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. “There were only four people on the track, and Alumnus Justin Gutierrez has gotten to travel to many sporting 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. Some of his most surreal experiences come from being around and working with the celebrities involved with the events. Gutierrez will never forget meeting celebrity chef, Guy Fieri. “Guy Fieri was involved in drag racing, and he actually closed down their restaurant and gave us a private meal in his restaurant, where he served us his entire menu,” Gutierrez said. Getting the opportunity to meet famous people and visit locations all over the United States requires a lot of work and a high commitment to travel, which dissuades some, but not Gutierrez. He knows that to make it in the industry, that type of sacrifice pays off. “He was always willing to drive 100 miles to work a basketball game,” said Nate Hess, a fellow Washburn University mass media alumnus who worked with Gutierrez for over five years. That type of work ethic, along with the versatility of knowing how to play many roles, is what has enabled Gutierrez to find his success. All while winding back to Washburn and the Topeka Expo Centre where his professional career started. Gutierrez said that, even though he is happy with where his career is now, he still has goals he wants to accomplish. Gutierrez believes he will settle down eventually, and perhaps he will sign on with one company and begin working toward a managerial position. “There were only four people on the track, and I was one of them” -Justin Gutierrez 12