This season, we were lucky enough to interview Luis Miguel Echegaray, former head of Senior Camp and lifelong Brant Laker. Luis currently works as a sports journalist for ESPN and, luckily for us, took a moment to tell his BLC family all about it.
When and how did you know you wanted to get into sports journalism?
LME: It was actually a very fortuitous moment. I was an actor for many years and then one day, my wife Jen – also a Brant Laker – encouraged me to pursue sports journalism because I was passionate about storytelling and sports. So, I decided to create a short documentary with my friend on a high school soccer team in NYC, MLK Jr. in Midtown. That documentary allowed me to get into a master’s program at CUNY and from then, the snowball got bigger. My story is the perfect example of life throwing you different roads to take on your journey. I took one that eventually led me to sports.
What is it like working for ESPN? What do you do on a typical day?
LME: It’s my dream job and the reason is because there is no such thing as a typical day. One day I am on SportsCenter talking about the Champions League, the other I am writing an article about Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid. The great thing about my job is that it’s unpredictable. It’s also a lot of work because you have to act on your feet, but that’s what drives me.
We saw you got to interview Lionel Messi recently. Wow! Tell us about it.
It was the biggest moment of my professional life. At the end, Jen (my wife) asked me about it and I couldn’t even answer because I didn’t even factor in that it was real. Lionel Messi is a very quiet, reserved man. He is a genius on the pitch but he lets his feet do the talking. Everything else is very reserved. But when he talks, he is calm, attentive and very warm.He is a great human being and obviously, to me, the greatest player the game has ever seen (and Messi would be green*). Watch the full interview here.
What advice do you have for young Brant Lakers who want to go into journalism?
LME: Most people think that journalism is about breaking a story or a lot reporting. And yes, this is true. But the most important necessity about journalism is knowing human beings. Empathizing with them. Learning from them. Knowing their story. That’s journalism to me. Storytelling with engagement, truth and empathy.
Also – it doesn’t matter who you know or where you went to school. Be personable, be kind and always, always put in the effort to be anywhere on time. That’s a lesson in life, not just journalism.What is your favorite memory from your time at BLC?
LME: Ooooh man. I have too many. I first came to BLC when I was just 18/19 years old as a counselor. I was green captain three times. That to me has to be up there. But honestly, the most important moments came from the campfires, the assembly meetings, the song contests, the trips and meals I spent with counselors and campers, especially in Senior Camp. Every Brant Laker is a brother to me. That will never leave me.
What is your Favorite camp lunch?
LME: I know I’ll get roasted for this, but grilled cheese, baby. All day every day. Also, by the way, Abu is the 🐐.
Are you Green or Gray?
LME: Come on, now. GREEN CAPTAIN in 01, 03 and 04. Oh, and I also won every single time.
Want more? Watch Luis’s Brant Lake Story Video
