skills. Using his hand to scan each line of the page, he moved his fingers at lightning speed in a downward motion, then he would violently turn the page and continue his rampage. He put on quite the show. And, he managed to correctly answer the comprehension questions asked by the host. I mean come on, don’t for one second think the speed reader was prepped/provided with any of the answers. They do all those infomercials live, right?

I have no idea how speed reading works. I neglected to do a Google search to see if I could find out the basics of the speed reading formula. However, in my ignorance, I think speed reading could possibly be a giant scam. I admit, I have only seen the con artist on television demonstrate the technique. I don’t think real speed readers physically beat up a book and practically tear out every page. I am thinking the legit ones have a more subdued and less flashy way of getting through literature quickly.

But here is my main question: Why aren’t there more speed readers out there? In my lifetime I have never known a legitimate speed reader. Way back in the day I had a classmate who claimed to speed read but it was a giant hoax. I know many avid readers, professors, and students…none of them speed read. Why is that? Although I understand that many folks might say they want to enjoy a book at normal speed, you would think majority of people who are very dependent on reading would be invested in the technique.

So I turn it over to my readers. Have you ever undergone any training for speed reading before? Is it legitimate? Do you speed read through my blog? Please let me know. Don’t Blink.

Reunion, Chick-fil-A, 9/11, Social Media Conference, Niece

Posted on September 11, 2014 by brent

Good evening my valued readers! Thursday is here and that means it is time for me to throw five different topics your way. Before I lose your attention, how about we start right now?

Reuniting: The first Coastal Carolina student I ever met was in March when I visited campus for my on-site interview. This student was named Briana Dinkins and she served as my guide for the campus tour that was arranged for me to go on. Despite a rainy and dark day, she was all smiles the whole time with a positive attitude to match. Driving around on the golf cart with her provided some great relief for me in between interview sessions. She was a big part in making my campus visit memorable.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to see Briana for the first time since that early spring day. I interviewed her for the #CCUfamily campaign and let me tell you, she was the same energetic and positive person from March. It was so cool to come full-circle and have the chance to tell her how much I enjoyed the tour she gave me and what a great representation she is of the university.

Briana is such a positive person. Coastal is so lucky to have her!

Beautiful 9/11 Vigil: I could have spent tonight writing about 9/11. However, I think I said what I had to say three years ago. Instead, I decided to mark the 13th anniversary in a much more meaningful way. Just minutes ago I attended a candlelight vigil put on by the #CCU NAACP. On a gorgeous evening I got to hear beautiful singing, heartfelt speeches, and the respectful silence of a community marking the date together. I think I feel better on this date than I ever have before.

The choir at the vigil was amazing.

Chick-fil-A on Campus: Last week I wrote about our campus receiving a mobile Starbucks truck. Well this week another major company set up shop at Coastal Carolina. We now have our own Chick-fil-A store! Yesterday I had the privilege of taking part in the “soft opening” of the restaurant and enjoyed a free spicy chicken sandwich and waffle fries. Today I covered the official grand opening. It was fun watching our students line up and then witnessing the ribbon cutting/first bite ceremony. Our campus gets better each day.

I took a photo with the Chick-fil-A cow at today’s grand opening.

Off to Columbia, South Carolina: Tomorrow I head off to the state capital of South Carolina for a social media conference. I will be departing Myrtle Beach a little before 5 a.m. and will be returning at around 8 p.m. In between that time (minus the driving) I hope to learn techniques and practices that will allow me to improve #CCUSocialMedia. And to be completely honest, I am kind of excited to enter into Gamecocks Country and see if I can get a feel for the pride that the community has for the University of South Carolina.

Niece Update: My niece will celebrate her one week birthday tomorrow. I can report some good news: Mikayla is doing wonderful! Besides that basic report, here are some newer photos of her:

Here are some photos I threw together of my niece, Mikayla. My sister, Miranda, is in the photo on the bottom left.

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Have a great night everyone. Please take a few minutes to remember those who lost their lives in such an unfair manner 13 years ago. God Bless America. Don’t Blink.

Time Alone

Posted on September 10, 2014 by brent

Every now and then I like to say a few words about my Life’s Little Instructions thought of the day. The wisdom dished out for September 10 held some truth for me personally so please allow me to go on for a few brief paragraphs.

This was today’s Life’s Little Instruction.

For those who can’t read iPhone photos of text, the thought says this: “To be happy when alone is an exquisite happiness.” I couldn’t agree more. Some people dread being alone, not me. I find peace and harmony locking myself in my apartment and writing, reading, Tweeting, and watching television. I don’t yearn for a big thrill, I don’t become restless, and I don’t become needy…I just become…well…happy.

Not that I am an anti-social loser either (at least not the anti-social part). I love my family more than anything, I have a great girlfriend, and I have a solid pool of friends living all across the country. But I do covet the time when I am alone. Notice how the quote defines the solitary happiness as an “exquisite” one. The word exquisite to me means very fine and top of the line. I think that describes my sense of joy when I am relaxed at home perfectly. It is just a stress-free, effortless type of existence.

I keep myself company very easily. I don’t get scared while alone. I don’t feel left out or like something is missing if it is a Friday night and I am home by myself. I don’t feel any negative emotions at all…I just feel joy.

I am an outgoing, people person but I am also a recluse. I love to travel and do things but I am also very appreciative of time alone. I really do enjoy the “exquisite” things in life. Don’t Blink.

Where Did These Dollar Coins Come From?

Posted on September 9, 2014 by brent

Lunchtime rolled around today and I decided to leave the office to eat with the lunch crew (our graphic designers and our editor-in-chief). As we walked out the door I stopped at the vending machine to purchase a bag of Chex Mix. This particular machine is a new model and it accepts $5 bills. Hating to break such a bill in a vending machine but not having any singles, I slipped an Abraham Lincoln note through the slot and made my selection. What came out of the change slot was something I had never seen nor heard about before.

This vending machine was introduced a couple months ago. Each time I used it I always noticed the label announcing that it accepted $5 bills. The question of how change was returned always went through my head. Did it shoot back crisp dollar bills into the change slot? Did it go Vegas style and dump down 16 quarters? These are the stupid things that keep me up at night. Turns out I was wrong on both fronts.

This is the vending machine that I visit on a regular basis and that gave me a surprise today.

When I selected my Chex Mix a clinking sound filled the slot. Okay, part of the mystery is solved, it returns coins. But the sound didn’t signify a whole bunch of quarters. Before opening the door of the slot I thought I either had Sacajawea dollars waiting for me or I had been ripped off. Once again, wrong on both fronts.

What I picked up was something I had never seen before. In my hand were four goldish-looking coins with different cartoonish-looking portraits of the U.S. Presidents on each of them. On the back was a depiction of the Statue of Liberty with the signification that it was worth $1. Since I was a kid I have always loved different types of coins and bills so I was immediately fascinated and also a little confused. How had I never seen these before?

Me holding the four coins I was given from the vending machine.

I caught up with my four lunch partners who had already started walking to the building where we eat at and I showed them my change. Not one of them had ever seen these types of coins. Each one had a different portrait of a President…George Washington, William Harrison, Martin Van Buren, and Abraham Lincoln. My co-workers shared my astonishment as we discussed whether anyone would even accept them if I tried to make a purchase. When I returned from lunch I showed the coins to more people in my office. No one had ever seen them before! It spun my curiosity the whole afternoon.

An up close look at the four Presidential dollar coins I received.

I waited until I got home to do an internet search. I expected to learn that this was a new dollar coin initiative that just started up. So wrong again! I was amazed to find out that the Presidential $1 Coin Program started in 2007!! In a model that resembles the U.S. State Quarters Plan, select coins are introduced annually. Specifically, four Presidents each year come out on the $1 coins. The issuing goes according to chronological order. In 2014, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, and FDR have all been released. Presidents must be dead at least two years before having their image minted so most likely the program will end in 2016 with Ronald Reagan.

For someone who loves the United States Presidents and currency as much as me, I still can’t believe I have been completely ignorant to this program for seven years. However, maybe I should say just four years. You see, in 2011, the government decided to stop minting the coins for circulation, opting to just release smaller amounts for collectors. Although I am a fan of currency, I don’t collect it. My full intention is to spend these coins but the question remains…will retailers look at me with confused faces when I present them as payment?

A look at the front and back of a Presidential dollar coin.

What a cool little lunch discovery today. If you have any experiences with these coins, please let me know. It is crazy how little publicity this program garnered. I will let you know how my transactions with this type of money goes. But, if you want a piece of history and are willing to pay me double for them, I will definitely take your offer. Don’t Blink.

Why Dum Dums Are Special to Me

Posted on September 8, 2014 by brent

Starting this school year, the Coastal Carolina University campus went tobacco-free. While most people immediately think of the students, and as they should, others are impacted as well. In my office I have the privilege of working with a fine editor named Joanna. She is a longtime smoker. When the tobacco ban took effect, she had to figure out some way to make it through the day.

In a drawer in Joanna’s office is a gigantic 300-piece bag of Dum Dums lollipops. When a craving comes she tears the wrapper off one of the suckers and pops it into her mouth. Although I can only imagine how much it pales in comparison to the satisfaction that a shot of nicotine would provide her with, she is making it through the day. Although Joanna doesn’t have plans to quit smoking now, she is doing her part to make our campus tobacco-free while at work.

Joanna and her BIG bag of Dum Dums.

The best part about Joanna’s Dum Dums regimen? She hooks me up with all the suckers I want! That’s right, on my desk I have a supply container that is filled with Dum Dums. I like them because they give my desk area a little bit of color. I like them because when I forget to bring gum they provide me with an alternative breath saver. I like them because in the middle of a long day they provide me with a little bit of relief. But I like them most of all because they let me reminisce.

These are the Dum Dums on my desk that Joanna gave me.

My family owned an Italian restaurant in Walla Walla, Washington. Called the Pastime Cafe, my grandpa and uncle ran the place all through my childhood. Before my grandpa and uncle, my great grandpa operated the place. The restaurant was in operation for over 80 years, all under the ownership of my mom’s family (the Fazzari family…can you get more Italian than that?)

The Pastime Café, the restaurant I grew up in.

Anyway, when you walked into the restaurant there was a glass counter case directly to your right that contained every candy bar you could think of. Sitting behind the glass case was the person who operated the antique cash register (usually my Aunt Becky). The register rested to the left of my aunt, and underneath it was a sliding wooden door. Inside that wooden door were two things: Dum Dums and Andes mints. Now I loved both of those candies, but the Dum Dums hold more sentimental value for me.

This is my great grandpa at the cash register. As you can barely see, the glass counter case is visible at the very bottom of the picture. The wooden door is also visible.

After we ate dinner my mom would let us pick out a candy bar (we could only eat half of it) and also choose a Dum Dums. Back then there weren’t 16 flavors like there are now but it didn’t matter because my brother and I would always pick out the same one over and over: The Mystery Flavor!! Wrapped in paper with purple question marks all over it, my bro and I thought it was the coolest option. Of course I look back on it now and think what idiots we were; why not just choose a flavor we really liked instead of leaving it up to complete chance? Dumb kids.

Me with some Dum Dums.

For the hundreds of times I ate at the Pastime and the numerous times I went with my grandpa on Sundays when the restaurant was closed, I always got a Dum Dums sucker. I became convinced that our restaurant was keeping the Dum Dums factory in business.

As a 27-year old man, I no longer think that Dum Dums are unique to a small Italian restaurant in Walla Walla, Washington. However, you better believe that whenever I suck on one I immediately think of some of the best memories of my childhood. To get some of those sweet thoughts while living 3,000 miles away from “the town so nice they named it twice” is pretty cool and comforting. Thanks for the suckers, Joanna. Don’t Blink.

Mikayla Joy Koutecky

Posted on September 7, 2014 by brent

The chimes rang at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, at 3 p.m. PT this past Friday. Whenever a baby is born at that hospital the beautiful sound can be heard filling the hallways of the newborn unit. On this particular afternoon the chimes were in honor of Mikayla Joy Koutecky, my first ever niece.

The first ever photo of Mikayla Joy.

My sister, Miranda, gave birth to Mikayla via C-Section, presenting my parents with their first grandchild. The procedure, much like the whole pregnancy, went smoothly. At six pounds, nine ounces, the bundle of “Joy” is a healthy and happy baby. She has dark hair and blue eyes.

My sister and her brand new baby.

Just a couple weeks before I moved out east, I had the opportunity to watch as my sister surprised my parents with news of her pregnancy. Although not there for the months that followed and the birth itself, I did follow along by way of Skype, picture messaging, and phone calls. After work on Friday I hustled home and sat on my couch while I awaited word. Right around 6 p.m. eastern time my mom texted me to tell me that she heard chimes. About 45 minutes after that text I received the first photo of Mikayla.

My mom (Grandma) with Mikayla.

My family is ecstatic about the new addition. Although I will have to wait two and a half more months until I meet my niece in person, I have received plenty of photos to make me feel not so far away. Earlier this week I even sent my sister a Coastal Carolina University dress for Mikayla. It is designed for babies 3-6 months, so maybe when I arrive for Thanksgiving she will just be able to slip into it.

My dad (Grandpa) with his new baby girl.

Congratulations to Miranda and her husband, Jay. Also, congratulations to my parents, who will undoubtedly make the best grandparents ever. Welcome to the world, Mikayla Joy!! I look forward to meeting you. Don’t Blink.

The Latest Happenings

Posted on September 4, 2014 by brent

You all know the drill, it is Thursday! That means I write as quickly as I can about five different topics. Hang on if you don’t want to get left behind, here we go!

BABY – Tomorrow I will become an uncle! My sister will go in for surgery on Friday so doctors can deliver her daughter. Names are narrowed down but it will be a hospital room decision on what the baby is ultimately called. Although I will be very far from my new and first niece, I look forward to Thanksgiving when I get to make the trip back to Spokane and meet her.

My sister will have her baby tomorrow.

Bucky Covington – Remember Bucky Covington? He got a lot of play on country radio one summer for the songs “Different World” and “Good to be Us.” Well, he has fallen in popularity a tad since then. Last Friday night I watched him perform from inches away at the Boathouse, a bar and music venue in Myrtle Beach. The haggard looking Bucky got up on a tiny stage in front of about 80 people and did the best he could. He had two band members with him, including his twin brother named Rocky. He sang his two hits and a whole bunch of covers. He even managed to attract a couple of groupies. After his set a guy named Warren Stone, who was supposedly a strong contestant on “The Voice,” also performed.

My up close view of Bucky Covington on Friday night.

Starbucks on Wheels – Today something arrived on campus that had our whole community rejoicing: A Mobile Starbucks Truck. Coastal Carolina University is just one of three colleges in the nation that gets to take part in this Starbucks pilot experiment. The coffee giant sent us the vehicle which is a fully functioning Starbucks restaurant on wheels! It will move around campus strategically according to different times and when certain events are taking place. When I posted images and video on our social media outlets today our students went bonkers. Now if only I shared their enthusiasm…I hate coffee.

Here are some of the photos I snapped today of the new Mobile Starbucks Truck.

On Assignment – A cool thing about my job at Coastal Carolina University is that I get to work on cool projects that I didn’t have the opportunity to do at my last stop. One of these projects is writing for our alumni magazine. Yesterday I got to visit Sparks Toyota and interview CCU alum Patrick Sparks. I chatted with him for 25 minutes and obtained some great material to write an alumni profile piece. I will submitted my first draft to the magazine editor this evening at the end of work. Pretty soon my writing will be published in a magazine!

Start of the Most Popular League – The NFL season kicks off tonight as my favorite team hosts the Green Bay Packers. I plan to watch the second half of the action as I will be at the Myrtle Beach Pelican playoff game that starts at 7 p.m. I am already bracing myself for the social media onslaught that will occur on my Facebook newsfeed as the Seahawks hit the field. It is great to have the NFL back but I still prefer college football over it any day! By the way, make sure to look for my twin on the field!

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Time to get off to the ballpark for tonight’s game. Hopefully no marriage proposals. Best of luck to my sister tomorrow! You can expect photos and most likely a blog post about my new niece. Have a great evening and weekend. Don’t Blink.

The Retirement of a Griz Legend

Posted on September 3, 2014 by brent

Today, a legendary sports information director announced his retirement. After 37 years as the SID for Grizzly Athletics, Dave Guffey will conclude his tenure on June 30. The University of Montana will never be the same.

Affectionately referred to as “Guff,” the name is and forever will be synonymous with GRIZ. For the better half of my own stint with Grizzly Athletics, I had the distinct privilege of working right next door to the legend. Although it took some time for me to earn his respect, we developed a wonderful working relationship. The personal friendship was just as nice.

Dave Guffey with the Big Sky Conference championship trophy after the men’s basketball team clinched a spot in the NCAA Tournament in 2012.

With the role that I held, Dave and I worked closely each day. He would give me daily notices on all releases he would send out. He routinely asked me to proof his work (a huge honor for me). He would never leave me in the dark on anything. If I had a question about the sports industry or wanted clarification about something that was happening in the department, he would always fill me in. He always made sure I was taken care of when it came to credentials for away events. He graciously would single me out in meetings, both ones where I was present and wasn’t present, for a job well done. He would always stick up for me.

For everything that he gave me, I tried to do what I could to pay him back at least a little bit. I helped him out with website graphics, filled him in on breaking news that came out via the digital avenue, set him up with social media accounts, and gave him crash courses on topics such as Photoshop and Twitter. Light stuff compared to what he did on my behalf.

Dave up in the press box just this past spring serving as the public address announcer for one of the spring football scrimmages.

Dave taught me a lot too. With just a wall separating us, I observed a lot and learned a lot. I learned about media relations. I learned about long hours. I learned about accuracy. I learned about pressure. I learned about people who think they are always owed tickets or a credential. I learned about the intricacies of being the point person for nationally recognized football and men’s basketball programs. I learned that the job of a sports information director doesn’t just revolve around writing game recaps.

You know, some people might say that Guff could be a hard-ass. Well, if you are a sports information director for an athletic department such as Montana you kind of have to put up that front. But the truth is, Dave Guffey is one of the kindest, warmest, most loyal people you will meet. Remember how above I said that beyond the working relationship there was a friendship?

I fondly remember our many talks on the sidelines during football practices both about sports and not about sports. I look back and smile at the various nights where we got to share cocktails together. I remember late nights after basketball games in the office with us bantering back and forth. I remember the unwavering support he gave me when I moved on from Grizzly Athletics. I remember even the little things such as how well he treated my visitors who came by the office to the $50 gift card he gave me to the Montana Club at Christmas. They don’t come much classier than Guff.

Dave and I watched the conclusion of a Griz basketball road game in his office during the 2013-14 season.

When the day comes for Dave Guffey to be enshrined into the Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame I hope I am there. I want to hear his speech, see his plaque, and witness all of the past coaches/players/administrators who attend it. Mostly though, I want to attend the killer party that I know will follow.

Enjoy the last several months on the job, Dave. You have meant a lot to me and helped shape who I am as a professional. Don’t Blink.

What I Need to Really Enjoy a Movie

Posted on September 2, 2014 by brent

When I watch my four or five movies per week at my apartment during the wee hours of the night, I always have a certain option turned on…closed captioning!. If it is available with the certain DVD, I will no doubt let the captions roll across the screen for the duration of the film. For me, it greatly enhances my viewing experience.

I admit, my hearing isn’t my best sense. I much rather celebrate my superb vision. While I can see the ESPN sports ticker crystal clear from 100 feet away, I commonly ask people to repeat what they say. With some movies, no matter how loud I turn it up, the tone is sometimes so soft that I would need to rewind a couple times to completely understand what was being said. With captions turned on I understand everything the first time through. Yes, I utilize captions for their most basic intended purpose.

However, closed captioning does more than just help the hearing impaired follow the dialogue in movies. It also enables the viewer to pick up on much more than if the captions were turned off. Many times for movies the closed captioning is not just well done, it is also very in depth and all-encompassing. Character mutters, random background conversations, and even song lyrics are all spelled out across your screen. Things that weren’t even meant to be picked up by the most observant, best hearing individuals are made available to anyone who has captions turned on. Sometimes these “hidden” comments made visible by closed captioning are funny, sometimes they are dark, and sometimes they reveal important information. They provide better understanding to the movie, a behind-the-scenes type feel almost.

Finally, just because it is my nature, I like closed captioning because it puts you one step ahead of everything. Most captions appear right before the actor speaks them. If you are at a 6th grade reading level you can read the entire line of what someone is going to say before they even begin to speak the first word. Now I know this bugs the heck out of some people who watch movies with me but I love it. I like to brace myself for what is coming and if I know the dialogue before the character actually engages in it, I feel much more at ease.

People say I totally defeat the purpose of watching a movie when I am pretty much reading it at the same time. But I don’t think they understand me. Like I said above, following along with closed captioning increases my enjoyment of watching films. It helps me relax more and it assures me that I am getting the most out of the movie. If you despise closed captioning, stop by my apartment when I am watching a football game instead. Don’t Blink.

Don't Blink

By Brent Reser

Monthly Archives: September 2014