ASA member Jerry Canaan can tell you from experience that changing professions
is never easy, but the end result can be very rewarding. Canaan recently
iced his legal career to become the radio and TV personality of the Augusta
Lynx hockey team of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).
Canaan, who received his
law degree in 1991 from the University of Richmond, clerked for two years
with the Supreme Court of Virginia before going into private practice.
He also taught entertainment and copyright law at J. Sargeant Community
College. Although his career seemed promising, Canaan soon realized that
practicing law was not what he really wanted to do.
While attending a career
counseling course, Canaan discovered two things: his love of sports and
his passion for performing.
When he combined these
interests, sports broadcasting seemed to be a logical career to pursue.
Canaan began taking weekend classes at the Columbia School of Broadcasting,
in Arlington, where he received positive feedback about his broadcasting
ability. He also attended a sportscasting seminar in Los Angeles, where
he was also praised for his work.
Soon after, Canaan called
Andy Davis, voice of the Richmond Renegades of the ECHL, and offered his
services just to gain experience. Surprisingly, Davis allowed Canaan to
handle some of his radio broadcasts. Canaan also hooked up with the Virginia
News Network, agreeing to do the weekend grave yard shift while still
practicing law full time and teaching his classes.
Canaan's big chance to
leave his law practice behind for good came when he learned that the Lynx
hockey team, formerly of Raleigh, NC, was relocating to Augusta, GA, and
was in need of a radio and TV man. Out of a highly competitive field of
applicants, Canaan landed the job. He will be calling the action for the
Lynx when they begin play in the ECHL in the fall.
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