GLORIA FAIRFor the Herald-Journal| Herald-Journal
Meteorologist Jack Roper. Sounds good to Roper.
He spent four and a half years in college to be able to use the title and keep his job.
"I'm proud of that," Roper, 59, said. "It just goes to show, you can teach an old dog new tricks."
Five years ago when WSPA-TV was sold to Media General, the new owners made it known that everyone in the station's weather department had to have a meteorology degree. That left Roper out in the cold -- unless he did something about it.
He liked his job in television, and he wanted to keep it. The public wanted him to keep his job, too. He received an outpouring of support from the community.
So he enrolled in an online course at Mississippi State University. The course was designed specifically for working people. "WSPA was kind enough to pay for all my college costs for me to get the meteorology degree," Roper said.
"There were about 80 of us in the final class," he said. "And I flew down there for graduation day. I was hoping I was going to get to walk across a stage and get my degree, and I had already told all of my family that they had to go and watch. But they didn't do it that way.
We had to attend a final workshop and take an exit exam, and it was official: I was a certified meteorologist."
Support at work
Tom Crabtree, WSPA-TV news anchor, is impressed by Jack's attitude and hard work.
"I've never been prouder of a coworker than the first newscast where I called Jack 'meteorologist.' I'm extremely proud of Jack. All of us are," Crabtree said. "Many nights as I would leave the station, I would see Jack at his computer in our weather office doing his course work. He didn't make a big fuss about it. He didn't try to draw attention to himself or create fanfare.
"Those of us, like Jack, who have spent a lot of years at News Channel 7 have seen the technology change tremendously in newsgathering and forecasting. Jack was challenged to update and upgrade his skills, and he came through with flying colors.
"I think Jack has done a terrific job subbing for Christy while she's been on maternity leave. I think since receiving his meteorology degree, Jack has been more confident on-air than ever. He truly has gotten better as he's gotten older."
In the beginning
Roper, who is beginning his 21st year at WSPA, started in TV 25 years ago at a small station in Washington, N.C. The station was also Channel 7. "That's something, isn't it?" And the weather person he replaced? Mark Mancuso, who left to go with the Weather Channel. "He's still there," Roper said. "I kind of got thrown into the job when Mancuso left."
Roper's roots are in Union, his hometown. His first media job was at a Williamston where he ran the radio station. He signed on the station in the morning. His on-air break came when an advertiser wanted him to do a commercial. Roper was on the air and there was no stopping him then.
Roper, who came to WSPA from San Antonio, is the weather anchor on the 5 p.m. news and also the station's spokesman for the "Caring for the Carolinas" Promotions.
He has been named "Local TV Personality of the Year" three times by the S.C. Association of Broadcasters. He hosted an award-winning kids show for five years, and in 2003, won an Emmy award for his part in the 5 p.m. newscast.
Roper has made an estimated 2,500 appearances since coming to WSPA-TV. He performs his anti-drug magic shows for schools, plus doing his Positive Attitude speech for civic groups, churches, and other organizations.
Three loves
If you want to see Roper smile, just let him tell you about his four grandchildren. "When my first grandchild was on the way, I wasn't too fond of the idea of being called granddaddy. But I got over that after about four days. Now they are a big joy in my life. When weekends come, I'm heading to visit the grandchildren."
Besides his grandchildren, Roper has two other loves: Magic and music.
His interest in magic began when he was a young boy watching his hero, Carl Ballentine on the Ed Sullivan Show. "He would do magic tricks, but he also was funny. I loved to watch him," he said.
"I was an only child, so I guess I was used to attention. I always was doing things to get attention. I guess I just wanted to perform."
He is a self-taught magician, with some humor thrown in, and it comes in handy when he is making community appearances for the television station. "I've done magic longer than anything else," he said. "And I'd rather have laughter any day than applause."
As for his love of music, Roper put together a rock 'n' roll band about three years ago. It's called "The Weatherman Band." He plays the drums and a little saxophone and loves playing at Saturday festivals.
"I had rather play in a flatbed truck on a Saturday afternoon than most any place," he said. The band's next appearance is the first Saturday in April for the town festival in Pendleton.
"I learned to play uke as a kid of 12 or so," Roper said. "I started a band when I was 16, as a drummer. I collect instruments and play about a dozen different ones. Nothing very well. Trust me, I will keep my day job."
The weatherman
Have you ever wondered how meteorologists know what they're pointing to when they're standing in front of a green screen? That's what they're doing. There is no map behind them, just a blank, green screen. But there are television monitors on both sides of them and in front of them with the maps, which let them see where to point.
"If you can look in the bathroom mirror and touch your nose, then you can do it," he said of the technique. "You see yourself and the map in the monitors, so you can see where to point. You get used to it."
You also get used to seeing yourself on television.
"Television people are ego people," he said. "We're either lacking something or looking for something."
The need for attention was part of the reason he chose television. And he certainly gets attention. People recognize him when he goes out and always speak to him. "It's a TV thing," he said. "People kid around with you, and that's fine. I like kidding around with them. I look at it this way, if they don't speak to you, they don't know you. I'd rather have them know me."
He also likes doing something that's important, and, he says, "Weather is an important source and knowing the forecast is something a lot of people depend on."
He also is involved in the community. "I like to stay busy," he said. He volunteers for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Alzheimer's Association when needed.
Roper and his "sweet" wife, Mary, will celebrate their 40th anniversary in January. They raised three boys. Jeffrey is a morning radio personality in Columbia. He and his wife have two daughters, Abby and Jackie. Matthew is in Spartanburg and owns his own music and promotion company. He and his wife have two sons, Nathan and Josh. The youngest son is Jonathan. He and his wife have a big dog named Riley. They live in Charlotte.
"Family is something I'm really proud of," Roper said.
