#MediaMonday – Paul Calvisi
Now that we’re in the midst of the football season, today’s #MediaMonday comes to us from Paul Calvisi, host and reporter for Arizona Cardinals as a member of their broadcast team. Paul’s and my paths crossed very briefly when we were both working at KPHO-TV in the early ‘90s.
Paul, time to share.
Tell us a little about your job:
I am the Arizona Cardinals sideline reporter, TV/Radio host, fill-in play-by-play announcer and social media charlatan. Uh, in today’s parlance – “multi-media content provider.” Yeah, that pretty much covers it.
What’s your story?
I grew up in San Jose, Calif., as it evolved into Silicon Valley. I attended the same high school as Pat Tillman (separated by seven years). We were awful in high school football. Pat led the team to a section title – by himself. More importantly, Leland High School had a student radio station. I continued into college radio at Cal. Upon graduation, I gave myself three months to find a radio/TV gig — OR– sober up and find a real gig. I beat the clock and landed my first job as weekend sports anchor at KDRV-TV(ABC) in Medford, Ore. (market #149). That was 30 years ago. Since then, I’ve anchored in Grand Rapids, Mich. (market #38), Fox Sports Net in Chicago, KPHO(CBS) and ABC 15 in Phoenix. Oh yeah, I also just wrapped up two decades of morning radio at KTAR/AZ Sports.
How’d you get into the media?
As noted, high school radio led to college student radio which led to internships at KPIX-5 & KNTV-11 & KNBR radio in San Francisco. I bought the station crew pizza on weekends to fire up the studio cameras so I could record a demo reel, which I sent out to stations upon graduation. I took my first gig in Medford, sight unseen. I loaded up a 1966 Mustang and hit the road up I-5 from the Bay Area to Southern Oregon (gulp).
Tell us a little about your career, where’d you work…what did you do:
At various stops, I’ve anchored and reported for TV news along with hosting pre/post-game shows around MLB, NBA, NHL and NFL events. Over the past decade, I’ve also hosted plenty of sports talk radio and created a commentary/comedy segment titled “Paul’s Call.” I’ve been verbally accosted by coaches, players, team execs and fans. #GetInLine
What are the top three or four stories you’ve covered?
- Covered Pat Tillman’s career both at ASU and the Cardinals.
- Covered Barry Bonds breaking baseball’s all-time homerun mark for Fox Sports Bay Area.
- Sideline reporter for every moment of Cards’ 2008 Super Bowl run.
- Early in my career, I covered the Fab Five at the University of Michigan and worked 49ers/Raiders locker rooms interviewing Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Tim Brown, etc.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I achieve mental health via classic cars, especially 1965-66 Mustangs. Anyone have extra garage space they’re not currently utilizing? Let’s talk…
Favorite restaurant? Favorite food?
I answer to the moniker “Paulie Parm” — especially legit eggplant parm in Little Italy/NY… #Ding.
Favorite music?
At last check, I’ve attended a half-dozen Tool concerts dating back a quarter century (not necessarily proud of that).
A little-known fact about you?
Speaking of music, as a teenager, I caught a guitar pick thrown by Stevie Ray Vaughn at the conclusion of a concert at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium; a contested catch in traffic, I might add.
Anything else you’d care to share?
Can someone kindly sync up the traffic lights on Shea Boulevard? Thanks in advance.
