A Tribute To Coach Eric Camille
We are always asked to submit digital content on a daily basis here at The Fanatic. I can’t think of a better way to do it than by sharing some thoughts on the unexpected departure of our Executive Producer Eric Camille. You know him as Coach. We know him as the maniacally detailed guy who cleared so much clutter out of our way on a daily basis.
Eric performed the workload of multiple employees. That is the way that modern radio is executed. A lot of responsibility was hoisted upon him on a daily basis and he met the challenge repeatedly. He did a lot of the things that made all of us on the air look good. He was the Mastermind behind “Fan Fest” and did more to insure you had a great time at the event than any single employee at Beasley Media. He never wanted to be front and center to be acknowledged for it. Pulling off an event of that magnitude was a struggle at times, but he thrived in the planning.
When I was interviewing with The Fanatic, I got to meet Eric at one of the meetings since he was also the Assistant Program Director. We were exchanging ideas about how the show would run and be delivered on a daily basis. His ideas and his attention to detail in those conversations impressed me. I later asked the Program Director Chuck Damico if there was any way he would consider being the Executive Producer of my new show. Crazily enough, Coach had already discussed that possibility with Chuck. I was thrilled he came aboard.
We enjoyed the quirky behaviors that he brought to our show on a daily basis. We love making fun of each other for our “unique” character traits. Coach loved playing along and could spar as well as any of us. He hated me tearing up paper during a segment, Bob eating on the air, Jamie peeling his tangerines to full nakedness and just about everything that came out of Pat’s mouth. We appreciated it all. Many can’t let moments like that go on without getting offended. Coach loved the discussions of his love of hot dogs as his nightly dinner and his Pez collection.
What you didn’t see was the devoted Father. He sacrificed much time for us but always put his son first after work hours. He loved coaching him in soccer for years and would speak every day of the games they had played the night before. The pride in his voice was evident.
During my employment at The Fanatic, nobody wore the tattoo of the station on them more than Eric Camille. It’s a shame that he was a victim of the latest round of corporate cuts in 2023.
After my diagnosis with cancer, he always wanted to make sure everything was made easier and organized for me so that I could continue to work. He worried more about my personal health and safety than I did. He cared. In everything he did at 97.5, he cared.
Eric Camille is the kind of employee who made a difference. Trying to replace him now becomes our challenge. We won’t ever replace his devotion to the brand and endless energy to support others. We will miss you Coach, daily!
