Alexis Leianna

Jon Laaser is currently the director of broadcasting services at Virginia Tech. Laaser graduated from Brown College in 2001. Before earning his job at Tech, he was best known for his work in minor league baseball with the Richmond Flying Squirrels as well as his employment with Virginia Commonwealth University’s basketball team.

Laaser gave the following interview to Alexis Leianna Walsh.

[Edited for content]

When you started college, did you know that you wanted to go into the broadcasting field?

Yes and no, I came out of high school without much direction. I went to Arizona State University before attending my alma mater, Brown College. I don’t usually include that detail because ASU didn’t go phenomenally well. I wanted to get into journalism — and went to ASU with that intention — but got sidetracked. [There were] a lot of distractions for a Minneapolis kid in the desert. I came back [home] and transferred to Brown College; Brown was really where I found my passion for broadcasting. It was a broadcast-specific institution where you didn’t have to mess around with secondary curriculum.

Why did you decide to focus on sports broadcasting?

I think primarily it was playing sports as a kid. I pretty much played everything growing up [Laughs]. I’m not quite sure why that was the case; I was a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. I had good hand-eye-coordination but no exceptional skills. However, because I was constantly around such a large variety of sports, I developed a deep fascination, understanding and passion for sports broadcasting.

At what point did you recognize that your broadcasting dream was achievable? Two months ago [Laughs] — no, I’m only kidding. I guess my mid-twenty’s — when I was able to support myself through broadcasting — was the sign that my goal was achievable.

Why does the broadcasting field have such a cut-throat reputation?

It’s not a reputation; it’s an actuality. What it boils down to is supply and demand. That’s what makes [broadcasting] a competitive business. That sounds malicious — as if people need to be out there undercutting one another — but that’s not the case. This statement is only particularly true for people who are entering the business; after you begin to gain respect from your contenders, you quickly learn that there’s camaraderie in it all.

You have been referred to as “one of the nation’s rising broadcasting stars.”

[Laughs.] That’s just cliché press release speak. It’s subjective. My current boss, Chris Ferris, was the one who said that. He’s a fantastic guy, and it meant a lot coming from him. All I can really ask at the end of the day is for respect from the industry and my peers. I want to be remembered as someone who gives and receives a unique level of respect and someone who did his job the right way [Laughs], although honestly — I can’t help but look past that statement a little bit — Chris had to say something in the opening line.

Not only was Virginia Tech’s first football game of the season against Ohio State, football’s reigning national champions, but it was also your first game as “The Voice of the Hokies.” Elaborate on your thoughts before, during and after the highly anticipated game.

It was such a whirlwind. You work so hard to put yourself in that position and then it’s “put up or shut up.” There are so few times in life where everything is funneled toward one individual event — I’ve never been married but I would imagine that that was what it’s like — you can’t necessarily look at life [the same way] after that moment. In terms of the actual game, the first quarter was: “Shit, we’re going to lose 60 to nothing and I’m going to be the one held responsible.” The second quarter was: “Shit, we might actually win this game.” The third quarter was: “Shit, Brewer’s down.” [Laughs.] Then finally the fourth quarter was: “Let’s get out of here and grab a beer.” However, under the circumstances, I was pretty pleased with the way the game went; it was overwhelming but definitely extremely unforgettable.

How do you plan to differentiate yourself from the iconic Bill Roth?

We don’t sound anything alike. When you’re talking to Bill, you’re talking to Bill. When you’re talking to me, you’re talking to me. I wouldn’t have taken this job if I felt intimidated following Bill. At some point you have to believe in your own abilities on and off the air.

Do you have any superstitions you follow before you broadcast?

I don’t know why, but I drink a hell of a lot of caffeine. I walk around outside the studio to get my mind off any game day anticipation. [Laughs.] I am also technically as anal as they come; I’m constantly checking the mics and controls.

Have you ever been turned down from a position that you thought was perfect for you?

[Laughs.] Absolutely — this is a business of failure. One of my good friends always used to say: “Everyone sucks at getting their dream job until they get it.” This is absolutely true. For every job that I’ve gotten, I’ve not gotten 99. You have to be mindful that there are countless other talented broadcasters out there who may or may not be better suited for the job. You learn and figure out ways to rationalize rejection with yourself and then move on.

Has it been difficult balancing a personal life with your career obligations?

Yes, extremely [Laughs] — it’s funny that you ask that because I was just thinking when I woke up: “My life is incredibly unbalanced.” I’ve sacrificed starting a family and settling down. I’ve also never bought a house; I always knew I wasn’t going to be in one place all that long.

Will there be a point where you will stop and say, “I’m done”?

I used to joke that life was all about the journey — more than it was the destination — and that I might become “The Voice of the Yankees” for a year, get bored and quit. I’ve learned that there’s a monotony to it all; at the end of the day, sports aren’t the end-all and be-all. There’s still a lot that I want to do. My goal is to experience as much as I can in life and not be a bystander. I’m starting to realize some of my God-given abilities and how I might be able to use them more [effectively] in the future.