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Clif
Thornton - Sports Producer at Fox KTBC-TV
in Austin
I came to know Mike when I was a student
at Howard Payne university and he was
the university's Sports Information Director.
I worked both under him, as a worker in
the sports information department, and
with him, as a member of the school's
newspaper staff and a member of the school's
campus television show. The biggest thing
I remember about working with Mike is
how many different hats he wore and how
great his attitude was while wearing them.
During the time I was at HPU, Mike was
SID, HPU Intramural Director, play-by-play
voice of a local high school football
team and occasionally Howard Payne's basketball
and baseball teams, and sportscaster of
a local radio station. It seemed the only
thing Mike didn't do a lot of was sleep.
Mike always had a smile on his face and
remains one of the most upbeat and energetic
people I have ever known. In addition,
from his work both in the media and in
media relations, Mike's knowledge of "both
sides of the fence" is a valuable
asset to him. Mike was also great about
doing as much preparation BEFORE an event
as possible. Whether it was as SID or
play-by-play guy, Mike's "pre-game
preparation" usually resulted in
a near perfect day at the stadium or the
gym. In spite of what he may think and
in spite of the fact that this may frighten
some of those who know Mike better than
I do, Mike has been one of the most influential
people in my career. I still catch myself
preparing for and executing tasks the
way I learned from Mike almost 10 years
ago. Basically, he's my dad. Let's just
say Mike has been a major influence in
my career, and I'm grateful for that.
He would be great for any media-related
task that needs to be undertaken. Mike,
can you pay my rent this month?
Angie
Blackwell - Wife and Mother
Hmmm...how can I explain to you the
man that is Mike Blackwell? Mike is a
funny person, though he will tell you
he is much funnier than he really is!
Mike is fun to go through life with. He
can laugh even in times that are trying.
Mike is loving. He is a wonderful father.
I see the love he has in him when he plays
with our girls. Not every man will let
their two-year-old daughter tie a pink
feather boa around their neck and lead
them around like a horse! Mike will. I
guess it’s things like that that
say what kind of person he really is.
I know that Mike has told me he loves
me every day of our marriage. Women -
he’s the type of man who remembers
the song that was playing the first time
we danced together. But for you men, he’s
also the type who would stay all day,
every day, at the baseball field. He knows
who he is, though that sometimes varies.
He can sing every word of Barry White’s
songs, then pop in Willie nelson and do
the same. Mike is simply the man I love.
He is a talented writer and a hard worker.
I know he can do anything he puts his
mind to.
Dr.
Don Newbury - Chancellor, Howard Payne
University
A preacher I know says he often offers
his "mother hubbard dress" sermon!
He says it "covers everything, but
touches nothing!" Well, that only
partially fits Mike Blackwell, who is
as versatile a fellow as I have ever known
who has the unique ability to cover just
about anything--both verbally and in print.
I recommend him with enthusiasm and complete
confidence. During the years we were colleagues
at Howard Payne University, is work was
better than "A+," and he's a
fine fellow to go along with it! He's
the best.
Art
Lawler - General Assignments Reporter,
Athens Daily Review
Mike Blackwell is a refreshing change
from all the mundane writers out there.
He's just crazy enough to be interesting,
and smart enough to be - well dangerous.
Whatever it is, the combination seems
to work. If he was a fullback, he'd be
a grind-it-out type who always winds up
with plus yardage. That's what he'll do
for his readers and those who utilize
him as a freelance writer. He has a lot
of energy and a great work ethic and a
good sense of humor. What else is there?
[Dear God, Please forgive me for stretching
the truth with the above dispatch. But
surely you believe in situation ethics.
We ask for your support in this harmless
little deceit - a white lie, as it were.
The flock will never notice. We ask this
in your son's name. Amen.]
Ron
Modesty - Employer Coordinator, Capital
Idea Inc.
I love Mike Blackwell's work. Unlike most,
I have known him personally since our
high school days back in Abilene, Texas.
I have always enjoyed his writing style
and humor. I will continue to read any
article that I can find with his name
on it.
Dallas
Huston - Radio Broadcaster
In close to 40 years of play-by-play,
Mike is as good a color man as I ever
worked with. Easy to listen to, great
knowledge and a quick wit. I miss him.
Caleb
Pirtle, VP of Editorial, Dockery House
Publishing in Dallas
For several years, I have had the privilege
of working with Mike Blackwell on several
magazines published by Dockery House.
Regardless the subject--from travel and
the great outdoors to pet care--Mike is
a professional who does a thorough job
of researching the article, then writing
the exact story I'm looking for. He makes
my job as editor a lot easier because
I always know that a Mike Blackwell article
is worth publishing and, more importantly,
worth reading. My only regret is that
Mike doesn't work for me full time.
Vance
Gibson - AD/Head Football Coach, Howard
Payne University
I
first met Mike when I was hired as the
head football coach at Howard Payne University
in Brownwood, Texas. Mike was the Sports
Information Director at the time - a job
which required endless hours of work and
very little compensation. I was continually
amazed at Mike's high level of enthusiasm
and professionalism. There was no job
given him that was slighted in any way.
During this time he also compiled statistics
for our conference office, hosted a coach's
radio show and broadcast local sporting
events. Very few would attempt such a
workload much less excel at it as he did.
On a personal level Mike made my job much
easier to do as well as making it a whole
lot of fun. Some of my fondest memories
at Howard Payne involve lunches with Mike
where many of the world's problems were
solved. The coaches radio programs were
not a pain to do because I knew Mike would
keep them interesting with his line of
questions and incorporate some topic along
the way to liven things up. Mike's wit,
sense of humor, upbeat disposition, and
knowledge of current events easily made
him the most engaging person on our campus.
Bob
James - Program Director, KOXE/KBWD Radio
in Brownwood
Mike Blackwell is a nut, but I love him.
He's funny and writes well, and is well-liked
by radio listeners. He knows sports cold,
and was always spontaneous and lively
on the air. He eats like a horse and his
hair is thinning a bit, but we all have
our shortcomings, don't we?
John
Nickols - Associate Director of Athletics/Professor
of History Howard Payne University
I worked closely with Mike Blackwell for
two years when he was Sports Information
Director at Howard Payne University and
I was Women's Basketball coach. He did
a tremendous job publicizing all of our
sports and was highly respected by all
members of our athletic department, faculty,
and administration. He was tireless, energetic,
and positive in all he did. He enjoyed
excellent relations with the media; having
a background in both print and electronic
media, he understood their needs. His
keen knowledge of sports won him respect
in the athletic community. Mike is one
of those rare individuals who not only
writes extremely well but also is equally
adept behind a microphone. He not only
displayed this talent in sports casting
but also developed quite a following as
a morning radio personality. He has a
sharp wit and is very well-informed about
politics, with a delightful and sometimes
irreverent sense of humor.
Vicki
Holcomb Beeson - Director of Development,
For the Love of Christi, Inc. in Austin
Just what exactly is...a "Mike Blackwell??"
To some, he is a consummate sports enthusiast,
with great sense of style and a very contagious
sense of humor, rounded out by capable
delivery and a strong oratory voice...
Others know the side of Mike that demonstrates
his capable writing and editing skills,
covering a wide range of topics and subject
matter... Others still know him as a fun
and funny kind of guy... He also happens
to be a great dad and husband... He works
hard and plays even harder... But the
side I know best is that of a true friend
and creative artist. He always gives 110%
to anything or anyone, and that is what
makes up the best part of a "Mike
Blackwell..."
Todd
Howey - Athletic Coordinator, Canyon Independent
School District in Canyon
Sometimes you just have to go with what
you got and simply make the most of it.
That is how I see Mike Blackwell. Never
have I been around and individual that
had the ability to make positive things
happen through print and the spoken word
like Mike could. Even when resources were
limited, Mike would continually produce
a product that exceeded expectations and
lead everyone to believe that he had unlimited
access to every resource available. Mike
is truly gifted and his talents are just
know beginning to have the wide range
impact that they are capable of having.
I believe in Mike Blackwell, and I know
without a doubt that he will produce the
type of product that reflects his personality;
nothing but first rate quality.
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