Getting Out the the TV News Business
WVII /WFVX (Bangor, Maine) Sports Director Aaron Jackson is leaving the station and TV news altogether to pursue a teaching career.
He will be replaced by 22-year-old East Brunswick, New Jersey, native Jon Alba.
Jackson spent seven years at the station. He had been a sports reporter/weekend sports anchor before replacing Brian Sullivan as the sports director.
“I loved what I did. It was my dream to work in TV. It was a blast. But it was time for me to look for a new challenge,” said Jackson. “I’m excited about this.”
Jackson had been a substitute teacher at UTC and began his full-time stint three weeks ago.
“It was a very tough decision. But when I was in high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do and a teacher [Sean Wasson] encouraged me to take his video class. That’s how it all started. That kept me engaged because it was a very hands-on class. It kept you active,” said Jackson, who hopes to have the same positive influence on his students.
The 29-year-old Jackson also said it will be nice to have normal working hours. His sports director-anchor gig kept him working until midnight.
His replacement, Jon Alba graduated from Quinnipiac University (Connecticut) in May with a degree in broadcast journalism.
He is currently working for the Major League Baseball Network.
“I’m very excited to be heading up there,” said Alba. “It’s a great market, and there is a whole mesh of people who are interested in not only high school sports but college and pro sports as well. It’s a good landing spot.”
He has some innovative ideas according to ABC 7/Fox news director Craig Colson, and Alba said he is looking forward to implementing them.