TRAVELING THE MEDIUMS FROM TEXAS HALL TO TEXAS STADIUM Published Wednesday November 8, 1995
Radio, paper jobs began Riba’s career
EDITORS NOTE: To celebrate the university’s Centennial, The Shorthorn will publish an article each Wednesday looking back at the events and people who helped shape this institution, and the changes all have undergone.
By Kellie B. Gormly
When George Riba took a weekend trip from his Fredericksburg home in Central Texas to Arlington in the early 70’s, he got a bit more than he bargained for.
He was planning on visiting his older brother, an engineering major at was then Arlington State College. But his intended social getaway quickly acquired businesslike tones as he discovered the school that would eventually award him a speech communication degree in 1976.
That was for starters.
After enrolling, he stumbled across his true calling: broadcast journalism. He immediately began “knocking on doors” and was hired for many local jobs while still a student.
Today, Riba continues to cultivate the Metroplex broadcasting seed as a sports reporter for WFAA Channel 8, a job that sends him traveling across the country an average of 20 times a year.
Was it beginner’s luck, perhaps?
“You never know,” he said laughing. “Once I got my feet on the ground, I got a job.”
Riba’s first announcing job during his college days was at KWXI-97.1 radio, where he entertained the community night owls as the graveyard shift disc jockey. He later switched to KFWD-102.1 and did the same thing.
Meanwhile, he broadened his journalistic horizons into the print realm one semester as a Shorthorn reporter. He described the experience as invaluable.
Ditto for The Shorthorn, said John Dycus, associate director of student publications.
“What I remember the most about George Riba was that he was not here nearly long enough,” he said. “I never see him on TV without remembering that he was a part of this program. Every night on Channel 8, he makes us look good.”
Through the combined efforts of The Shorthorn’s journalism and his radio stint’s announcing, Riba discovered what he wanted to do.
Call it a blend of both – visual broadcasting.
“I heard that TV paid more,’ he said. “But I also thought I’d want to try something a little more exciting and with more rewards down the road.”
“I shied away from radio because I saw a lot of change,” he added. “There were people moving around like gypsies, and I didn’t want a lifestyle like that.”
John Whitson, former news director for KTVT Channel 11, gave Riba his first television reporting job in the mid-1970’s.
“He was a good, hard worker,” Whitson said. “He always had a story when you sent him out.”
“There is something that stands out,” he said, noting that he often interviewed more than 100 applicants for a job. “I’m not sure what that quality is, to tell you the truth. “It’s like a movie star – they have something special, but you can’t define it.”
Riba says he isn’t climbing the television ladder toward some ultimate rung. Ask him about his career goal, and he’ll reply: “to make a living.”
“I never thought about it, and still don’t think about it,” he said. “If something comes along that sets my feet on fire, great.”
“Comfort implies complacency,” he added. “I am comfortable in my job right now, but you have to keep pushing yourself.”
For all aspiring broadcasters who hope they can duplicate his success, Riba offers one piece of advice: stay in school.
“The education is a big part of it,” he said. “But at the same time, won’t necessarily let you get to the top. You have to start at the bottom and work your way up. You can’t expect to start in the D-FW area.”
Once the diploma is attained, Riba said perseverance is what will put it to use.
“The longer you stick with it, the more you learn about the business,” he said. “In 30 years, if you play your cards right, you could be running the place.”
“The average Joe Blow can someday become Mr. Joe Blow.”
Just ask Riba – he knows from experience.