Charlotte Hornets Set To Replace Legend

For 20 years, the Charlotte Hornets may have been known as a mediocre NBA franchise, but their Public Address Announcer was ELITE. "Big Pat" Doughty was not just a legend, but the most enthusiastic, optimistic ambassador that the team could have ever asked for. Big Pat passed away after a long battle with illness earlier this summer

Now the team has the unenviable, but necessary task of replacing the irreplaceable. Someone needs to try to step into Big Pat's unfillable shoes.

On the subject of replacing Big Pat, Hornets President of Business Operations Shelly Cayette-Weston, is quoted by WSOC-TV, “Although we are still grieving the loss of the beloved Pat Doughty, we are looking for someone who will continue his legacy – with the same passion and energy that he brought to the arena each and every night. Big Pat will always be a part of the Charlotte Hornets organization, and we hope to honor his vibrant spirit in whomever we choose as PA Announcer to carry the torch forward.”

The old saying goes, "You don't want to replace the legend. You want to be the one who replaces the one who replaced the legend." Take it from someone who tried in the radio business a long time ago, it's tough. That being said, someone's gotta do it. My advice would be, and this is tricky (having done PA work myself), always be a tribute to the spirit of Big Pat, but don't try to imitate Big Pat. He was one of one. Your job is to be the one of you. Also realize that at least for the first year or so, you will be constantly compared, and no one is going to like you. Eventually though, you'll settle in and make the job your own (if you're lucky). Officially, the Hornets website has the following information. All interested candidates are required to apply via the application below, which includes submitting a professional Public Address resume, a professional website or reel (no social media accounts or pages), and self-tape of the reads provided.

Maybe you just moved here.  It could be you have lived in the Charlotte area all your life.  Here are the top five facts you may not have known about Charlotte, North Carolina.

I have been in the Charlotte area most of adult life.  My entire career has been here but I must admit I was shocked at a few of these.  When I go to Carowinds, especially when I was little, I loved the Gold Rush roller coaster.  Turns out there was a very good reason why that roller coaster had that name.

I have been to more than my fair share of Charlotte Hornets games but I never knew how we got that name or mascot.  Those origins go straight back to the history books.  As a matter of fact you will find the name of our city right along with "hornets" from a very famous revolutionary war figure.

And how about animals? We LOVE animals even more than you can imagine.  But as much as we love animals,  there is one thing missing in Charlotte that most metropolitan areas do have.  What could that be. Here are the top five facts you may not have known about Charlotte, North Carolina.

Did you know that the Charlotte area is home to the very first gold rush in 1799. A gold nugget was found by a 12 year old boy in Cabarrus county at the site now known as Reed Gold Mine. The second gold nugget was found in a local stream in the 1830s. From then, the gold rush was on.  You can still go to Reed Gold Mine to pan for your own gold and gems to this very day.

The Charlotte Hornets famous name dates back to 1780. When British General Cornwallis came through the area he proclaimed this area was a"hornets nest of rebellion" and the name stuck.  Our NBA franchise adopted the name and the rest is truly history.

One of the reasons why Charlotte does not have a zoo is because authorities thought it would be a good idea to put a large zoo in the middle of the state.  Many people go to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC or the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina.

Due partially to tax reasons and beautiful locations, Charlotte and surrounding areas were chosen for a few really great movies that you have been seen or heard of.  The Hunger Games was filmed here and also in Cleveland County.  Who could forget Talladega Nights filmed at Charlotte Motor Speedway .  Shallow Hal with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black filmed here as well just to name a few.

There are more than 170,000 registered cats and dogs in Mecklenburg County!  You will find multiple dog parks and doggie day cares in our area.  And if you are looking to adopt there is no shortage of facilities where you can find your next best friend