I believe in… Bob Adlhoch

Having completed his 13th season of producing Phoenix Suns broadcasts, Bob has been part of the sports production community in the Valley since 1990. After graduating with honors from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University with a BA in broadcast journalism, he worked for 5 years as a freelance graphics operator and producer. His clients, both local and national, included ABC, CBS, ESPN, MLB productions, Prime Sports, ASPN and the Phoenix Suns.

In 1995, Bob joined the production staff at Cox Communications where he spent the next six years producing and directing live sporting events—from Phoenix Suns broadcasts to the High School Football Game of the Week—as well as studio programs. He was part of the team behind the channel launch of Cox 9 (now Cox 7), developing the on-air presentation of the channel as well as its original programming. Always looking for new ways to create value in programming, Bob was instrumental in the live Thursday night high school football broadcasts that have become a programming staple for Cox 7.

The Phoenix Suns hired Bob in 2001 as their TV producer / director. He recently finished his 8th season traveling the country with the team, producing and directing game broadcasts on Fox Sports Arizona and MY45. He has also produced or directed broadcasts for the Arizona Cardinals, Tucson Sidewinders, Phoenix Coyotes and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Bob is the president emeritus of the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (the Emmy Awards) and currently serves on their National Board of Trustees. He is the recipient of 8 Emmy Awards for producing, directing and graphic design and was selected to the 2009 class of the Phoenix Business Journal’s Forty Under 40.

Bob is married to his 5th grade sweetheart, Kellie, and has two children, MacKinley and Jackson..

The following is an essay written exclusively for Fanster by the Phoenix Suns’ Bob Adlhoch

Many years ago I was introduced to a high school student who shared my love of sports and wanted dearly to forge a career in sports media. We stayed in touch through his graduation and subsequent college years in Tucson (poor kid) as he worked for every student media outlet available in the Old Pueblo. Now that “kid” is the Senior Content Director for this website. And wouldn’t you know it, a few days ago he asked me to write a guest column. How time flies. This one’s for you, Greg.

I believe in . . . paying it forward. No matter what you do in life, you will at some point be in a position to help someone else. Seize the opportunity. Anyone who reaches any level of success in life has been assisted along the way. Plus the person you help might hire you someday.

I believe that you must be present to win. Not just at high school football 50/50 raffles – but in life. Remember the past, plan for the future, but live and act in the now. You can’t be in two places at once. Be here. Where the winning and losing takes place.

I believe in rooting for the home team. Without the NFL and MLB in Arizona, I grew up as a Cowboys and Dodgers fan – but my children are growing up as Cardinals and Diamondbacks fans.

I believe the most peaceful and content I have ever felt is while rocking my children back to sleep after 2 AM feedings. Nothing compares. If you’ve done it, you know what I mean. If not, I can’t explain it to you.
I believe in giving compliments.

I believe the greatest smell in sports is freshly cut grass on the first tee. And the worst is an NHL equipment room.

I believe the most perfect dessert ever created is the Rice Krispie Treat.

I believe that John Hughes is the only film maker that didn’t forget what it was like to be 16. The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Weird Science, Ferris Bueller . . . .

I believe that Jerry Rice’s last catch should not have been in a meaningless preseason game wearing a Denver Broncos jersey.

I believe in sending thank you notes.

I believe that championships aren’t necessary to validate great careers. Would you rather be Charles Barkley or Robert Horry? Barry Sanders or Derek Loville? Cary Grant or Ronald Coleman? When you think of Gary Payton, do you remember the Glove in Seattle – the most tenacious, ball hawking point guard of the last 20 years? Or the guy who waved a towel on the Miami Heat bench during their title run of 2006?

I believe in embracing new technology to stay connected. Facebook, Twitter (sorry BTW), LinkedIn – all of it. I don’t have time to call 315 people and tell them about my vacation, but I do like to see a few pictures from theirs. When I change jobs, I’d like to be able to change my profile and have all my contacts know at once. I also believe new technology shouldn’t replace real conversation and human contact, only enhance it.

I believe in meeting the love of your life in 5th grade.

I believe that watching television is like shopping in a grocery store (Pat McMahon’s analogy, but I’m stealing it!) There are a lot of options at the store – and you don’t want it all, but keep your eyes open and you’ll find the good stuff. I also believe that I’m a better person for having read Hemingway, Steinbeck, Fitzgerald, Huxley, King and John Kennedy Toole (you gotta look that one up.) And as hard as I have tried, I don’t believe I understand the greatness of Shakespeare.

I believe that meaningful relationships make the world go around.

I believe in giving people opportunity and putting them in position to succeed.

I believe in embracing the journey. If you are so focused on your goal or the end game, you may miss some great experiences along the way. You can’t take a shortcut to where you are going.

I believe in Jedi Mind Tricks.

I believe that deep down, Mike D’Anotoni wishes he had waited longer than two weeks to assess his employment situation.

I believe the greatest sports moment in my life was Gonzo’s bleeder over Jeter in Game 7. The image of Jay Bell crossing home plate might be the last thing I see before I die.

I believe that the Suns would have been at least the 6th seed if Amar’e and LB hadn’t gotten injured during the stretch run – despite all that happened pre-Gentry. If given the opportunity next season, I believe this same group with Gentry at the helm will be a top 4 seed in the West.

And, in honor of my predecessors in this space, I believe that Todd Walsh is the best sideline reporter in sports television – everyone else is tied for 3rd and it’s not close. And I believe Derrick Hall makes me proud to be a Sun Devil.

Subscribe to your favorite Phoenix team or sport or Follow us on Twitter.