Didn't know how to title this entry, but I wanted to give a list of most interesting people I have interviewed in the course of my career.
I started working in television at KPIC in Roseburg back in 1990. So I've had the chance to talk to a lot of people over the years. People may think going into locker rooms is real glamorous. It's basically just a bunch of guys with towels on putting lotion and jewelry on. Okay... lets start the list.
10) Roseburg High School Football Coach Thurman Bell- Maybe because it was my first job in TV, but Bell really made an impresion on me. This guy eats, sleeps, and drinks football. I think he's been at Roseburg for about 30 years and knows more about football than a lot of Division one coaches. I remember videotaping a practice at Roseburg and Thurman came up to me to make sure I wasn't shooting any wide shots. High School Football ? He was so paranoid about this footage getting down to Medford, that he restricted me from shooting various shots. They say all geniuses are a little off-kilter, and as far as football goes, Thurman borders on genius.
9) Former Duck Tight End Josh Wilcox- He was smart and crazy all rolled up into one. He went to Junction City High School and then was a great player for the Ducks. Whether the Ducks won or loss everyone went to Josh for the quotes. He said what was on his mind with no fear of reprisal from the coaching staff. It's not often that a Tight End becomes the leader of a football team, but ask anyone on that Rose Bowl team and they'll tell you Josh was a guy everyone rallied around. Wilcox eventually became a pro wrestler. Enough said.
8) Mike Riley- Put football aside for a second. I just like Mike. He's a good man. I started covering Oregon State full-time in the fall of 1996. Back then there was no talk about bowl games, no indoor practice facility, and no Valley Football Center. Some days I was the only person after practice interviewing players and coaches. After I introduced myself to Mike the first time he never forgot it. We even joke around to this day what it was like after practices back then. Say what you want about his coaching style, but as a human being, he's salt of the earth.
7) Martell Webster- I've only known Martell a couple months but I'm sold. If there's a Martell Webster Fan Club I want in. There is no doubt in my mind he will turn into a real good NBA player some day. But besides that I have never met a more mature 18 year-old in my life. When I was 18 I was stuttering asking a girl out ona date. Martell gives interviews like a savvy veteran. I do have one bone to pick with him. I'm pretty sure he thinks my first name is Pivo. Since the day I introduced myself to him he's always called me Pivo. It's not a big deal, I've been called worse. Regardless, I'm on the Martell bandwagon and no one is going to push me off.
6) Former Duck Quarterback Jason Fife- Interviewing Jason Fife was like talking to a good friend. He was very accomodating and always had time for everyone. I remember after the Seattle Bowl the Ducks got beat by Wake Forest and it was a real down time for the team. I asked Jason after the game if he would go live with us in 5 minutes. He said yes and did the interview. Just so you know, 99 percent of the athletes in this world would have said no. Jason saw how some former Ducks weren't great with the media and he wasn't going to follow in their footsteps.
5) J.R. Rider- I wasn't here for the entire J.R. Rider era, but I caught the tail end. I put him on my list because he was so unusual. He obviously had some problems during his NBA career, but in front of the camera he was a sound bite a minute. Rider was well-spoken and believe it or not, pretty accomodating. However, I do remember this one time when he had a great playoff game and knew everyone wanted to get talk to him. We were waiting and waiting and time was of the essence. I look over and Rider is actually brushing his diamond earrings with his toothbrush. But when he was ready to talk he was great.
4) Pilots Basketball Coach Michael Holton- If I had a son who was being recruited to play college basketball I send him to Holton for 4 years. Holton just "gets" what being a college basketball coach is all about. It's not always on that 40 x 90 chunk of wood where your education comes about. The things he teaches his players goes far beyond hoops. Coaches all over the country could learn from him.
3) Damon Stoudamire- A lot of athletes have been in front of the camera for so long they've learned all the cliches and they use them at will. Not Damon. He wasn't always in the mood for an interview, but when he got going he was terrific. Damon always spoke from the heart. He never hid a thing. If he was frustrated he said it. If he thought a player was dogging it, he said that too. I know Damon has had his problems off the court but he's put it behind him and hasn't looked back. Besides, how do you not respect a guy who's 5'9" and will end up earning about 100 million dollars in his NBA career ?
2) Former Beavers Running Back Ken Simonton- I don't know what Simonton is doing now. But he'll be a success whatever he does. I've never been around an athlete or coach who was so good stringing great line after great line. There were times when I looked to see if Simonton was reading from a script, but he never was. He was funny, smart, and amazingly quick. This guy definitely had the gift of gab.
1) Ruben Patterson- Maybe because of what's gone on in the last year or so here in Portland I have ranked Ruben so high, but Ruben is flat out gold. Just like Damon, he says what's on his mind. He is as honest as the day is long. What's amazing to me about Ruben is his knowledge about facts and figures. 20 minutes after a game he knows the stat line better than anyone in the locker room. Besides that he can tell you who the team is playing on the upcoming road trip. Ruben is a must interview after any game. If not, you're missing out.
This list is subject to change.
I will not be updating this blog until Sunday, January 22nd. I'm going in search for the sun. There's a rumor that it still exists.
Ron
RPivo@kgw.com
