Eric Christensen is the managing editor of sports for CBS News Colorado. He is a Denver native who began his broadcasting career back in college at the University of Colorado.
What hooked him on being a broadcaster? Eric says performing radio play-by-play for CU football and basketball games and covering the team during its 1990 and 1991 Orange Bowl appearances was the bait.
His first paying job was in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He was hired as the weekend sports anchor/weekday news reporter. Those weren't his only duties. As an entry level person in TV you learn to wear many hats. Eric anchored the news, did the weather and even read the farm reports. After 2 years at KDUH-TV, he was hired as the weekend sports anchor/reporter in Kearney. All in all, Eric spent 6 years on TV in the Cornhusker state. His time happened to correspond with the Huskers winning back-to-back national championships and also included the "Bugeaters" going 6-0 against his beloved Buffs. (Watching and having to cover the Buffs lose in Lincoln in 1996 was definitely a career lowlight.)
Eventually Eric made my way back to Denver and was hired as a sports producer at Clear Channel Communications. He produced several sports talk radio shows and performed play-by-play for many CU men's and women's basketball games. He was also the play-by-play man for the now defunct UPN20 High School Football Game of the Week.
CBS News Colorado hired Eric as a sports producer in 2000. He is also a sports reporter and anchor for CBS News Colorado, and is now the station's Managing Editor of Sports.
Whether it's watching the Broncos fade from and then return to dominance or covering the Buffs hanging 62 on Nebraska in football and beating Kansas in hoops or the Rockies' magical season in 2007, he says the job is always exciting and seldom disappoints. There's no better drama than sports!
Eric is married and has a son. He enjoys playing golf, reading, cooking and supporting the Buffs.
JUST THE FACTS
Position: Managing Editor of Sports
Favorite author: Michael Connelly, Mark Frost & Bruce Plaskett
Most Memorable Interview: Surprise meeting with Steve Spurrier on his exercise bike at Florida's football stadium before Fla. played Nebraska for the National Championship.
What keeps you in Colorado: If you're in the Denver area, just look west. It's God's country!
Dream Interview: Tiger Woods
Dream job: Play-by-play on radio for Univ. of Colorado football & basketball
Alma mater: University of Colorado (91)
Year Hired: 1999
First TV Appearance: As Jr. in college, interviewed by Channel 9's Kevin Corke during state high school basketball championship
Favorite Story: Feature on old, retired golf pro who lived in Red Cloud, Ned. He once gave Jack Nicklaus a putting tip that helped him win the U.S. Open. Also documenting the night Muhammad Ali came to Denver to pick a fight with the current heavyweight champ Sonny Liston.
Why I am a journalist: Love sports and the drama it provides. It's also fun and challenging to tell stories.
Hidden Talent: I can juggle.
No. of kids: 1 (Davis)
Hobbies: Golf
Favorite Food: Mexican(green chili)
Favorite Musician: Tom Petty and The Red Hot Chili Peppers
No. of siblings: 1 (Matt)
No. of pets: 1 (Doogan)
Favorite vacation spot: Hawaii
Favorite noise: CU fight song
Least favorite noise: Nebraska fight song
Favorite music: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Counting Crows, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eagles and The Rolling Stones.
Biggest risk you've taken: Taking my first job in TV in Scottsbluff, Neb.
You can contact Eric by sending an email to yourreporter@cbs.com.
