35 miles of cable leads to fast lane By Kyle Manthe When wrapped up, a spool of cable may not seem that long, but once it starts being unraveled it can lead to places previously unimaginable. Justin Gutierrez, a 2010 mass media graduate, has spent nearly a decade setting up video broadcasts for networks like ABC and ESPN. In that time, he has served in many roles on both the production and technical side. “It’s never the same thing twice, and that is what’s exciting about it,” Gutierrez said, referring to his average day on the job. In the past year, Gutierrez has been on site for the Division I NCAA Football National Championship, a Conor McGregor fight and for senior night at the University of Kansas men’s basketball game. One of his personal favorite events to have covered was the Indy 500 — specifically, the 100th running and 100th anniversary. According to Gutierrez, this job included a three-week setup and more than 35 miles of cable, but the reward Photo courtesy Justin Gutierrez paid dividends. Alumnus Justin Gutierrez has gotten to travel to many sporting “There were only four people on the track, and events through his job, including men’s basketball games in Allen I was one of them,” Gutierrez said, talking about Fieldhouse at the University of Kansas. where he was as the race was starting. of sacrifice pays off. Some of his most surreal experiences come “He was always willing to drive 100 miles to from being around and working with the work a basketball game,” said Nate Hess, a fellow celebrities involved with the events. Washburn University mass media alumnus who Gutierrez will never worked with Gutierrez for over five forget meeting celebrity years. “There were only chef, Guy Fieri. That type of work ethic, along “Guy Fieri was four people on the with the versatility of knowing how involved in drag racing, track, and I was one to play many roles, is what has and he actually closed enabled Gutierrez to find his success. of them” down their restaurant All while winding back to Washburn and gave us a private -Justin Gutierrez and the Topeka Expo Centre where meal in his restaurant, his professional career started. where he served us his entire menu,” Gutierrez Gutierrez said that, even though he is happy said. with where his career is now, he still has goals he Getting the opportunity to meet famous people wants to accomplish. Gutierrez believes he will and visit locations all over the United States settle down eventually, and perhaps he will sign requires a lot of work and a high commitment to on with one company and begin working toward travel, which dissuades some, but not Gutierrez. a managerial position. He knows that to make it in the industry, that type
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