Former Nicholls offensive lineman Gerald Gruenig had no idea what he was going to do after his playing career, but may have found his niche as a television sports anchor.
When Gruenig came to Nicholls in fall of 2009, his goal was to play football and earn his degree in mass communication.
“I was only in journalism because it was the easiest math track in college,” Gruenig said.
Gruenig wanted to be an offensive line coach once his playing days were done. As time wore on, he became unsure whether he wanted to be a graduate assistant somewhere or coach high school football. In the meantime, he began his stint in college radio starting with the CQ Xchange with Nicholls quarterback Beaux Hebert and then KNSU’s sports talk radio show Overtime.
“I was having fun in radio. However, there is no money in radio, and it is tough to get a job in communications,” Gruenig said.
He began working at the Goldmine in the French Quarter and bumped into WDSU investigative reporter Travers Mackel, brother of WDSU sports anchor Fletcher Mackel. Gruenig has known the Mackels for his entire life and is named after their dad’s best friend.
Gruenig and Travers began to talk, and Gruenig said he had no idea what he was going to do with his life. Travers tells him he should intern at WDSU.
“I remember my first day in there. I tell Fletcher, ‘Hey dude, if I am going to be here everyday, I am going to be doing something. What can I do?'” Gruenig said.
Fletcher allowed Gruenig to cut up voice overs, highlights and travel with the photographers, where he would get sound bites from people for stories. Gruenig did not have to wait longer than a few months before he could help out because he had known both Fletcher and Travers for so long.
Gruenig was able to cover Steve Gleason’s wounded warrior flag football game, where he got one-on-one interview opportunities with Steve Gleason, former head coach Dick Vermeil, former Saints receiver Lance Moore and former Saints linebacker Scott Fujita. He said he was not intimidated by the opportunity.
“I remember going back to the station, and Fletcher is saying, ‘Wow, man, this is good stuff. Good job,'” Gruenig said.
Gruenig worked with Chris Miles, who was the weekend anchor at the time for WDSU. He was able to write scripts and see the production side of news working with him. Gruenig still talks to Miles on a weekly basis. He emphasized how grateful he is because Miles and the Mackels have been mentors for him.
Even after all of his work at WDSU, Gruenig did not think he would do anything with media after his internship.
“I just thought I would coach and live in New Orleans, grow my beard out and hang out at Jazz Fest,” Gruenig said.
He went on spring break in Breckinridge, Colo. and he received a phone call from Fletcher saying there was an opening at KALB in Alexandria, La. Fletcher informed him that the job would be an on-air position for news. Within seven days, he had an interview, sent his work, took the job and put down a deposit on a house in Pineville, La.
“When I got here, it was a 99 percent news job. I felt like a freshman in fall camp again.I did not know what was going on, and the bullets were flying,” Gruenig said. “I had numerous things I had to turn in for that day’s news.”
After a while, he began thinking to himself that he was not sure if news was what he wanted to do. Shortly after, the sports director at KALB took a job in Montgomery, Ala. KALB wanted to give Gruenig a chance as a sports anchor. Gruenig had seven minutes to fill on a Sunday show, and KALB made him a full-time sports anchor.
“One week, I was working at a bar room. Next week, I am working at WDSU. Next week, I am in Colorado thinking ‘What the hell am I going to do?’ Then I am applying for GA positions across the country to be an offensive line coach. Then, seven days later, I have a down payment on a home and a job working in television as a news reporter,” Gruenig said. “Four months later they say ‘Here is your shot at sports’ and at the end of September, I started doing sports. Now it is the middle of April, and it has been fun.”
One of the biggest highlights for Gruenig was his recent coverage of Wrestlemania in New Orleans. Gruenig sent out his information to try to get credentials to cover the event. He had the opportunity to get an exclusive interview with a World Wrestling Entertainer Hall of Famer. Gruenig was in for a shock when he found out who it would be.
“I jump on it and ask to know who it is. They tell me Hulk Hogan, and I am like ‘Holy cow!’ Yeah, I want that,” Gruenig said. “We are a small market, so to have a one-on-one with Hulk Hogan is a big deal around here.”
 During the interview, Gruenig talked with Hogan about the event itself and why it is such a big deal. Knowing his audience, he asked Hogan to get in character for all the wrestling fans in Central Louisiana. Hogan said “Central Louisiana, do not forget who the best wrestler of all time is! Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you!?”
Since that interview, people have come up to Gruenig and asked him about his interview with Hogan.
Gruenig emphasized the importance of his time at Nicholls for all of his success. When he had his interview, adversity and being prepared was emphasized because of KALB’s small market status.
“When I played at Nicholls, I heard ‘That final whistle will blow one day’ from Coach Stubbs, Coach Jeb and Coach Uperesa. The correlation between football and life is ridiculous,” Gruenig said. “If you can be successful in a college athletic program, chances are you will be successful when you get done sports and get your degree.”
Gruenig puts in 12-14 hour workdays and said that respect and accountability have become two things he strives for everyday. He gives Nicholls Mass Communication department and the athletic program credit for that. He talked about how Nicholls does the best they can without much help.
“The roof could blow off the station right now, and I would be here with the camera ready to rock and roll,” Gruenig said.