Like many sports business execs, T-Mobile VP/Media & Sponsorships MIKE BELCHER is no stranger to long layovers and racking up frequent flyer miles, as he has the responsibility of developing nationwide marketing programs. But after frequenting airports around the country during the week, Belcher gets to return to his home in Newcastle, Wash., where he and his family enjoy taking in the beautiful landscape, mountain ranges, extensive forests and mild summers that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
12TH MAN: We have family in town this weekend, but I'm sure we will watch lots of football, especially the Oregon Ducks and Seahawks. I love this time of year with the MLB playoff race, beginning of football season and anything my son is playing. Thanks to MLB.com, I can always watch the Dodgers and Mariners when I'm on the road. I think VIN SCULLY is the last voice I hear many nights before going to bed. There is no sleeping in at our house. We have three kids and two of them are under 4 years of age. The girls are 1 and 3 and I have a 15 year-old boy. Fortunately, I love the mornings, so I'm usually up by 6:00am so I can catch up on the news before the kids wake up. Of course, this time of year, I watch ESPN's "COLLEGE GAMEDAY." It's on here at 7:00am.
STICK TOGETHER: I usually have a few projects every weekend, but it seems like I'm always doing the dishes and there are lots of dishes with three kids. The chores that most people are surprised I am responsible for are changing diapers and helping with laundry. The closest I get to cooking is breakfast on Saturday mornings with the kids. They love Daddy's eggs. Otherwise, I take the kids out for a donut. Maple Bar is my favorite. I'll also come up with a game plan for work for the upcoming week. Then my wife and I create one for the family.
FAMILY GUY: When I am not working I try to go for a run outdoors or hit the gym for a workout on the treadmill and weights. I just need to do more of it. This might sound boring, but what I enjoy the most when I'm not working is being home with the family or watching my 15-year-old son play sports. He is a baller! The other would be golf. It's the one place that I can truly escape from work. It's like therapy for me. Hopefully my son and I can sneak in a round.
HOT SPOTS: We took our oldest daughter to a local Mexican restaurant near our house called Tapatio on the way home from the hospital after she was born. We go there a lot and they know us by name, which helps when you have little ones. My favorite is the Newcastle Golf Club. The food is great and the views are amazing. I get to experience so many great restaurants because of my job, but one of my favorites is Scarpetta in N.Y. The spaghetti is amazing! As far as nightlife, I like to unwind on a Saturday night at a local bar or bowling. If my wife and I are lucky enough to get out, we usually get away to the bar at the Newcastle Golf Club. It doesn't hurt that it is within walking distance. But as a family, we often travel to Sunriver Resort in Oregon. It is awesome for families and has some of the best golf courses in the U.S.
TRAVEL PLANS: The plane is the one time that I can attempt to get caught up on e-mails. On long flights, I do e-mails then either watch a movie or read.
CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT: Sixteen years ago I created our company’s annual charity golf tournament -- the Wannabe Cup. It is a very special weekend that brings together some of our closest friends and family to raise money for Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
