Recently I sat down with local television personality Jerry Anderson to discuss his notable career and considerable contribution to this region. Always humble, honest & never amiss for words; Jerry opened up about his life as a local TV anchorman & unwavering love for this community. In his own words…

J.Rankins – Editor
@johnrankins

Our Neighborhood Growing Up

I was born in Bowling Green at Wood County Hospital but my family actually lived in South Toledo. My mom’s family lived in Bowling Green so we were in town all the time. We eventually moved to BG after my sophomore year of high school to make my dad’s commute easier. ?I went on to graduate from Bowling Green High School.

Dad’s Career in BG

My father worked as an employee at the International Harvester Farm Equipment dealership which was located in the current facility of Thayer Honda. He worked in and managed the parts department, which was important as many farmers repair their own equipment. Eventually, when the previous owner wanted to sell the company, he sold it in equal parts to my dad and his partner, Fred Getz. He ran that business for many years, and I worked for him while I was also working at WFOB Radio.

Education & Training

I went to BGSU in the early 70’s, as a speech major emphasizing in broadcasting. While our family encouraged all of us to go to college, the decision was entirely up to us, and I had to pay my way through college by working at the Food Town Supermarket on North Main. I was fortunate, because what I wanted to study is one of the strong points of BGSU. Moreover, I was able to live at home, which kept expenses down.

Start in Radio

My first paid broadcasting job was at WPOS 102.3, a Christian broadcasting station located in Holland, Ohio. The job was basically queuing up tapes and hitting play, and announcing the station ID at the top of the hour. Working there, I was making $1.10 an hour. My first full-time job was WFOB, where I worked with Dave Carr, doing the BGSU football and basketball games.

Move to Television

Stay Classy Toledo - Hey, it was the 80’s and Anchorman Ron Burgandy had to get his ideas from somebody. Here Jerry covered the 2nd inauguration of Ronald Reagan.

From WFOB Bowling Green, I was aspiring to get into the Toledo market. I sent a tape to WSPD, one of the iconic radio stations of the day. To my surprise, they offered me a part-time utility job, which allowed me to get into Toledo. At that time they were co-owned with Channel 13, and in the September of 1980 I made the jump from radio to television, working full-time as an entry-level reporter. Only fifteen months later, in December of 1981 I got the 6 and 11’o’clock anchor job, working there for thirteen years. I joined WTOL-TV in 1994 to anchor a brand-new newscast, “First at Five” and then later was added at the 6 & 11 p.m. newscast. I’ve had the incredible privilege to cover four national political conventions, three presidential inaugurations, Pope John Paul II’s visit ?to Detroit, and a trip to Yokohama, Japan for an in-depth series comparing the lives of Japanese and American auto workers.

Leisure & Recreation

One of the things I do on a very regular basis is running. I was inspired to start running by my daughter, who ran a half-marathon and challenged me to run one with her. I started training early in 2005 and ran my first half-marathon in April of that year, the first of five. I dabble in music, playing some piano. However, I spend much of my time with my family, and visiting my kids in Columbus and Northeastern Ohio.

Community Viewpoint

I love the sense of community in this town, and the wonderful atmosphere that this community has. I had the opportunity to speak at the Bowling Green State University Retirees Association, and I was able to simply speak with many of these people that I have known for decades, on a first-name basis. I love how the people in this community don’t put on airs, but are who they are.

I play softball at the City Park. My favorite place (of many) in town to eat is Easy Street. I met my wife at S.O.P., (Some Other Place) which is now ?City Tap, and we were married in ?St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. We bike on the trail all the time, and have been season ticket holders for BGSU football for decades.

On Auctioneering

I’ve managed to stay very active in our community with a busy schedule of appearances as Master of Ceremonies or Local Celebrity Auctioneer. In 1992, I actually earned my Ohio Auctioneer’s license for the sole purpose of conducting charity auctions. I will call some 20 charity auctions a year with an emphasis on helping schools, economically-challenged kids and families, faith-based organizations, and the developmentally disabled.

A Lifetime of Giving

To me, it’s all about what you do with the opportunities that you are given. During my career, I was given opportunities that I never deserved. And now, with the media giving me so many opportunities to give back, I’ve opted to accept those opportunities. It’s just expressing gratitude for the many opportunities given to me that I didn’t deserve, by elevating those around you.

Heritage & Legacy

Silver Circle - Last June, the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), the folks who award Emmys, inducted Jerry into its elite “Silver Circle”. Jerry won an Emmy for anchor WTOL-11 News at 11 the same night.

I really just want people to know that I’m just one of them. I don’t hire someone to do my lawn, I’m the guy out there with the backwards cap and old sweat shorts mowing my own lawn, and I’m proud of that. Also, while my broadcasting job is why people know me, it’s not nearly as important to me as my role as a husband and a father. In fact, I’ve come to realize that everything good in my life has come from two sources: my family and my faith. And I’ve made a commitment to put those two first, even turning down prestigious job opportunities if they would take me away from my family.

Spotlight & Awards

1999 & 2002 – Crystal Awards of Excellence. Two additional Crystal Awards of Merit from Women in Communication for his reporting while at WTOL-TV.
2001 – Emmy Award for Outstanding News Anchor in the NATAS region.
2001 – Sole reporter and principal writer of WTOL’s 18-part, post 9-11 series, “Families Coping”, won the regional Edward R. Murrow award for “Best News Series.”
2005 – Toledo City Paper “Best Journalist” in the City Paper’s “Best of…” survey.
2006, 2007, & 2009 – Toledo City Paper “Best TV Anchor” in the paper’s annual “Best of…” poll.
2007 – The Press Club of Toledo honored Jerry with its prestigious “Golden Touchstone” award for his “substantial, positive impact on journalism in the Greater Northwest Ohio region.
2008 – Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters “Best News Anchor” in Ohio.
2009 – Sixth & Seventh Emmy nominations from the Cleveland region of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
2009 – Second Murrow Award for his moving account of a young boy’s survival of a plane crash that killed his brother and father.
2010 – Inducted into the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Silver Circle and won another Emmy for anchoring WTOL-11 News at 11.

THE BEGINNING

British actor Kenneth Haugh once said, “You need three things in the theatre; the play, the actors and the audience and each must give something.” For over four decades, the Black Swamp Players have served up area audiences a rich banquet of local theater. The Black Swamp Players group officially began in the summer of 1968, but the theatre group began performances years before. Beginning in 1963, avid thespians started putting on one-act shows for Bowling Green merchants and businesses to promote and raise money for downtown Christmas decorations. The group appropriately named themselves the “Black Swamp Players” to represent the area of Northwest Ohio covered by the “great black swamp.” At the first meeting they decided to strive to be a theatrical outlet for the entire community and to differentiate themselves from the BGSU theater group. In 1970, the group became an official non-profit corporation.

From the beginning, the group presented at least three major theatre productions each year along with occasional one-acts, readings or vignette performances for various civic clubs. Their recent collaboration with the Horizon Youth Theatre only marks one of the many accomplishments the group takes pride in and looks forward to continuing as they begin a new season.

ON THE MOVE

The Black Swamp Players performed in a variety of venues including Crim and Kenwood elementary schools, the former Junior High on Wooster Street, the Veteran’s Building in City Park, the Bowling Green Elks Club and the Woodland Mall. In 1976, the Black Swamp Players began the Young People’s Theatre program for junior high students interested in theatrical performance.

The Black Swamp Players marked their 100th production in May 1993 with The Good Doctor. They celebrated their 25th anniversary that same year. Beginning in 1995, the BSP christened First United Methodist Church their “de facto permanent home”; being the longest continuous venue for BSP performances. FUM, located at 1526 East Wooster Street, provides a great performance location for the Black Swamp Players for many reasons. “The church has been so accommodating and supportive of the Black Swamp Players,” states Deb Shaffer, BSP member and Board of Trustees secretary. “We are so appreciative that we have a location to perform at and a great group to work with.”

Performing four shows yearly at the First United Methodist location, the season begins in September and continues until the final show of the year in May. BSP also hosts one yearly performance at the Pemberville Opera House. Although the venue is smaller, this performance allows the BSP to expand to a new location and new audience.

YOUTH OF ALL AGES

Horizon Youth Theatre recently partnered with for the Black Swamp Players. The mission and purpose of both groups correlate perfectly: to provide opportunities for those wanting to entertain and for those who want to be entertained. Both the theatrical groups allow individuals to showcase theatrical talent and enthusiasm. Although the Horizon Youth Theatre remains autonomous and self-governing, they are linked with the Black Swamp Players and under their financial umbrella. The BSP are excited to have a youth program under their wing once again and hope to collaborate on an actual performance again soon. Two years ago, the Black Swamp Players and Horizon Youth Theatre collaborated to present Anne of Green Gables.

COME ONE, COME ALL

The Black Swamp Players is governed by a local Board of volunteer trustees and relies on many committed volunteers through the theatre season. Tom Milbrodt, the current Black Swamp Players Board of Trustees President, began volunteering with BSP seven years ago on the tech team working on sound effects and lighting for the show 42nd Street. In his current role as president, he is responsible for making sure all performance programming is on schedule, printing tickets and brochures, and making sure all BSP operations are under control.

Each year, the president of the board selects a “Play Selection Committee” of three or four people responsible for recruiting directors for the year’s plays. Potential directors are asked to submit proposals and the Play Selection Committee chooses the directors based on the plays or musicals that they think would be a good fit for the Black Swamp Players that year. Milbrodt explains, “Choosing the actual play, rather than the certain director, allows us to evaluate ‘a full play package’. If we are choosing the play, we know that director actually wants to and is ready to produce that performance.”

TIME AND MONEY

There are two ways to be involved with Black Swamp Players: through attending shows and becoming a “Black Swamp Player member” and through volunteering for different productions. Ticket sales and donations from community members fund the Black Swamp Players. Every individual involved in a BSP production volunteers their time to perform.

“It’s fun seeing your efforts becoming a ‘living’ reality on stage,   whether it be building and painting the set, creating a show poster or creating a character in the spotlight.” – Bob Hastings

There are different “levels” of BSP membership, depending on donation amount. Individual membership begins at $45 with patron membership (for two people) offered at $80. Another way to support the Black Swamp Players is to attend a performance. Tickets for the 2010-2011 year are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and students and are available at the door. Pre-sale tickets are available three weeks before each production at Grounds for Thought in downtown BG. This year, the tickets have been lowered to give more people the opportunity to attend shows.

WE WANT YOU!

Another way to support the Black Swamp Players is to get involved! The BSP are always looking for volunteers. Volunteers provide makeup, build sets, construction, maneuver lights and sound and help on the stage crew for performances. Ticket sellers and ushers are also needed for each show. Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to join the Black Swamp Players team to “learn the ropes” of producing a show. “Being a part of BSP has been nothing but an enjoyable experience,” explains Milbrodt. “Everyone has a role within the Players and seeing how the entire production comes together is fascinating.” To become involved with the Black Swamp Players, visit their website at www.blackswampplayers.org.

Bob Hastings, a BSP veteran for thirty years, summarizes the Black Swamp Players experience: “It’s fun seeing your efforts becoming a ‘living’ reality on stage…whether it be building and painting the set, creating a show poster or creating a character in the spotlight. Your involvement can be for just one show for about eight weeks or for all five of our productions. The choice is yours.” Since 1993, Hastings has directed 23 musical productions and will be directing the popular comedy Lead Me a Tenor this March.

THE FUTURE

Where does BSP hope to be in the future? Milbrodt explains “Once in awhile we do a sixth show in the summer and ideally, I’d like to see the Black Swamp Players do a summer musical in cooperation with the BGHS Drama Club.” He also mentioned the Black Swamp Players aspire to perform a show at the recently built Bowling Green Junior High auditorium. Shaffer expands, “In addition to our five performances a year, I’d like to see BSP put together an evening of one-act shows for the community to enjoy.”

“We offer a choice of the arts to the community, in addition to the great choices offered at BGSU” explains BSP Board of Trustees Vice-President Ken McClary, “When people new to Bowling Green look to see how stable our city is, I am absolutely convinced that they look at schools, businesses, and the arts to see what we have to offer.”

The Black Swamp Players are a valuable cultural asset to the Bowling Green community. Besides excellent entertainment, BSP provides an outlet for local thespians to showcase talent. All involved feel a sense of accomplishment after each performance. The camaraderie flows when community members act, direct, design, construct and plan a large production together. The Black Swamp Players offer a unique opportunity for the Bowling Green community to showcase theatrical talent and provide a vehicle for theatre lovers to participate as a player or audience member.

Final performances of the season:

The Black Swamp Players – Ravenscroft
Where: First United Methodist Church in Bowling Green.
Performances: May 6,7,13,14 @ 8 PM , May 15 @ 2 PM

Horizon Youth Theatre – Alice in Wonderland, the Musical
Where: First United Methodist Church in Bowling Green.
Performances: Fri & Sat, June 10-11, 7 p.m. Sunday, June 12, 2 p.m.

The Bowling Green State University Rugby Football Club is rightfully considered one of the top ten rugby programs in the United States. With an average membership of 80+, the BGSU RFC fields five squads each season with each squad typically posting nine wins for every loss. At the same time the club has been embraced by the University as a quasi-varsity sport with a home game fan attendance that easily makes it the fourth most watched sport on campus.

Established in 1968 by an Air Force Academy dropout and an Ohio State transfer, Bowling Green became the fifth member of the Ohio RFU just as rugby began its fantastic growth spurt that continues to this day. Noted for its ferocious defense, the club prospered in those days of the three-point try. It was with the addition of ex-University of Wisconsin #8 Tom Haigh that the club took its first step up to the big time. Haigh was instrumental in establishing BG’s alumni association, the Poe Ditch Officers, as well as the Mid America Conference Tournament. Now thirty-four years old, the tournament is the longest running college conference linked rugby tournament in the United States.

Haigh’s departure in 1973 resulted in a long, slow slide into the depths of mediocrity. By 1980 the club could still boast of never having had a losing season, but just barely. The stage was set for the next step up by the club to the game’s elite few.

The chief actor on that stage arrived in the form of Kiwi Bill Cotton. Having prepped at Miami University and the University of Alberta, Cotton’s appointment to the position of head coach created a shakeup right to the club’s very foundations and made Bowling Green the force in college rugby that it is today.

Restructuring the club’s administration off the field, Cotton also established the very un-New Zealand – ?like philosophy of a hard running, high scoring backfield. With a playbook that was unrivaled in its complexity until only recently, Cotton made Bowling Green the standard both on and off the field for Midwest College rugby.

It was during Cotton’s tenure that BG started its ?annual spring tour to the Southern United States. Taking on and beating some of the best the Eastern RFU had to offer, this tour became one of the highlights of the year. Along with a stellar won-lost record, Cotton also brought home four Mid America Conference and one Ohio Collegiate championship. One prize continued to elude the team – the Midwest Collegiate Championship.

It was up to Roger Mazzarella, who took over as head coach in 1985, to guide Bowling Green up to the next level After a near disastrous start and a wild card entry, Bowling Green beat Wisconsin 7 – 6 to win the first of three straight Midwest Collegiate Championships. Not only did the team earn its first berth in the final four of the National Collegiate Championship, but it was also featured in that rarest of all creatures, a Sports Illustrated article on rugby.

In addition to the three Midwest titles during Mazzarella’s twenty two years at the helm, the team has also won twenty six Mid American Conference, seven Ohio collegiate and eight Michigan Collegiate titles. With the club’s tour to England in 1987, the BGSU RFC became the first Bowling Green athletic team to play outside the North American continent. A second tour to England was successfully completed in 1995 as well as a tour to Wales in 2000, South Africa in 2002 and Ireland in 2005. The Falcons have also received seven National Collegiate Championship bids.

Even with an all-time record of ?1936 – 379 – 86 on the field, Bowling Green can also boast of many significant off-the-field accomplishments.

Club members have served in the offices of President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Ohio, Michigan and Midwest Rugby Football Unions. Roger Mazzarella has also served as coach of the Ohio Collegiate Select Side and has held numerous offices in rugby administration including the USARFU Board of Directors. Alumni play on some of the top clubs in the United States, including Belmont Shore, Scioto Valley, the Denver Barbarians, and Life Chiropractic. Four Falcons have achieved all-American honors – Chuck Tunnacliffe (1986), Tony Konczak (1988), Wes Harmon (1991), and Scott Hogg (2003) – and two played for the Eagles – Tunnacliffe and Vince Staropoli (1999). In addition, Bowling Green players have always made up a significant percentage of the Ohio, Michigan and Midwest Collegiate Select Sides.

With the completion by the University several years ago of the club’s $22,000 home pitch, which now includes seating for 250 and an electronic scoreboard, the future looks bright for the BG RFC. Who of those original members thirty-eight years ago, as they threw railroad ties over the Bowling Green sewer to get to the pitch and got ready to play in castoff football practice jerseys, could have foreseen how well their efforts would pay off.

Head Coach Tony Mazzarella

After serving for five years as Bowling Green State Universitie’s chief assistant, Tony Mazzarella took over as head coach from his father, Roger Mazzarella, in the Fall of 2008. He has already posted a stellar record of 139-15-3.

With three Midwest collegiate championships, three national collegiate championship appearances, and three MAC titles to his name, Mazzarella has become one of the most respected and influential coaches in Midwest and United States Rugby.

This past fall he lead the team to a 26-2-0 record and a #1 national ranking throughout the season. BGSU enters the national championship this fall as the #1 seeded team. In 2010, he led the club to a 3rd place finish in the first ever National Collegiate Sevens Championship.

Mazzarella played fullback for BGSU. By the conclusion of that career he had captained two MAC championship teams, been voted MVP three times and remains BG’s leading all-time career scorer as well as being selected to play for the Ohio and Midwest select sides.

After completing his BGSU playing career, he honed his skills with a sixth month stint in the world capital of rugby, New Zealand, and then as a member of the Detroit based Motown Blues. The Blues regularly tour the United States and included select players from Detroit, Cincinnati, Columbus, Indianapolis and ?Toronto, Canada.

Mazzarella graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1993 and was a defenseman for the Bobcat hockey team in two state final championship games. He is married to Perrysburg High School math teacher Marny and has a daughter, Amelia.

Roger Holliday is one of the three original founders of the BGSU Rugby Football Club. Roger is the only surviving member of the original founders. Spending his teenage years in Mill Hill, a traditional all-boys boarding school in North London, Roger was raised in an environment where rugby wasn’t merely a sport, but a religion. After his stint at Mill Hill, Holliday came to Bowling Green, eventually rising to become the editor of the BG News in 1967.

Using his position at the BG News, Holliday was able to publicize the fledgling rugby club, as well as convince the skeptical athletic department to provide the club with a practice field.