Alex Garrett entered his first semester at Queens College looking for a job at the school’s radio station. Not knowing what to expect, he put his name on the mailing list and waited for a reply.
Within a month’s time, he had his own show.
“The Sports Hour with Alex Garrett” airs on WQMC on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 p.m. and mixes sports-related commentary and interviews.
“Sports are fascinating,” said Garrett. “Especially in this town.”
Garrett, 18, started going to sporting events long before he could comprehend, let alone commentate, the action on the field. His father John took him to his first Yankee game when he was barely six months old; Garrett was destined for a love of sports.
“What would the world be without sports?” asked Garrett, shaking his head and throwing his hands up in wonder. “My dad instilled sports in me at a very young age; I was a fan before I knew I was a fan.”
For Garrett, being a fan was about more than just attending games, cursing umpires and buying pennants. While attending games, Garrett was also fostering what would become his career path; play-by-play. From an early age, Garrett would bring a tape recorder to games and comment on the action from his seat. It was his first swing at what would become a passion.
“As much as I like doing the radio show, I just love calling the games,” said Garrett. “In life, you have to do what you love and I feel like I’m off to a good start.”
Any successful person will tell you that part of having a good start means being in the right place at the right time. There is a certain amount of luck that one needs in order to get into any line of work, and Garrett knows this.
While attending Henry Viscardi School in Albertson, Garrett met legendary sports broadcaster Bob Wolff; the play-by-play man has been mentoring young Garrett ever since.
“If you know the pros they can give you advice on what to do in order to get where you want to go in life,” said Garrett. “I talk to Bob Wolff almost every week and he is always encouraging. I guess this is just another perk of living in the city.”
Garrett lived across the street from the United Nations building for 11 years before moving to Jamaica, where he lives now. This prime location on the doorstep of the media capital of the world afforded Garrett the opportunity to surround himself with some of the best in the business.
Aside from Wolff, Garrett has also learned from NBC sports anchor Bruce Beck and perennial New York broadcaster Howie Rose. These men, among others, gave Garrett the advice necessary to commentate with confidence.
“Bruce Beck told me that preparation is key. That is some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten,” said Garrett. “Howie Rose told me not to let anyone stop me. That was really special.”
Garrett knows a thing or two about pushing against the odds. Born with one leg, he’s dealt with the stares and judgments of others his entire life. But rather than live his life based on the expectations of others, Garrett redefines the term “disabled” by becoming an inspiration to everyone he meets.
“It is just who I am,” said Garrett. “It doesn’t stop me from being athletic. Sometimes I take batting practice with the [Queens College] coaches. No crutches, just balance. And I use a wooden bat.”
He also has a unique way of getting around on campus. Using crutches to push himself along, Garrett darts through hallways wearing a single rollerblade. It started 10 years ago when his father took him to a sporting goods store in Flushing and since then, it has become part of his everyday life.
“My first and only minor setback was getting off a curb,” said Garrett. “Then it just became natural.”
A natural fit on a kid whose start in college is anything but natural. A Media Studies major, Garrett said he is definitely on his way to a career in broadcasting, but he doesn’t want to limit himself while in college. He believes that being on top of your academic game is important to a well-rounded life.
“I don’t ever want to put academics on the back burner because it is not meant to be on the back burner,” said Garrett. “These days, people want brains and personality; they want an all around person.”
With Garrett, one sees and hears an all-around person because that is precisely what he strives to achieve. Anything else would just be lip service.
“I like to say “Have a great day.” I guess that is my mantra,” said Garrett. “I am a positive guy; I always like to have a great day and somehow I find a way to do that.”
