30

30 years.

Three decades.

I started work at WRAL on March 3, 1980 as the sports photographer. I began my career working with two great sportscasters, Rich Brenner and Tom Suiter. I was only 21 years old and fresh out of Mizzou's Journalism School when I took the job with Action News 5. Little did I know what I would do and what I would see in the next 30 years.
-Bribing my way into the Spectrum in Philly to cover the '81 Final Four
-Michael Jordan & the Heels winning the title in '82
-Coach V & the Cardiac Pack stunning the world in '83
-The 1984 Olympics in LA
-George Bush presidential inauguration '89
-Coach K & the Devils winning back to back in '91-'92
-Living with a family in Russia for a week in '92
-Bill Clinton presidential inauguration '93
-UNC over the Fab 5 for the title in '93
-Shooting for David Letterman in '93
-Meeting Billy Graham in '97
-Easter week in Israel in '97
-Watching the move of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in '99
-Shooting the first documentary by a local station in high definition in '99
-Meeting Pope John Paul & shooting in the Sistine Chapel in '99
-Duke takes another title in Minneapolis in 2000

And while I've been at the Big 5 for all my adult life, I've had several different jobs, one of them three times!
-Sports Photographer
-Chief Photographer
-Senior Photographer
-Documentary Photographer

I've been honored to work with some of the greats in local TV since 1980, such as Charlie Gaddy, Jim Goodmon, Bobbie Battista, Greg Fishel, Jim Axelrod, Scott Hanson, John Harris, John Greene, David Crabtree, Art Howard, Scott Mason and Jeff Gravley. Wow, this list is endless. Sorry if you stumbled onto this quiet little corner of the interweb and were disappointed not to see your name. The oversight is clearly my fault. How could anyone expect me to remember? I can't find my car keys half the time.

For all the great friends I've been blessed to work with, I've also said goodbye to several people who died way too early during my days at WRAL.
-John Hudson
-Al Dunbar
-Dan Wilkinson
-Ron Pittman
-Sean Roberts
-Mark Copeland

I'm now honored to work with my son, Jason Jennings, at WRAL. Jason basically has my old job in our sports office. But he brings SO much more to the viewers. Not only is he an superb photographer, his on-air skills as a reporter and story teller are outstanding. He makes his dad very, very proud.

But I couldn't finish without a couple of words about two people whom I couldn't have done this without. First of all, my wife Debbie. No man could ask for a better partner in life. Especially in my early days at the station, she faced life with two small children as basically a single mom. Just one look at what a great mom our daughter Amy has become is a great example of the amazing job Deb has done while I was off following the bouncing ball. Somehow, someway, she didn't leave me. She's always there when I got home with a hug and a kiss. There is no way to fully express my gratitude to her. Deb, you're the greatest. I love you, babe.

Let me close by thanking Jesus. I gave my life to Christ back when I was 12, but He really didn't get a hold of me until I was 34. It's been a breath-taking ride ever since. Even now, I can look back on my time at WRAL and see his fingerprints all over the place. I'm totally undeserving. I stand here today amazed at His grace.

For the past 30 years, I've been honored to bring our viewers the pictures that tell the story. Thanks for the privilege.

Jay