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Rick Blangiardi was at the pinnacle of his successful football-coaching career when significant revamps with his professional life became a necessity. To support the needs of his growing family, Rick shifted from coaching to sales at a TV station - leaving what seems to be his dream and passion to meet the practical demands of reality.
But Rick's career transition has not stopped him from being a facilitator of motivation and inspiration. As senior vice president and general manager of KGMB 9, Rick creates a challenging environment where employees can enhance their skills through the guidance of a mentor - the same principle he used as a football coach.
The sport played a huge role in Rick Blangiardi's life. He was a player and as an assistant coach he eventually became the defensive coordinator and associate head football coach for the University of Hawaii. Because of his love of the game, the transition from coaching to communications practitioner was hard for Rick Blangiardi but his focus and determination to succeed eventually bore its fruits.
It Was More Than A Game
Rick started his football career in high school as both an offensive and defensive lineman. In college, where he further developed his love for the sport, Rick moved from a four-point stance to a two-point stance as a middle linebacker, considered the most feared position on the defensive side. Rick earned four Varsity football letters in his college career.
Football itself became Rick's biggest influence during his heyday as a player. Consequently, he sought further involvement in the sport as a coach. Rick spent most of his 20s leading the University of Connecticut football team. In the early 1970s, he moved to the University of Hawaii and joined Larry Price on the coaching table.
"I was really deeply influenced by the game. In fact I used to say that it was more than a game for me and as a result I really wanted to get in the coaching business, and really thought that would be my career," he said.
Waking Up From A Dream
In those days Rick earned a gross average of $15,000 as assistant coach and defensive coordinator. With his then wife going on maternity leave, supporting the family would be an impossibility unless he opted to use his experience and credentials to earn more money albeit turning away from his passion. Rick ultimately chose selling television time for KGMB9 despite it being a road, to him, less traveled.
"I never really thought of myself as a sales person but I knew if I ever transitioned into business I'd have to think in terms of probably selling something," he said. "And honestly, television just seemed better at the time than insurance or sporting goods fields with all due respect to those two professions."
"I had known coaches who had done that and kind of ran back to coaching, and TV was just one of those things that they said, "Well you know that you can sell sports." It's just what was available at the time through a series of circumstances and I didn't have to leave Hawaii. Quite honestly I didn't know what I was getting into."
A Difficult Transition
Rick had his share of public visibility as coach for UH, making the career transition even harder especially that he had to start from scratch in an industry he barely even knew. Being in a competitive industry with equally competitive players, Rick dauntingly tried to keep up and stay level with his colleagues.
"(KGMB9) was highly competitive and the station was dominant in the ratings. Consequently they had very strong people throughout the station and especially in sales.. I tried to learn all of that on the run, try to stay up with them, so I could make a contribution and not fail at it," Rick said. "My day to day was very different, from the standpoint of what I used to do as an assistant football coach to what I was doing as a sales person."
Light At The End of The Tunnel
Rick started his career in the media with almost the same pay as he was getting as a football coach. It was the upward mobility he sought regardless of the hardships he had to go through in the television industry. From here, focus and determination would play a huge part in his climb up the ladder.
After two years at KGMB9 Rick became the local sales manager. The job possessed the same principles as coaching. Cooperation, teamwork, camaraderie, competitiveness and a strong valuation of trust all hold true to his career in the media; the same values he cherished in the sporting arena.
"The good news is that at least television afforded me an opportunity where everyday seemed like game day instead of just 11 to 12 Saturdays a year," Rick claimed. "It was really challenging, and required the same drive and financially it was a lot more rewarding."
"When you love a game like that it's such a part of your life and you have the benefit of being exposed to it in a really nice way. Yes you miss that but I tell you I had no regrets about getting into television. Television's been an extraordinary career for me. It's allowed me to grow and learn and meet all kinds of wonderful people and work with people. I've been in a lot of interesting and challenging settings and the work really brought out the best in me."
Time To Give Back
Without regrets in a seemingly life-changing decision, Rick Blangiardi was able to move through the ranks having mostly a sense of providence - to be able to meet the needs of his children despite sacrificing his own joy. And now that he has reached the apex of his career, Rick looks back in recognition to the forces behind his rise to the top despite the many personal tribulations he faced. Giving his time to several organizational Boards is his way of paying his dues.
"At this point in my life, so much of what I've been about is trying to give back - to come home to Hawaii now and really make a contribution and do something that would be worthwhile," he said.
According to Rick, it is his job as a senior manager to act as example to his subordinates and instill in them a sense of philanthropy by utilizing the resources immediately available to them. Rick believes that the television, with its all-encompassing power to influence the masses, can be used to move the community forward and uplift the society.
At present, Rick is involved with several for- and non-profit organizations including, Central Pacific Bank, University Health Alliance, Ahahui Koa Anuenue, The Aloha Council of Boy Scouts, Chamber of Commerce and Aloha United Way.
Central Pacific Bank is currently involved with the Lokahi Giving Project, founded in 1992 by News Anchor Leslie Wilcox and social services leader Mariellen Jones. From November 20 onwards for a month, all branches of Central Pacific Bank in the state will be accepting donations of gift cards and cash (or credit card charge) at teller windows. Friendly faces from Central Pacific Bank are helping with the Dec. 2 Neighbor Island drives from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. except in Keauhou, Kona where the drive goes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For the full audio interview and transcript please visit greatergoodradio.com. Greater Good Radio airs every Saturday morning and Wednesday night on 1420 AM and online at www.greatergoodradio.com.
