KABC Channel 7 Sports Anchor Rob Fukuzaki spoke to University of La Verne faculty and students on Monday. Fukuzaki gave advice about the broadcast journalism industry and shared his memorable college and professional experiences.

Monica Valencia’s Journalism 100 class hosted the event, attended by about 40 people in Founders Auditorium.

The event was set up like a press conference where Valencia’s students asked Fukuzaki questions as part of their final.

“(Fukuzaki’s visit) is important because Journalism 100 students can see someone like Rob

Fukuzaki, who is up on a pedestal where they one day want to be, and say, ‘Oh that person was exactly where I am,’” said Michael Laponis, professor of communications.

Valencia’s Journalism 100 class voted Fukuzaki, a ULV alumnus, as the person they would most like to interview.

Fukuzaki beat prominent public figures such as Britney Spears and Bill Clinton.

“It was really cool that Rob Fukuzaki took time out of his schedule to speak to us,” sophomore communications major Kelsy Franklin said. “I was really impressed with what he had to say.”

Fukuzaki said he always had an interest in sports journalism. Since the age of nine, Fukuzaki idolized Dodgers’ announcer Vin Scully.

“There is just something about him,” Fukuzaki said. “He is like the Shakespeare of the microphone.”

Fukuzaki described himself as a “weird kid,” sitting indoors listening to Dodger games and reading baseball statistics while the other children played outside.

However, Fukuzaki was not always confined indoors.

Growing up in Hawaii, he also played baseball and basketball.

By high school, Fukuzaki knew he wanted to be involved in journalism because he enjoyed writing. Fukuzaki said he wrote all the sports articles in his Mid-Pacific Institute high school newspaper because “no one else wanted to write about sports.”

“I had around five articles every paper,” Fukuzaki said. “My byline was all over the sports section.”

Fukuzaki then discovered La Verne through a college recruiter his senior year of high school.

Due to his private-school education, Fukuzaki was drawn to ULV because it was a smaller college. He also wanted the opportunity to continue to play baseball.

As a freshman, Fukuzaki became active in the radio department at La Verne.

He took advantage of the University’s equipment, which he considered beneficial to honing his craft.

“At the time, he availed himself to everything the department had to offer in order to gain knowledge,” Laponis said.

“He was the type of student that went above and beyond of what he was expected to do,” he added. “No matter what the opportunity, he made himself available.”

Fukuzaki credited instructors such as Laponis and Professor of Journalism George Keeler, stating, “They guided me in the right direction, that intimate one-on-one treatment.”

“I am grateful and honored,” Laponis said, “but he is the one that did it. I just tried to provide some guidance and direction.”

Fukuzaki was voted the University’s Broadcaster of the Year for three years in a row.

He graduated from the University in 1988, earning a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism.

“ULV provided so much for me and I encourage you to do the same,” Fukuzaki told students. “At bigger universities, so many students aren’t provided with the same accessibility.

“If the studio is open for you, jump right in,” he added. “No matter what year you are, gain experience outside the classroom. Use whatever resources ULV offers because they are right in front of you. What you learn in the classroom isn’t the only thing that can get you your job.”

He then returned to Hawaii and worked as a sports reporter for KITV Channel 4, an ABC affiliate.

Five years later, Fukuzaki’s dream came true: He was selected to be a sports anchor in Los Angeles, the No. 2 market in the United States.

In addition, he became the first Japanese-American television anchor in Los Angeles.

Although Fukuzaki described the transition as moving from “the slow lane to the fast lane,” he grew acclimated to the fast-paced, stressful Los Angeles market.

“It took me two years to find my balance, mentally and physically,” Fukuzaki said.
However, today, Fukuzaki said he could not imagine doing anything else.

Because the broadcasting industry is ultra-competitive, Fukuzaki stressed the importance of maintaining a “thick skin” while going through the audition process.

For sportscasters, Fukuzaki stressed the importance of “knowing your sports.”

“You have to know the rules, the names of coaches and players, and statistics,” Fukuzaki said. “You have to kind of grow up with sports too or have it be a part of your background. You need to be able to look in the mirror and ask yourself ‘Do you know what you’re talking about?’”

In addition to being a sports anchor, Fukuzaki has become involved in the Los Angeles community.

In 1996 Fukuzaki along with his friends and family, founded the Heads Up Youth Foundation, a program that helps disadvantaged youth in the area by organizing sports programs and events to raise scholarships.

“It’s flattering to be considered a role model,” Fukuzaki said. “I love sharing what I have done and my experiences. I like to share things that I’ve done at ULV that helped me that others might not be aware of.”

Tracy Spicer can be reached at okcomputerfan01@aol.com.