Great Lakes Broadcast and Sports Media Academy

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Thursday, November 2, 2023 | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm | Ford Field, Detroit

The Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) partner to help students launch careers in media at the Great Lakes Broadcast & Sports Media Academy.

The full-day event allowed those interested in a career in media to connect with Michigan TV and Radio stations during a career fair, network with peers, and learn from some of the industry's leading talent in every aspect of media - on-air, engineering, sales, programming, and production. The Academy welcomed future broadcasters to connect, engage, and have some fun at one of Michigan's marquee venues.

Keynote Conversation

Craig Monroe
Former Major League Baseball Player and Current Detroit Tigers Broadcaster

We are excited to welcome former Major League Baseball Player and current Detroit Tigers broadcaster Craig Monroe to the Great Lakes Broadcast and Sports Media Academy on Thursday, November 2nd at Ford Field in Detroit.

Craig will share how his experiences as a player have translated to a career behind the mic and share advice for a successful media career during the Keynote Conversation during the opening session from 9A-10A.

Craig played for the Tigers from 2002 – 2007 including a trip to the world series in 2006. In 2012 he started his on-air career as a studio analyst for Bally Sports Detroit. He became the primary analyst in 2023 and joined the Detroit Tigers Radio Network in 2022 alongside Dan Dickerson on select road game.

Student Talent Showcase: Highlight Your Broadcast Skills

In partnership with State Champs! Sports Network, students will have the opportunity to practice being a broadcaster. Record news and sports stories with a teleprompter with Ford Field as a backdrop, test your interview skills as you ask questions to broadcast celebrities, use a green screen to deliver your own weather forecast via the WILX-TV Weather Experience, and put your best face forward with a free headshot to supplement your resume and online profiles, sponsored by Midwest Communications, Inc.

Sessions and Speakers

Session Group 1, 10:15 - 11:00 am

Women Shaping Broadcast Media’s Present & Future

In an era of unprecedented media evolution, this session brings together women who are defining the present and future of broadcast media. Explore the journeys of remarkable women who are creating new opportunities for those who follow in their footsteps. From newsrooms to production studios, from radio waves to streaming services, these women have transformed the way we engage with information and entertainment. They will share their achievements, lessons learned, and the strategies they've employed to overcome obstacles.

Rachael Gray & Jackie Green, The Gray & Green Show, WHTS-FM (Grand Rapids)

Rachael Gray & Jackie Green are hosts of The Gray and Green Show on 105.3 HOT FM. Also known as West Michigan's FIRST all-female morning show! This MAB award winning duo, that started as a podcast many years ago, is heard weekday mornings live and local in Grand Rapids! They cover everything from the days trending topics to mental health and sharing their most embarrassing moments as parents and women. Look for The Gray & Green Show wherever you get your podcast!

Shaina Humphries, Anchor, CBS News WWJ-TV (Detroit)

Born and raised in suburban Chicago, Shaina Humphries is thrilled to return home to the Midwest as an anchor for CBS News Detroit. The chance to be part of the newsroom's historic launch - with its streaming-first mentality and mission to deliver next-generation storytelling - was an opportunity she knew she couldn't pass up.

Before joining CBS, Shaina was a main evening anchor at Fox29 News in Philadelphia. There, she helped guide viewers through the tumultuous early days of the COVID pandemic and several weeks of protests and violent unrest sparked by the 2020 killing of George Floyd. In 2021, she was awarded a Mid-Atlantic Emmy for live breaking news coverage.

She began her career in Des Moines, Iowa. As a reporter and anchor for KCCI 8 News, she covered four election cycles - interviewing local and federal lawmakers, candidates and a future president along the way. She also led KCCI's yearlong State of Addiction initiative with in-depth reports on Iowa's opioid epidemic, in addition to her role as the station's first 9 pm anchor. She received an Upper Midwest Emmy Award for her work on a roundtable discussion about the early impact of the #MeToo movement.

In 2020, Shaina decided to transition away from the straightened hairstyles she'd been wearing her entire life. While reporting on the natural hair movement and the CROWN Act, she shared her personal journey with viewers in Philadelphia. She hopes to be another example in the media proving that all hair is "good hair" and that beauty and professionalism are not exclusive to one ethnicity or hair texture.

When she's not working, Shaina likes to stay active – from weightlifting and cycling, to exploring Metro Detroit, to traveling the world with her other half, Scott. She's naturally a lover of television and relishes this Golden Age of TV shows. In particular, she enjoys geeking out over MTV's long-running competitive reality show, The Challenge, including the franchise's latest spinoff on CBS.

Debbie Petersmark, Vice President/General Manager, WILX-TV (Lansing)

Debbie Petersmark serves as Vice President/General Manager of WILX Media, a Gray Television station which operates WILX-TV 10 (NBC), WILX.com, and WILX Digital. Debbie joined the station in 2000 as an Account Executive and served as General Sales Manager from 2014-2018. She is currently the 2023/2024 Chair of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors.

Prior to joining WILX, she spent 10 years with Sparrow Foundation as the manager of the Children’s Miracle Network, where she led the fundraising efforts for the Regional Children’s Center and produced an annual telethon. She serves as a board member for the American Red Cross, Mid-Michigan Chapter and on the Sparrow Foundation Board of Directors. Debbie grew up in an entrepreneurial family, working from a young age at Holden Reid Clothiers, a long-standing Lansing business founded by her grandfather. A lifelong resident of East Lansing, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University. She and her husband Mike live in East Lansing with their three children, Andrew, Megan and Owen.

Jade Springart, Program Director/Midday Host, WRIF-FM (Detroit)

Jade was born and raised in Detroit Rock City and grew up listening to Led Zeppelin, The Who, Tom Petty, etc. In high school she tried multiple different styles from cheerleader to goth but couldn’t do gymnastics and couldn’t get her eyeliner dark enough. She settled on jeans and a t-shirt, playing sports and making normal situations overly awkward.

Springart joined the legendary WRIF-FM as an intern 17 years ago, and worked her way up through the ranks the old-fashioned way: first as a part-time weekend jock, then as the primary fill-in host. She next took on programming duties of the station’s “Riff-2” HD subchannel, before becoming the full-time WRIF midday host. In 2021, Springart was named Program Director for WRIF-FM, the first female in the station's 50-year history to have this role.

When she’s not making bad jokes on the radio you can find her shanking golf balls into the woods on the golf course and drinking beers at the bar.

The Art of Storytelling: Crafting Compelling Narratives

Elevate your reporting with the transformative power of storytelling. The panel of veteran journalists will explore how to make complex issues relatable, memorable, and engaging. Discover the balance between factual accuracy and emotional connection in reporting.

Max Goldwasser, Reporter/Anchor, WXMI Fox 17 (Grand Rapids)

Max Goldwasser is a four-time award-winning reporter and Emmy-nominated anchor with FOX 17 in West Michigan. He just flipped his career calendar into year three at the Scripps-owned station (year six in the industry) and has led the coverage of several major events and breaking news stories.

When a school shooting shook the campus of Michigan State University in February 2023, Max helped walk viewers through real-time updates from law enforcement while providing important context to the delicate circumstances.

Max rushed to Gaylord, Michigan in May 2022 to provide a firsthand perspective of the damage left behind by a historic EF3 tornado, which included the emotional experiences of people who lost their homes, and others who lost friends, in the devastation.

It’s not all bad news with Max, though.

In fact, he spearheaded the creation of an innovative show called FOX 17 Unfiltered that focused on highlighting unique, positive and uplifting stories in the West Michigan community. Every weekday for more than a year, the 30-minute program offered refreshing relief to the traditionally negative news cycle.

While attention to detail and a critical eye are important in this industry, they are also the bare minimum. Max believes the best journalists, with the biggest impacts, also have these three traits in common: authenticity, creativity and empathy.

Rachel Ishikawa, Podcast Producer, Michigan Radio (Ann Arbor)

Al Martin, Sports Host/Reporter, WKAR Public Media (East Lansing)

Al Martin is on the WKAR News team as a regular sports contributor and plays a key sports reporting and content role on all other WKAR media platforms.

Prior to joining WKAR in April 2013, Martin was a sports reporter at WLNS-TV/6 in Lansing, Michigan.

The Detroit native is a 2012 graduate of the College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University. His passion for sports journalism began as a high school student when he was sports editor of his school paper.

The Production Power of Editing a Good Promo

In broadcast media, you only have a short time to capture the attention of your audience. In this session, learn some essential techniques and strategies behind the art of promotional video editing that can transform a simple concept into an irresistible call to action.

This session is designed for aspiring editors, content creators, marketers, and anyone interested in understanding the intricate process of crafting a successful promo that leaves a lasting impression.

Mike Stewart, Director of Creative Services, WWJ-TV (Detroit)

Mike Stewart is a seasoned media professional with a career spanning over two decades. Starting as a Promotion Producer in 1995, Mike quickly made a mark in the industry, earning Regional Emmy Awards for exceptional video editing skills. After a brief stint as a News Assignment Editor, Mike transitioned to become a Topical Producer, steadily climbing the ranks to eventually assume the role of Creative Services Director.

With a diverse career journey, Mike has contributed his writing, directing, design, and editing talents to renowned media outlets such as NBC affiliate KPRC in Houston, as well as CBS's KTVT/KTXA in Dallas, KFMB in San Diego, and KCTV/KSMO in Kansas City.

Currently, Mike brings his brand and marketing expertise to the CBS O&O duopoly in Detroit, where he plays a pivotal role at WWJ and WKBD, including the recent launch of CBS News Detroit.

Beyond his professional achievements, Mike finds joy in family life, with a beautiful wife and two daughters whose endless fascination with making TikTok videos may lead to them following in their dad's footsteps.

Session Group 2, 11:15 am - 12:00 pm

From Athletes to Analysts: The Game of Preparation, More than X’s and O’s

Like athletes, the best broadcasters practice and prepare to be ready for the spotlight. This panel of former athletes have seamlessly transitioned from the field to the broadcasting booth and will offer an in-depth and unique perspective into their process. Explore the art of effective communication in the world of sports broadcasting with tips on delivering engaging commentary, captivating stories, and expert analysis to keep viewers and listeners enthralled.

Jehuu Caulcrick, Former NFL Player and Michigan Panthers Commentator, WJR-AM (Detroit)

Jehuu Caulcrick is a former college and NFL running back, turned professional. His journey began at Clymer Central School, one of the smallest high schools in Western New York, where he discovered his passion for football after initially seeking soccer. This unexpected turn led him to a remarkable high school football career, highlighted by his role as a driving force behind Clymer's four consecutive Section VI Class D championships and four state final four appearances, including a state Class D championship game in 1999. With an astonishing 6,559 career rushing yards and 101 rushing touchdowns, Caulcrick's prowess earned him widespread recognition, crowned by his selection as the Western New York Player of the Year.

Upon entering Michigan State University, Caulcrick's football journey continued as he flourished on the field while pursuing a major in sociology. His collegiate years saw him excel in various roles within the team, from tailback to part-time fullback, displaying his versatility and adaptability. Throughout his time with the Spartans, Caulcrick left a mark, ranking 10th in the university's history with 2,395 career yards and earning distinction as the second all-time leader in career rushing touchdowns.

Transitioning to the NFL, Caulcrick played for the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Buffalo Bills over five productive years. His accomplishments on the field, both in college and the professional league, attested to his commitment and skill.

Transitioning from the field to the broadcasting booth, Caulcrick acts as the sideline reporter for Michigan State University and Color analyst for the USFL Michigan Panthers. In addition to this he hosts an established Podcast, This is Sparta MSU covering all things Michigan State Athletics. Caulcrick is an accomplished public speaker motivating a variety of groups and audiences speaking to his endured life experiences.

In his current role as the Director of Engagement for CrossFire Group and MedNational Staffing, Caulcrick brings a multifaceted perspective shaped by his experiences on and off the field. His journey from a small high school athlete to an accomplished player, coach, and professional demonstrates an unwavering commitment to growth and excellence.

Jon Jansen, Stoney and Jansen, WXYT-FM-97.1 The Ticket (Detroit)

Jon Jansen grew up in the small town of Clawson, MI. Clawson is a suburb in the Metro Detroit area. He attended the University of Michigan, from 1994-1999, where he graduated with a degree from the school of Kinesiology.

While at Michigan he was a member of the football program and was elected twice by his teammates to lead them as their Captain. As Captain, his teams won the 1997 National Championship and the 1998 Big Ten Championship. An All-American in 1998, he started a record 50 games and earned the nickname "Rock" for his leadership, toughness and dependability.

In 1999 Jon was selected by the Washington Redskins with the 37th overall pick. He played in Washington for 10 seasons, elected by his teammates in just his 3rd season as their Captain. He played his final season in Detroit and retired after training camp in 2010 due to an accumulation of injuries. Toughness was a trademark for Jansen, playing one season with casts on both hands after breaking both of them in the opening week of the season.

Throughout Jon's playing career, he worked with and in the media, in many different capacities, including writing for the Washington Times and Detroit Free Press, co-host of Monday Night Live on Comcast, and work with various other media outlets. In his second career he has continued his work in the media providing expert analysis on the NFL and NCAA Football, for most major news outlets, ABC, CBS, ESPN, NFL Films, Big Ten Network, NFL Network, and CrossFit Media.

Jon spent 3 years with the Big Ten Network. While there he worked in the studio on the Next Level and BTN Live and on Saturday, provided color analysis from the booth as well as expert insight from the sidelines.

Currently, he has partnered with the University of Michigan Athletics and IMG Broadcasting as co-host of the Michigan Football Tailgate and pre game show as well as providing halftime and post game analysis. You can also hear him on "Stoney and Jansen" on WXYT-FM-97.1 The Ticket (Detroit).

In his spare time, he owns and operates CrossFit Petoskey, providing Northern Michigan with an elite training facility, based on functional movements and training.

Jeanna Trotman, Sports Anchor/Reporter, WXYZ-TV (Detroit)

Jeanna Trotman is the weekend sports anchor on 7 Action News at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on WXYZ, and at 10 p.m. on WMYD. She is also a sports reporter during the week, working in collaboration with Sports Director Brad Galli.

Trotman was born in Detroit and raised in Detroit sports. Aside from the normal first words, Trotman’s parents say the first thing she really said as a baby was “pull the goalie” during a Red Wings playoff run in the 1990s. If she wasn’t watching sports, she was playing sports and always loved to write. Trotman was raised as the only girl in her family so growing a career in sports journalism was a natural path.

She graduated from Henry Ford II High School in Sterling Heights before earning a Communication degree at Lake Superior State University in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. While in college, Trotman was a four-year NCAA Division-II student-athlete playing volleyball at LSSU. As a junior in college, Trotman interned at WXYZ in the Sports Department with Don Shane, Tom Leyden, and Brad Galli in his first year at the station. After college, Trotman completed a Master's degree in Broadcast Journalism with a specialization in Sports Reporting at Boston University.

Trotman’s first job in television was in 2014 at KAAL, the ABC affiliate in Rochester, Minnesota where she served as Sports Director. Trotman then returned to her home state of Michigan in 2017, working as Sports Director at WEYI/WSMH, the NBC and FOX affiliate in Flint. Trotman made it back to WXYZ in 2021 to rejoin the sports department she once interned in. Trotman has covered everything from the NHL playoffs and the NCAA basketball National Championship to the Ryder Cup and high school state championships. However, with professional to collegiate sports experience, Trotman prides herself on storytelling with an emphasis on local sports. Going from a small market to her hometown of Detroit, Trotman values and understands the role sports plays within a community.

She married Zach Trotman in 2017 after meeting each other as college student-athletes at LSSU. Zach is retired from the NHL after nearly ten years of playing for the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Trotman family resides in Metro Detroit with their son Luca and German Shepherd Murphy.

Marlee Wierda, Sports Reporter, WOOD-TV 8 (Grand Rapids)

Marlee Wierda joined WOOD TV8 as a sports reporter and weekend sports anchor in January 2022.

Prior to coming to Grand Rapids, Marlee spent three years as the weekend anchor in Champaign, Illinois, where she covered the Fighting Illini, including the 2021 men’s basketball team, who won a Big Ten Tournament Championship. She has traveled around the country covering Illini sports and is excited to stay in Big Ten territory.

Born and raised in South Florida, Marlee moved north to attend Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, and spent all four years playing for the women’s volleyball team. During her time as an Ithaca College Bomber, Marlee earned two conference titles and finished her final season in the NCAA National Championship Final Four (which was played in Grand Rapids).

She has also played a role in the coverage of two Olympic games, freelancing for both the 2016 and 2018 Olympics at NBC Sports’ headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

Besides sports, Marlee also has a passion for traveling. After graduating from Ithaca College, Marlee spent four months living in Madrid, Spain. She also speaks Spanish and enjoys cooking and playing volleyball in her free time.

Embracing AI to Enhance Your Future

The transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries, economies, and even the way we live, learn, and work. But how does it factor in to the future of media? Learn tools, tricks, and the ethics needed to enhance your role as a media professional.

Zena Burns, SVP, Content & Special Projects, Futuri

Detroit native is SVP, Content and Special Projects, at Futuri, whose AI-driven audience engagement and sales intelligence technology is relied on by thousands of the top broadcasters worldwide. Prior to Futuri, Burns was SVP, Programming Partnerships, in iHeartMedia’s National Programming Group, having started at then-Clear Channel NYC in 2006 as the radio industry’s first Digital Program Director. She’s also a proud alumnus of Teen People Magazine, where, as Entertainment Director and Music Editor, she played a key role in driving pop culture and giving early looks to countless numbers of today’s superstars. Burns also hosts the podcast My 23-Year-Old Self: True Stories From the Come Up. The show features candid discussions with successful women in media, entertainment, and technology about how they’ve navigated their male-heavy industries, and the advice they’d give their younger selves for doing so.

Rob Davidek, Program/News Director, WWJ-AM, Audacy (Detroit)

Rob Davidek has been the news director at WWJ Newsradio 950, Michigan’s only all-news radio station, since 2007 and picked up the additional duties of brand manager in 2013. He joined WWJ in July 1993 as a part-time producer and has worked as morning drive producer, assignment editor and assistant news director. Before WWJ, he worked at WKZO in Kalamazoo and WMSH in Sturgis. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in broadcasting and cinematic arts. He lives in Livonia.

From Concept to Completion: The Wizardry of Sales and Marketing

Want a career that can be flexible and lucrative, welcome broadcast media sales and marketing. In this session, you’ll learn about turning ideas into remarkable success stories that help businesses grow and connect with audiences.

Dan Cash, VP/Market Manager, Midwest Communications, Inc.

A native of Novi, Michigan, and a graduate of Western Michigan University, Dan began his career in radio after responding to an email at WMU to apply for an internship at WKZO radio in Kalamazoo. After a little over a year, Midwest Communications purchased WKZO, and even though Dan wasn't on the employee list, he was granted an interview with the new company. This has blossomed into a 17-year career with Midwest Communications during which he has served as a sports show host, producer, Director of New Media, and Digital Sales Manager before taking a trip in May of 2013 to see the new stations purchased in Fargo, North Dakota.

Dan relocated to Fargo in 2013 as the Director of Sales for stations in the Fargo-Moorhead area. In 2017, he accepted the position of VP and Market Manager, a role he has held ever since. Dan lives in south Fargo with his wife Kayla (a former TV marketing consultant turned wedding venue owner) and his two cats, Dash and Molly. His Mom, Lori, Dad, Steve, and brothers Bob and Mike still reside in Commerce Township, so he visits metro Detroit often.

In his spare time, Dan and his brothers host a fantasy sports YouTube show called "Two Fantasy Idiots," which keeps him connected to what he originally entered the radio industry to do.

Kara Damm, General Sales Manager, WLUC-TV (Marquette)

Kara Damm is General Sales Manager at WLUC in Marquette, Michigan. Kara started her career in broadcast at WLUC as an Account Executive in 2017, became Local Sales Manager in April of 2019, and was recently named General Sales Manager in February of this year.

Kara oversees all local and national sales and helps achieve revenue goals for both Agency and Direct clients across all platforms. Her focus is to understand business objectives for clients and to develop effective advertising strategies to help reach and exceed these objectives.

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