He’s calling the shots
for Comcast

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Growing up, Shawn Oleksiak idolized professional basketball players like Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan.
Now he’s working with them.
Meet the newest executive producer of live events at Comcast SportsNet. Oleksiak — a Northeast Philadelphia native and Emmy-winning Sixers producer — recently was promoted to a new position that will call on him to oversee all live game productions of the Philadelphia Flyers, Phillies and 76ers.
"I’m thrilled!" Oleksiak said last week. "It’s a major opportunity and I’m thankful to everyone at Comcast SportsNet who gave me this opportunity. I’m really excited to contribute."
The promotion comes after more than 20 years of broadcast experience in radio and television. Oleksiak broke into sports broadcasting in 1986 with PRISM/SportsChannel Television, and over the next 11 years he worked on various studio shows and events, such as the 76ers Tip-Off pre-game show and the 1996 NBA Draft Special. Later he was a reporter who did on-air interviews with the Philadelphia Flyers during pre-game, intermission and post-game shows.
Long before he found a living in broadcast sports, Oleksiak got his start at Archbishop Ryan High School, where he splashed to success as a four-year varsity swimmer and also played intramural basketball for the Raiders.
But what he learned in the classroom, Oleksiak said, was far more important.
"During my junior year, my media teacher (Robert Clothier) was very helpful and instrumental in encouraging me into sports TV," recalled Oleksiak, a 1983 Ryan graduate. "In high school, anytime I wasn’t playing sports, I was watching sports. I liked finding statistics and stories, and that media class really helped."
Oleksiak went on to Temple University, earning a degree in communications with an emphasis on radio, TV and film.
"I thought Temple University was great," said Oleksiak, who graduated cum laude in 1987 and was inducted into the Temple University School of Communications and Theater Hall of Fame in 2004. "My senior year, I had the good fortune of getting an internship at PRISM television, which helped dramatically."
After graduation, Oleksiak stayed with PRISM until 1997, evolving from intern to staff member. He was a reporter, producer and director during his tenure. Toward the end of that run, in 1995, Oleksiak won his first Emmy for Outstanding Live Sports Coverage/ Series for his work producing 76ers basketball games.
"That was a long time ago," said Oleksiak with a chuckle. "The most special thing about an Emmy is that I’m lucky enough to be involved. These are group projects and they involve other people. Everyone’s role and contribution is essential, and I appreciate all of that."
The modest Oleksiak won five more Emmy awards; he has been nominated for 14 others during his career.
In 1997 — after also spending some time producing sporting events with Philadelphia Park (1987-89) and WCAU-TV (1988-93) — Oleksiak jumped ship to Comcast SportsNet. After two years of producing live events and studio shows for 76ers basketball and Philadelphia Daily News Live, a program that discusses sports stories throughout the city and nation, Oleksiak was on the move again.
This time he found a home with Philadelphia 76ers, as director of television broadcasting. He produced all live game coverage, as well as preseason and playoff specials.
Oleksiak’s broadcasting journey came full circle in 2006, when he returned to Comcast SportsNet, where he was recently promoted to executive producer of live events.
The job started this week, and Oleksiak will oversee live game productions for the 76ers, Flyers and Phillies.
"I’ll still have tremendous amounts of involvement with 76ers shows," he said. "It’s all about new challenges and moving forward. I’ve been doing this for a long period of time. You change professionally, and as a person you grow and evolve.
"I feel like the last twenty-plus years have been like a little boy on a field trip," he continued. "Every assignment has been great. I’ve had some tremendous opportunities."
Take, for instance, producing Michael Jordan’s last professional game, or having a hand in Charles Barkley’s retirement ceremony — two of Oleksiak’s many career highlights. He also worked alongside Philadelphia legends like Gene Hart, the late Flyers broadcaster, and "The Voice of the Phillies" Harry Kalas.
"I didn’t think about it at the time, but then afterward I’ll be so excited," said Oleksiak. "These are guys who were icons when I was a little boy. To work with them is tremendous.
"As a little kid, Sundays in my home, we would come home from church and watch the Eagles," he continued. "Summers in my house were all about the Phillies. Everyone was a big Philadelphia sports fan."
Now, Oleksiak, 43, has three children of his own. He lives in Brigantine, N.J. with his wife Jeanine and children Madeline, 10, Matthew, 9, and Lauren, 7.
And his love for Philadelphia sports still runs in the family.
"My daughters are big Jimmy Rollins fans, and my son is a huge Flyers fan," said Oleksiak. "They’ve come to work with me and seen the environment. It’s really exciting for them."
As for Oleksiak, he claims he’ll always be loyal to the City of Brotherly Love. And as far as his career goes, he’s taking it one step at a time and hoping for the best.
"I’ve always been interested in sports and television," he said. "I think this is something I’ve been working toward for a while. I’m thrilled about this new opportunity and position, and I’m really excited to see what lies ahead." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews