Inform, Educate, Entertain with JP Dellacamera, Hall of Fame Soccer Broadcaster
In Episode 113, JP Dellacamera, Broadcaster of 16 World Cups and 3 Olympics, and so many other incredible games, husband, and father, talks with Phil and Paul about the life and leadership lessons he has learned over the course of his soccer broadcasting career, which has spanned six decades, his keys to a great broadcast, how his best call ever was only one word, how he learned about teamwork in a broadcasting booth, what he has learned from referees, dealing with controversy during broadcasts, recommendations on a special kind of sandwich, and how he is using lessons learned from the game in his MASL leadership position, his marriage, and his parenting. Specifically, JP discusses:
· His personal story, including how a guy whose first love is hockey ended up being one of the most-known voices in US Soccer, and his journey to his current role as Director of Communications/Media for the Major Arena Soccer League (3:30)
· Knowing how to handle both disappointment and success (7:16)
· Why he doesn’t have a personal why/mission statement (9:49)
· Who he is “working for” when broadcasting a game (11:43)
· Three keys to a great broadcast (14:09)
· The importance of not assuming that someone you want to meet and learn from is not accessible (16:13)
· The defining moment in illustrious career and a lesson he learned from it that you don’t want to miss (17:47)
· How to properly deal with controversial issues during broadcasts (24:16)
· What he has learned from broadcasting soccer and talking with thousands of players, coaches, and referees over the course of multiple decades that he likely wouldn’t have learned playing and/or coaching the game (27:21)
· How he is using lessons learned from the game of soccer is his leadership position with the MASL (30:24)
· The power of saying “I don’t know” (33:34)
· His thoughts on the good, bad, and ugly of the state of soccer in the US (35:51)
· How we can attract better coaches to the younger levels (40:26)
· How he has used lessons learned from the game in his parenting and marriage, including a different kind of sandwich that he highly recommends (43:17)
· His recommendations (48:05)
Resources and Links from this Episode
· Coaching the Bigger Game Program
· Phil’s email for DISC Training
· 1999 World Cup Final (JP’s goal call at ~2:15:00)
· Miracle on Ice (Al Michaels call)