Imagine the scandal a writer could create with a headline that reads “Local Celebrity Has Split Personality!” But after interviewing this familiar T.V. sportscaster, that headline could be true – but in a very good way.
You may think you know Alan Shope of KAKE TV 10. He’s a popular sports reporter with a passion for all sports, but especially for baseball because that’s where he excelled. Alan even dreamed of playing professional baseball at one point in his life. For some people, being a knowledgeable and talented sports guy might be enough; but evidently, that’s not enough for Alan. There are much deeper waters within his pool of talent.
I first met Alan when I discovered he had written and published his second novel, My Attrition. Okay...I was impressed. However, I made the erroneous assumption that it was a book about sports, because isn’t that what sports guys know about? But that couldn’t have been further from the truth. This was a love story so beautifully written, I couldn’t believe that a local sports announcer could have crafted the words. It was then that I realized Alan is a rare breed. He’s a free spirit who isn’t afraid to be who he’s meant to be, even if it lands him in women’s shoes.
Alan is a very creative, gifted storyteller who uniquely engages both his left and right brain. (Thus the misleading headline about the split personality.) Alan’s left brain makes him a natural for analyzing a strategic play on a football field and baseball stats, but his right brain is also highly developed and stimulates his creativity and sensitivity. To prove that, simply look at his many achievements: Alan has written over one hundred short stories, six movie manuscripts, four books, one children’s book and more than one hundred songs – twenty-three of which have been recorded. He also owns a U.S. patent, so you could call him an inventor, as well. Anyway you look at it, that’s an amazing list of accomplishments – in addition to his successful television career.
When I asked what drives him, he shared a story with me that was so moving and motivating I just had to share it. When Alan was a college student taking Algebra, his professor was diagnosed with cancer. The day after the professor learned of his diagnosis, he came to class and gave the students a surprising homework assignment; one that had nothing to do with math.
The professor asked his class to make a list – a bucket list – of 100 things they wanted to do during their lives. Alan took the assignment seriously. So far, he has accomplished all but eleven of those goals. Thanks to his drive for success, talented and creative brain and of course, that split personality, there’s no doubt in my mind Alan will complete his mission. And, for being brave enough to be “in her shoes”? – we think Alan Shope is one good sport!
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