Russ Jackson has had a varied media career, working in news and sports radio, both on the air and behind the scenes. He is currently doing freelance work for IMG and Westwood One broadcasts of NFL and college football games. And he credits all of it to his start at WOUB.
“I grew up in Cincinnati and I wanted to go into media from an early age. I had a gift for talking and always wanted to be behind the mic,” said Jackson. “My dad advertised on WLW radio all the time and I knew a lot about the station. I was interested in sports media. So, when it was time to look for a college, one of my high school counselors told me about the reputation of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University and that was it.”
In addition to the fact that the journalism school was one of the best in the nation, Jackson also picked Ohio University because of the opportunities to gain hands-on experience at places like WOUB.
“WOUB made another great reason to pick Ohio University,” said Jackson. “Being able to get on-air experience from early on in your college career is so important. You didn’t get to do that at other schools. WOUB played a huge role in why I picked Ohio University.”
Getting Real-World Experience in College
Jackson worked at ACRN and WOUB during his time on campus. He worked for the WOUB Sports Department doing radio and television, and also hosted the Night Shift music program on the radio. This gave him the chance to hone his skills and gain experience that would be invaluable when he entered the job market.
Landing a Job Within Weeks of Graduation
After Jackson graduated in 1989, he got a job working at a radio station in Lima, Ohio. He was the news and sports director at the station. Then, Jackson moved to sports radio in Cincinnati working for stations that carried Cincinnati Bengals football games and Cincinnati Reds baseball games before moving on to work for IMG and Westwood One. He credits his early success to the experience he gained at WOUB.
“Getting the hands-on experience in the studios with microphones as early as we did at Ohio University is such a big deal,” said Jackson. “We got to do things they did in the real world and having the stuff to show to potential employers was amazing. Thanks to what I had done on the air at WOUB, I was able to get a job literally two weeks after graduation.”
A Stepping Stone to Success
WOUB served as a springboard for Jackson’s career. It provided him with the practical experience he needed to launch his career. Jackson’s success story highlights the value of hands-on learning and the importance of gaining real-world experience early on. It shows how WOUB has played a key role in shaping the careers of numerous individuals in media. It has provided its students with the skills and experience they need to succeed in the competitive field of media.
From Local to National Spotlight
Jackson's journey from Ohio University to the national stage is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and the opportunities provided by institutions like WOUB. From his early days hosting the Night Shift music program on WOUB radio to his current role in broadcasting NFL and college football games, Jackson has come a long way. And his success story serves as an inspiration to aspiring media professionals everywhere, highlighting the importance of gaining practical experience early on in their careers.
