Welcome Sam Kouvaris

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

WE MEET AT RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY

Lunch begins at noon - Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m.

The Rotary Club of Mandarin will join us for this meeting-be sure to wear your team colors!!
 

Sam Kouvaris

Sports Director/Managing Editor, WJXT

A native of Baltimore and a graduate of the University of Maryland, Sam Kouvaris began his broadcasting career in Charleston, S.C., as the sports director at the ABC affiliate, WCBD.

He also worked as a sports reporter in the Washington/Baltimore area.  In June 1981, Sam joined WJXT, formerly the CBS affiliate in Jacksonville, and was promoted to sports director in March 1982.  On Jan. 1, 2000, Sam was given additional duties as managing editor of the sports department at WJXT.

As sports director/managing editor, Sam's responsibilities include the presentation of the daily newscasts and the leadership of the sports department. Along with the news director and general manager, he helps determine the sports coverage policy throughout the year.

Sam's play-by-play experience stretches from football to polo, and he has called events for CBS, NBC, ABC and ESPN.  A three-sport varsity athlete in high school, Sam also participated in football and baseball in college and on the semi-professional level. He still stays active in sports as a tri-athlete and the occasional fantasy baseball camp. As part of his sports coverage, Sam has tried out for the Jacksonville Tea Men and the USFL Jacksonville Bulls.  He served as voice of the Tea Men of the NASL in 1983.

A popular feature on WJXT's Channel 4 News at 5:30 p.m. is "Stump Sam." Viewers are invited to send in their sports questions to see if they can "stump Sam." Sam has maintained about an 80 percent correct answer rate since the feature's inception in 1990.

Sam also maintains a sports-themed Web site -- SamSportsline.com -- with current sports information, as well as personal commentary.

Sam calls his experience flying Navy tactical aircraft the highlight of his career.  After a promotional flight with the "Blue Angels," Sam completed six weeks of training from the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Cecil Field, and was qualified to fly in the FA-18.  He has done stories with several squadrons in the Atlantic Fleet and has one carrier arrested landing and launch.

His sports commentaries can be heard twice each day on WFYV-FM in Jacksonville and on the syndicated Lex and Terry radio show, which is broadcasted throughout the country.

A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee, Sam is one of 38 electors asked each year to vote on candidates eligible for induction into the hall.  He also is a designated voter for the Heisman Trophy and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Sam is an Emmy Award winner and has won the Associated Press Broadcast Award, as well as other honors, including Sportscaster of the Year by numerous organizations.  Music and drama are among his hobbies. Sam plays several musical instruments, including the trumpet and guitar. He has appeared as the lead vocalist for the St. Johns River City Band at several "Big Band" concerts.

He serves on the Board of Directors for numerous charities in North Florida and is active at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.  Sam lives in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville with his wife. Together, they have three children.

                        The 4-Way Test

The October 30, 2012 meeting will focus on the 4-Way Test.  The following link has essays about the 4-Way Test written by children: http://thefourwaytest.com/

James Chansler Receives Benefactor Award

PP James Chansler recieved the Rotary Foundation Benefactor Award during the South Jacksonville Rotary Clubs meeting October 16, 2012.    The Benefactor Award is given when someone includes the Foundation in a will or other estate plan, or makes a special gift or commitment to the Foundation's Permanent Fund. James is also a sustaining member of the Foundation's Annual Fund.





Neil McGuinness Moving to Residential Real Estate

A recent Wall Street Journal article indicated that the housing crisis was ended according to both Wells Fargo and J.P. Morgan. It probably isn’t a coincidence that Neil is selling his Murphy Business Brokerage Franchise and joining his wife Kathie in her residential real estate business at Keller Williams Atlantic Partners in Jacksonville Beach. They will be doing business throughout the greater Jacksonville area and their website is www.JacksonvilleNeighborhood.com

Kathie currently has listings or recent sales in areas ranging from the horse country near Cecil Field to Northside to Riverside/Avondale to Del Webb Ponte Vedra (Nocatee) and through The Beaches communities.

Effective November 1, 2012, Neil will be a Realtor with Kathie at Keller Williams but will continue his role as chairman of the board of the SEI Private Trust Company in Oaks Pennsylvania, a national thrift with $200 billion in custody assets. In addition to being a member and board member of Rotary of South Jacksonville, Neil is a board member of Semper Fidelis (Marine Corps veterans organization), a board member of The Beaches Area Historical Society and a member of the estate planning Council Northeast Florida.

Past President Odette Is On The Air

Past President Odette Struys was on the air the week of October 15th encouraging listeners of WJCT to support public broadcasting.  

Recap of the October 16th Meeting

Greeter:  Christine Goldsmith

The Prayer & Pledge:  Doug McCullough
Benefactor Award Recipient: PP James Chansler

Blue Bade Recipient:  Kevin Hyde

Literacy Project Update:  President Jim & Richard Dow

Introduction of Visitors & Guests:  Juan Gutierrez
Sports Update:  Jeremy Miller

Guest Speaker Introduction:  David Bissell
Speaker:  Rick Catlett

Rick Catlett, President of the Gator Bowl Association, spoke to the South Jacksonville Rotary club about the association and answered questions from club members.