After an exciting college experience calling games and majoring in sports broadcasting, Alec moved back to his hometown of Bel Air, Maryland.
“It’s just home to me. I grew up with Baltimore around me. I wanted to have a job in this area. When I first got out of Marshall, I came home,” Alec said.
Alec’s goal after graduation was to work at a radio station, so he started applying and sending resumes to any station that would accept them. He was so determined to get a job in his field in Baltimore – he got a part-time job at the Target in his hometown while he kept hustling to get a career in sports.
Finally, something stuck. WBAL NewsRadio, the NBC affiliate in Baltimore, offered him a once-a-week shift, operating the radio board on Saturdays. He was successful and motivated, and then the station offered him the opportunity to do a Monday night Baltimore Ravens show from the local Buffalo Wild Wings.
In 2018, a full-time position opened at the station, so Alec applied – and got it.
Earlier this year, when Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh was fired, Alec produced a four-hour talk show about it.
Outside of football and baseball season – and training camps for both – the station operates as a political talk station, so Alec produces those shows.
During the sports seasons, he’s the producer for Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles.
“I follow the teams every single day. Now that does seem tedious, but with all the numbers, all the things going on, and especially with how we do our pregame shows, we need storylines every single day,” Alec said.
Since Major League Baseball plays 162 games a year, Alec doesn’t travel with the Orioles, but he does travel with the Ravens.
“This has been the craziest year of my professional career,” Alec said. “I’m living my dream professionally working both Orioles and Ravens games. You never work a day in your life, if you enjoy what you do.”
And Alec attributes his ability to succeed to his education at Marshall, which led to his ability to succeed in his career, and to knowing the “safety net” of The College Program was there.
Jackie Clark is the associate director of the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall and remembers Alec from his undergraduate days.
“It was a joy to see him grow through the degree program and get involved in as much as possible during his time at Marshall,” Jackie said.
Jackie said Alec’s story of success can be inspirational to parents with younger children on the spectrum.
“It gives hope and reassurance that their children can have a meaningful college experience,” Jackie said.
“When they see students who were once in similar situations now graduating, building careers and forming relationships – that sense of possibility is life-changing for families.”
Alec’s best advice for students looking for a career in sports or other students in The College Program points back to persistence.
“I think being patient with the process is important,” Alec said. “I’m at my happiest moment in my career right now, but I’ve been at WBAL for almost nine years. So, it has taken me nine years to get to this point. But take every opportunity that you can.”