Getting to know Mike Fetscher

If you've seen dynamic aerial photos and videos of campus, chances are you're viewing the handy work of Mike Fetscher, coordinator of instructional broadcast for the College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP), a personal hobby he shares with the University.

In his role at USI he livestreams classes and uploads these and other educational materials online for students, as well as serving as an administrator for social media and IT support for the CNHP. Outside of campus, he stays busy as a member of the Westside Nut Club, as a baseball umpire and keeping stats and running audio and the message board at USI sporting events.

Fetscher is approaching his 10-year anniversary with USI as a full-time employee. He is a USI alumnus who has lent a helping hand to Athletic Communications since his freshman year in 1991.

Let's find out more about the man behind the lens.

What did you major in at USI?

I have a degree in communications and worked for channel 14 WFIE for 10 years before coming to USI full-time. I've also freelanced for Disney Channel, ESPN, CBS Sports and Fox Sports.

When I see Robert Jeffers (instructor in advertising) on campus, I say "There's the man who changed my life." I took a public relations course and fell in love with it. Afterwards I went from being an average student to making the Dean's List. It was just about finding my passion and he helped me.

Tell me about your glory days as a USI Baseball great.

From my freshman to junior years we went to the NCAA Regionals and I enjoyed great success as a Screaming Eagle. I was a left-handed pitcher. Thank goodness for the designated hitter, because I couldn't hit the ball to save my life, but at least I could throw it. I was a three-time All American. A lot of that success comes from my teammates. It's a nice individual award, but one that can be shared with the team.

Everyone in my recruiting class has been inducted into the USI Hall of Fame, and a highlight was the ceremony where we were together to watch our coach, Gary Redman ­- the man who put our team together and mentored us - get inducted.

What did you enjoy most about playing?

As I look on my playing career the thing I enjoyed and miss the most was being a part of a team and competing against other schools; pitting our best against their best. Nowadays, when we get together to reminisce, our conversations aren't necessarily about the score of the games, but the comradery we shared on and off the field.

You're known for some great aerial videos and photos. What got you interested in this hobby?

With my background in communications and interest in technology, photography and videography, I thought it would be a cool hobby. The quadcopter has allowed me to get some shots and perspectives never seen before. Whether it's a sunrise on campus or a shot of the sports stadiums and landmarks, the ability to get an angle never captured before is fun, but also a challenge.

I talked my wife into letting me get the quadcopter by agreeing to pay for it out of my umpiring fund. When it arrived in the mail, my daughter, who was nine at the time, asked "Daddy, what's that? Is that the waste of money?" So now, we sometimes refer to it as the W.O.M. (Waste of Money).

What's your involvement with Westside Nut Club?

I grew up with the club. I grew up on the west side and my grandfather was in the club for more than twenty years.  Many of my friends were members. It's amazing to see a group of 300 guys who come together to make something nice for Evansville and the surrounding community. Look at the Westside Nut Club Fall Festival. There are 60,000 to 70,000 people a night and only 300 of us that put it on.

How would your classmates remember you?

Hopefully as someone they could rely on when working on a project, easy going and as someone who could inject humor to lighten the mood when needed.

What is your best childhood memory?

Getting on my bicycle in the summer and heading to the local little league park and playing games, whether it was on my league team or a pick-up game with a group of kids. If I wasn't at home I was at the ball diamond.

What do you treasure most in life?

This may sound cliché, but it has to be my family. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife (Angie) and two great kids (Shawn age 14 and Ashley age 11). I couldn't imagine life without them.

If you had an audience of people to entertain and an amazing singing voice, what would you sing to them?

Tough question, because my singing voice is reserved for an empty car with the windows rolled up and music so loud that even I can't hear myself. I would have to go with a medley of Elvis, Motley Crue and Jimmy Buffett.

If you woke up tomorrow having gained one quality or ability, what would it be?

An ability to slow down time. My kids are growing up too quickly and I'm not getting any younger. In the words of the great philosopher Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."