WOUB Alumni (Yes, another one...) To Be Honored at Homecoming Ceremony

Last month when we published the story about fellow WOUB alums, Paula Shugart and Perry Sook, we did not have the information, that yet another person, we recognize as an alumnus, was also to be honored at the 2009 Alumni Awards, during Homecoming week, in October....This story is to correct that oversight and celebrate the recipient's outstanding achievements.


Selling Shoes in Pittsburgh

After graduation, there was a saying that became common to a few of us. Those that were still working together and were still close friends, while we were pursuing our media related careers in Cincinnati. And that saying was (when we started talking about what had happened to other people we used to know, but did not know if they were in the "biz" still) "I dunno about him (or her), they could be selling shoes in Pittsburgh, I guess...."

Of course we know, not everyone that graduated with a degree in Communications or Journalism, or ever worked at WOUB, in the Radio-TV or News areas, has continued on that same broadcasting path through out their life.

So it may not be a surprise when I tell you that former WOUB Newswatch reporter, Matt Rubel is indeed, "Selling Shoes in Pittsburgh"..... yes, that is a true fact.

But, I should probably add, that he is also selling them in Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati, Athens, Atlanta, Dallas, St. Louis, New York, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and every major city in the United States, and pretty much in every part of the world!

That's because currently, Matthew Rubel is the CEO and president of Collective Brands Inc., the holding company for Payless, Stride Rite and Collective Licensing International... so he sells shoes EVERYWHERE. He has sold them to you, very likely. I know he has to me!

After graduation, and leaving the news desk, instead of pursuing a job, at some small market station in the broadcast field, he pursued an MBA in marketing and finance at the University of Miami (FL). That decision and right turn from news and broadcasting, took him on a new career path, through companies like Revlon, J. Crew, Tommy Hilfiger and Nike, among others.

I don't know about you, but it really points out to me, I should have stayed in school a little longer, and got that other degree I was working on! It sure turned out to be a smart choice for Matt Rubel. Though I am sure he had the "making good choices for the long term future" brain, all the time, and obviously continued to exercise it, to have had the outstanding career, that he has....

And that is why HE is one of the Ohio University Alumni Association's, Outstanding Alumni, this year... (along with Paula Shugart) and the rest of us.... are not.

But hey, with hard work.... maybe next year? I think we should aim, for at least one alumnus, to get a Medal of Merit every year... Who's up for that?!