Buies Creek—Campbell Communication Studies students were treated to the humor and wisdom of guest speaker Mick Mixon, sports announcer for the Carolina Panthers football teamon Thursday, Feb. 3. Mixon, who is known for his colorful commentary, shared his experiences with students in the Sports Reporting class conducted by AdjunctProfessor Stan Cole.
Mixon focused the attention on the students. “On a scale of one to 10, how happy are you? Why are you passionate about sports? What makes you want to be a sports broadcaster?” he asked them individually.
“You should be able to very quickly tell an audience something outstanding about the players,” Mixon said. “One of the keys to life itself is the ability to become insatiably curious, learn about others. I want you to leave Professor Cole’s class today a more curious person.”
In a gray wool suit and white sneakers, Mixon explained the “Three Cs” of being a good broadcaster—curiosity, questions and creativity.
“Everyone has a story to tell,” he said. “Everyone has a professional side and they have a human side. The object is to develop curiosity into interesting questions that reveal something unusual about the subject.”
Born and raised in Chapel Hill, Mixon joined the Tar Heel Sports Network in 1989 and served alongside Woody Durham on radio broadcasts of men’s basketball and football games as a color analyst. He also served as play-by-play voice of the Maine Guides of the Class AAA International League and as sports director of WCGC Radio in Belmont, N.C. In 2005, Mixon became the play-by-play announcer for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. He was named the North Carolina Sportscaster of the year in 1999, 2004 and 2009. Mixon is the only non-official to be inducted into the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Officials Association.
“Mick has been generous with his time over the last decade, visiting our sports reporting class on several occasions,” said Cole. He is genuinely interested in nurturing the growth of aspiring journalists and public relations professionals. Not only does he call on decades of experience in the broadcasting and teaching professions, but Mick is truly one of the most entertaining speakers you find. His wit and humor, coupled with the message he delivers, are always well-received by our students. We are so grateful that a professional with such a busy schedule continues to give his time to our program and Campbell.”
Photo Copy: Mick Mixon, broadcaster for the Carolina Panthers, speaks to Communication Studies class. (Photo by communications studies student Will Bratton)