Goodbye mentor; thank you for instilling curiosity and lifelong learning through your kind teaching and smile

I've always wanted to write an article on LinkedIn about the sports and/or media industry and include witty insights and opinions on cross-platform viewing, disruption of legacy media and Big Tech. This is not that article. And, this is not an article, but a thank you note to a good human being and mentor who had a significant impact on me at a young age.

Earlier today I found out that the media industry lost one of its early pioneers in Don Mathison. Don was a trailblazer in the cable industry. I was stunned by the news of his passing and wanted to reflect about his positive impact and influence with many people in our industry.

After the news hit me, I found comfort when reading comments from various former colleagues and friends about Don in a Cable Old Timers group on Facebook. What struck was the impact Don had on many people within our business. The comments made me smile. I started to draft my own comment. One sentence led to two sentences then three. You get the idea.

Here's what I wrote on Facebook today to reflect and say thank you Don, a professor and mentor who challenged me in and outside the classroom and opened my mind and curiosity to the world of media.

I first knew Don as “Professor Mathison” when I took his cable TV class during my senior year at George Mason University.

Don was a pioneer in the cable world serving in various roles at a number of companies, but most notably in his role as SVP of Programming & Marketing at Media General Cable in Fairfax, Virginia.

Don was an influential person during the rise and accelerated growth of cable TV in the 80s and 90s, however his true calling was teaching and inspiring.

In our class, Don became an instant mentor to us. His enthusiasm, passion and storytelling about the cable industry captivated and motivated us to learn everything we could. He taught us to be sponges.

Think about it. Don had us — undergrads in the early 90s — subscribing to and reading Cable World and Broadcasting & Cable cover-to-cover — and studying the TCI-Bell Atlantic collapsed merger.

Don was a champion.

He pushed us to learn the art of networking. He invited programming networks to visit our class and pitch him — and us. He let us interact with executives from Disney and Turner; and to role play cable operator/network carriage negotiations during new channel sales pitches including ESPN2, HGTV, Sci-Fi Channel, FX and Cartoon Network. Talk about one amazing, real-world opportunity.

A few of took his industry networking advice and attended the Virginia state cable show. He was so proud to see us chasing people down to grab a conversation or business card.

Don invested in people.

He always made time. He took a genuine interest in people — and would offer sound advice or a nugget of learning. He had a positive influence with so many people.

Thank you Don.

Thank you for taking an interest in my learning and early career growth. Thank you for inspiring me to be a curious creature about the media business.

Thank you for introducing me to HTS (Home Team Sports) and encouraging (and nudging) them to take a chance on a 21-year old English major who wanted to blaze trails in sports media.

Don, you’ve left us too soon. But, your spirit and smile will remain; thank you for the positive impact you created with many of us. 

I’m fortunate we crossed paths at GMU. You shaped my career more than you know. Thank you.

RIP Mentor.