NBC Runners Find RNC Mind-blowing

There was no easing back into life at UT for Kevin Falck ’15.

The business management major from Omaha, NE, arrived in Tampa on Thursday, Aug. 23, moved into his residence hall on Saturday and was at work at 9 a.m. on Sunday at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Falck, as well as Luz Insignares ’13, were hired to work as runners for NBC this week, helping with coverage of the 2012 Republican National Convention.

“It’s hectic, the security is extremely tight and it’s crazy,” Falck said. “Being thrown right into the middle of it all is pretty neat. It’s overwhelming to get a chance to do this.”

Falck said it’s been a whirlwind of activity this week, from his work as a runner to the opportunities he’s received — like the media floor passes he got to see Ann Romney and Chris Christie’s speeches on Tuesday.

“It’s unreal and mind-blowing,” said Falck, a President’s Leadership Fellow. “You hear them all and see them on TV, but to witness the speeches live, it’s really neat.”

Insignares, a sport management major and athletic marketing student assistant, was hired not only as a runner for NBC News but for Meet the Press with David Gregory. She helped with pre-convention set-up, was at work at 4 a.m. to rehearse for the Sunday morning show of Meet the Press, greeted and escorted NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd and runs credentials outside the perimeter of the convention to the NBC staff.

“It's an incredible feeling to have been blessed with the opportunity to stand alongside some of the most well-known, talented people in the industry,” Insignares said. “To have a chance to get to work with them and get to know them as real people is so amazing.”

Insignares said the security checks and the hour commute from her residence hall at UT to the forum (usually a 5- to 10-minute drive) are made up for with experiences like attending an E! News party where she met and took a photo with Sen. John McCain.

As a runner, Falck said his responsibilities vary daily. He will do stand-ins during set-up to make sure the lighting and sets are assembled just right and provide manpower for errands and other behind-the-scenes work.

“I do whatever tasks need to be done,” said Falck, who works an average of 14 hours a day, and would like a career in entertainment management.

As a registered Republican, he knew this was an opportunity he didn’t want to see pass by.

“One of my professors excused me from missing class this week,” Falck said. “He told me that I’d learn more in one week with this experience that he could teach me in a year.”

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