Explorer Post 50
Explorer Post 50 is a youth based television broadcasting program that provides students, ages 14-20, with an invaluable opportunity to gain exceptional experience in the field of television broadcasting.
All Explorer Post 50 members have the opportunity to learn:
- Camera Operation
- Directing
- Producing
- Audio Board Operation
- Video Tape/Instant Replay Operation
- Camera Control Unit Operation
- Graphic Computer Operation
The Explorer Post is designed to make every opportunity a learning opportunity. While we take great pride in teaching the skills needed to produce a television broadcast, we believe our greatest responsibility is to mold our young people into well-adjusted, productive, responsible individuals.
History
Capitol Broadcasting Company CEO Jim Goodmon created Explorer Post 50 in the fall of 1998 to provide area youth with a positive and productive way to spend their summer. The following spring, Bulls fans were able to enjoy live game action on television sets throughout the ballpark and inside the skyboxes.
- Beginning in 2001, the Durham Bulls could be seen more than thirty times per year on WRAZ-DT, Time Warner digital cable channel 251.
- On November 16th, 2001 it was announced that Explorer Post 50 was nominated for an Emmy in the Student Production Category for the Mid-South region. A select group of Post 50 members were chosen to attend the banquet and awards ceremony on February 2nd, 2002 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.
- On May 2nd, 2002 WRAL-TV hosted the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America –Learning for Life Recognition Banquet where Post 50 was named Explorer/Learning for Life Post of the Year.
- On September 6th, 2002, the very first out of market broadcast of a Bulls game was seen in Toledo, Ohio, when the Toledo Mud Hens came to Durham to play game three of a five-game playoff series against the Bulls.
- In the summer of 2003 when Explorer Post 50 began to produce and broadcast games for the United States National Baseball Team with commentators Jerry Kendall, former University of Arizona baseball coach and Tony Haynes, color commentator for North Carolina State University and host of State’s Coaches shows.
- In 2005 Post 50 made it possible for more fans to get in on the action by airing the games on the web at MiLB.com.
- On September 5th and 6th in 2007, the Durham Bulls were in the playoffs with the Toledo Mud Hens and Post 50 aired their broadcast on the Buckeye Cable System (BCSN) in Northwest Ohio, North Central Ohio and Southeast Michigan.
- On September 10th, 2007, FOX 50 launched RTN, the Retro Television Network on their digital cable channel, WRAZ-DT 251, and became the official home of the Durham Bulls.
Learning for Life
Explorer Post 50 is a part of a large learning organization called Learning For Life.
Sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America, Learning for Life is an educational program designed to meet the needs of youth and schools. It helps youth meet the challenge of growing up by teaching character and good decision-making skills and then linking those skills to the real world.
Developed by professional educators and child-development experts, the Learning for Life curriculum has thee basic components: school-based learning, connecting activities, and work-based learning. Combined, these components provide a structure through which youth learn the value of respect and responsibility while discovering a world of career opportunities.
To see more about Learning for Life, please visit www.Learning-For-Life.org.
Student Testimonials
“When I joined Post 50 I learned the basics of sports broadcasting and made incredible friendships that gave me that confidence to pursue my goals of working in the sports broadcasting field. I've since done hockey, baseball, football and many other events and now I have moved to local television operations. I have only started to scratch the surface of the opportunities that await me because of Explorer Post 50.”
Melissa Oates Heilicser - Member (1999-2004), Advisor (2005-Present)
- WRAL-TV5 Broadcast Operator (2005-Present)
- Carolina School of Broadcasting Graduated 2004
- C. E. Jordan High School Graduated 2002
“Being a part of Post 50 was one of the greatest experiences of my life. It gave me experience in broadcast production that ended up getting me a job at WRAL-TV”
Joseph Pittman - Member (1999-2003)
- WRAL-TV5 Broadcast Technician (2003-Present)
- Southern High School Graduated 2001
“I credit Explorer Post 50 with getting me started in my career. The hands on experience and knowledge I gained from working in a professional environment like the Durham Bulls was like no other.”
Charlotte Claypoole - Member (1999-2001)
- Durham Public Schools Video Technician (2005-Present)
- University of North Carolina at Asheville Graduated 2005
- C. E. Jordan High School Graduated 2001
“Working for Post 50 was a great experience that led me to pursuing a career in sports media. With the hands-on training I got at Post 50, I was doing things in high school that my third year college production classes haven't begun to cover”
Erin Compton - Member (2003-2004), Producer (2005)
- Miami Football Video Assistant (2006-Present)
- University of Miami (2005-Present)
- C. E. Jordan High School Graduated 2005
“Not only did Post-50 teach me about broadcasting baseball, the program also taught me about being a leader, and having confidence in myself. In a two year span, I went from running camera, to producing broadcasts that were reaching millions of homes. The contacts I made
at Post-50 also helped me land my job with ESPN. I have no doubt I would not be where I am without my experience at Post-50.”
Robin Segreti - Member (2002-2003), Producer (2004)
- Production Assistant at ESPN Regional (2007 - Present)
- N.C. State Football Video Staff (2002-2007)
- North Carolina State University Graduated 2006
- Enloe High School Graduated 2002
“It has been a life goal to work for ESPN at some point in my life and that goal has come true. All of the years I put in getting experience with post 50 has now paid off. I really do owe the Bulls and Post 50 a big thank you for helping me work up to my goal.”
Bob Grissom Member (2000-2004), Producer (2005-2006)
- ESPN Master Control Op (2007-present)
- CSTV and Comcast Sports Southeast Freelance Camera Op (2004-2007)
- East Carolina University graduated 2007
- C.E. Jordan High graduated 2003
Getting Involved
Any parent, teacher, or student interested in the program is encouraged to contact me at the number below for more information.
If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Heilicser at durhambullstv@yahoo.com
