Christian Zavisca Dot Com

Leaving Valpo, and what’s ahead

Christian Zavisca — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:05:57 +0000

In September 2009, I left the Knoxville News Sentinel and returned north to my alma mater, Valparaiso University, for a job with the marketing and communication department.

I got the chance to work with my good friend Tom Wyatt. I broadened my professional horizons and made new friends along the way.

Some of my favorite memories are from two service trips to New Orleans that I took with Valpo students.

I also benefited from close proximity to friends and family in nearby South Bend — where I grew up, and where we celebrated our 20th high school reunion last year.

It’s been a great 2.5-plus years. Some of those reading this who know me well are already aware that I have some major changes coming up. I’m starting a new job, in Durham, N.C., with the Herald-Sun. And I’m getting married. Julie lives and works in the region of North Carolina where I’m moving. It’s an exciting time for us. I’m going to miss Valpo and its people, but I can’t wait to get started on this next chapter.

So, so close

Christian Zavisca — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:24:13 +0000

Valparaiso University’s men’s basketball team came within one game of returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004. Unfortunately, they fell short, and the University of Detroit reaps the rewards.

Also unfortunately, I was unable to attend the game, because I was (and still am) fighting off a terrible sinus infection. I’ve never had allergies or any kind of sinus issue before in my life. I am pretty sure that I’ve never even bought a box of tissues before. All I can say is that I have sympathy for anybody who has had this sort of problem before. I’m finally starting to feel a bit more human after three trips to two different doctor’s offices. Ugh.

Valpo: Horizon League champs

Christian Zavisca — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:51:34 +0000

Valparaiso University’s men’s basketball team won the regular season Horizon League championship, and Valpo is hosting the conference tournament with an NCAA bid on the line.

I was a sportswriter for the Michigan City (Ind.) News-Dispatch during the 1998 run to the Sweet 16, and I covered the Crusaders’ loss to Rhode Island at the Kiel Center in St. Louis.

Valpo hasn’t been to the NCAAs since 2004. It’s about time for a return, wouldn’t you say?

Notre Dame tops Syracuse

Christian Zavisca — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:33:38 +0000

I got an up-close view of Notre Dame’s win over Syracuse, the No. 1 team in college men’s basketball at the time.

It was pretty cool. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a No. 1 team get beat before, although I did attend the Maryland-Indiana national championship game in Atlanta a while back.

Grad school stuff

Christian Zavisca — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:52:41 +0000

I’ve been working on a number of grad school projects. I’ve been blogging about them here.

One of those projects involves a video highlighting my father’s expertise as a transit-industry consultant. Here, he talks about building strong client relationships.

Office Space

Christian Zavisca — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 22:37:14 +0000

At work last week, we moved into our new office area. It evolved from this:

To this:

It’s in the basement of the Harre Union. We like it so far. Our former space was bursting at the seams. What we have now is much more friendly to creativity and collaboration. You can see more photos here.

Notre Dame-Michigan football 2011: Did that really happen?

Christian Zavisca — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:31:12 +0000

I was there, and yes, it happened.

It was a crazy day, a crazy night, a crazy game and a truly insane finish. Michigan 35, Notre Dame 31. Since I started helping out with Notre Dame sports coverage for notredame.scout.com/IrishEyes two years ago, I’ve seen some remarkable things. But nothing like this come-from-ahead loss.

A true stunner, in every sense.

Valparaiso University Communiversity 2011

Christian Zavisca — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 23:07:43 +0000

If you missed Communiversity 2011 at Valparaiso University, then you missed out.

The weather got a little crazy for a second, but it ended up being not too bad. A good time was had by everyone, although the Crusaders came up just a little short on the gridiron.

Why, hello Knoxville

Christian Zavisca — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:40:26 +0000

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, I lived and worked in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Pictured below: Market Square.)

Last weekend, amid journeys to several other destinations, I paid a brief visit to the newsroom of the Knoxville News Sentinel, where I worked as a copy editor for a few years.

It was great to be back. Our stops included McKay, the world’s greatest secondhand bookstore; Tomato Head; Sunspot for lunch with a high school friend; some quality time in South and North Knoxville; and a Sunsphere drive-by.

It’s been a great time. Sometimes you reconnect where and when you least expect it. It’s been that kind of summer.

Tennis via social media

Christian Zavisca — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:47:41 +0000

I had an excellent time playing tennis on Monday night with my good pal Ron Garcia. We played together in high school, and he went on to play at the collegiate level. I hit the ball well, especially since I haven’t played much in several years (although I have a blister on my thumb to show for it).

It was more or less dumb luck that we got together. Ron and his wife Denise happened to be in the area (they live in New England), which I learned after I spotted him on Twitter. We had a conversation through the microblogging platform and planned a get-together. Score one for social media.

Ron, Denise, and the Garcia family are the force behind Team Tobati, a nonprofit that is dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged young people in Tobati, Paraguay, in central South America.