June 2021

June 2021
Christian Heimall

(BA, Broadcast Journalism, ’11)

Q & A:

• What was your favorite class, who was your favorite professor, or what is your fondest memory of Hofstra?
  My favorite memories never happened in a class; they were always somewhere on campus being with friends. Working at WRHU was my biggest reason for choosing Hofstra. Sitting in the conference room with the other students, preparing for broadcasts with friends, spending time at practice with different sports teams, and getting to really know the staff and faculty within the communications and athletic departments was the best. The friendships I still have with many of those people are some of the closest I’ve ever had.
• What was your first job after graduating from Hofstra, and what was the most valuable thing learned in that position?
  Right after graduation in 2011, I was the media relations director and broadcaster for the Vermont Mountaineers, a summer wood bat league team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League that was coached by Hofstra Baseball Coach John Russo. The biggest thing that job taught me was personal responsibility. It’s one thing to attend class or try to juggle a social life and a job during college, but it’s another thing to ensure you’re really taking care of all your responsibilities in the “real world” – when eyes are on you and people have more expectations of you.
• What is your field of specialty, and how did you come to work in the industry?
  While I do work technically in baseball, I would say the field of entertainment is my specialty. My daily tasks ultimately come down to ensuring the fan experience is the best possible, whether during a Rockers game, a charity event, a concert, or a private event. I’ve always wanted to work in baseball, so when I finally got the chance to do it full time, I wanted to learn everything. That allowed me to learn how to do promotions and in-game entertainment, to understand and execute the things needed to make sure people have the best time doing it. The on-air opportunities I had at WRHU allowed me to grow and explore my personality and creativity to the point where I use that every day to showcase the kind of environment we create at the ballpark on a nightly basis.
• What advice would you give Hofstra students?
  I would say my biggest piece of advice is to not be afraid to go for it. If you have a passion, even if it’s one that parents, friends, professors, may think is crazy, do it. I was very fortunate to achieve one of my dreams of being a paid radio play-by-play announcer. It wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t take a job in the middle of Vermont or push away the people who said, “that industry doesn’t pay well” or “you need to give up on that.” Whatever your passion is, go after it.
• In one word, how would you describe Hofstra?
  Opportunity. The location, professors, schools, and technology that the students have at Hofstra opens up a world of possibility.
• What started your passion for baseball?
  I just always loved the sport. The way the game is played and the fact that the world really does play it is so much fun. My first game as a kid was at Fenway Park in Boston, and I fell in love with the atmosphere: the sounds, the sights, the smells, everything. I love how difficult it is to play and how so many incredible feats are rare (like a perfect game) adds to the aura. Plus, when you think about the fact that there is no time limit and that anything can happen at any moment, it just adds to the excitement.
• You hold a special distinction as the first person to ever propose during a High Point Rockers game. What inspired you to do this?
  Haha, that’s a really funny story. I wanted to do something big and special; we had just celebrated our five-year anniversary the week prior, and I wanted to go all out. I asked both our parents to come down and a lot of friends to come in for the weekend, rented out a Team Suite, and did it in front of 4,000 people on a Fireworks Night. The problem – I remembered just as I was walking on the field to do it – was that she told me early in our relationship that she never wanted to get proposed to at a sporting event. Oops! She still said yes, and we are really excited about our wedding this fall.
• How has your degree from Hofstra helped you in your current position?
  I think the biggest thing it’s helped with is understanding the “on-air” requirements for our fan experience. As a former broadcaster, I like to think I have a good ear for on-air talent, whether it be a radio broadcaster or our on-field emcee, who is the fun face of the game experience. The biggest thing I learned from WRHU that has helped me here is allowing students to make mistakes and grow. That is how we operate our internships and even some of our younger full-time staff: Give people a chance to learn.
• What is the single most rewarding/exciting experience in your career thus far?
  May 2, 2019. Without a doubt. I was hired in High Point as the second person to help build a brand-new team and completely brand-new stadium. When we finally opened on 5/2/19, we had over 5,000 people experience an atmosphere and an event that had never happened in this city before. It was really rewarding to watch all those people enjoy a beautiful new facility with a rockin’ experience. It helped that we won that night too!