ISTV.com: Okay, it was quite a surprise to pretty much everybody in the BMX community when you announced that you'd left the NBL and would not even be attending the NBL Grands. Tell us what brought about the decision to leave the NBL…
Jeff Sack: “It was no surprise to the people closest to me and quite honestly it was the easiest decision that I have ever had to make. There is this pre-conceived notion out there that working in the BMX industry is the greatest thing in the world. Sure, it definitely has its perks, but for those of us who truly love BMX – it’s an inescapable passion. Six years ago when I started working for the NBL, BMX was my life. I lived to ride BMX, travel for BMX, talk about BMX, read about BMX, etc. BMX was my life. It was the one variable that always remained constant in my life and the one thing that I always had to fall back on. As the years passed by it slowly became my own worst enemy. Looking back on it all now, I put so many things – from family to money, to happiness and true love – on hold because I kept convincing myself that BMX is the best thing that I had going in my life. Working for the NBL robbed me of my passion. There’s so much more to life than two-wheeled bicycles… In the last days my job consumed me to the point that the last thing that I wanted to do at the end of the day is touch my bike or think about BMX anymore. I woke up in the morning and checked BMX websites. I went to work and looked at BMX bikes and dealt with BMX political drama all day long. I came home from the office and paced the backyard talking on my cell phone about BMX until I drove myself bonkers. Today I still read BMX web sites and magazines, and I still talk on the phone about the same old, same old BMX drama to my friends – but now I’m doing it all on my own terms. Not because “I have to” and it’s my job, but because “I want to”. Since I finally let go of my childhood dream of working in the industry it has made me appreciate everything that I have in my life so much more. I feel 17 again and life is fresh. I’m stoked to ride around the neighborhood and jump curbs, ride the local skatepark, trails, or track. I guess you can say that things for me have come full circle. I’m right back where I started, but I’ve been taught a whole lot of valuable lessons about life (and about myself) along the way.”

ISTV.com: Give a little background about how you came to be involved with the NBL.
Jeff Sack: “Growing up I always dreamed of working in the bike industry. In high school my friends and I put together a local ‘zine called “Phat Zine”. I was getting really into photography at the time and working on the ‘zine was my first glimpse into the graphic design world. In ’97 Steve Buddendeck from SNAP Magazine came to our trails during the Akron Buckeye National to do a photo shoot with Robbie Miranda. It was that day that I realized that I wanted to one day work for a BMX magazine as a writer, photographer, and designer. Steve gave me some great advice that afternoon and after high school I decided to go to college for graphic design and photography. In the late summer of ’99 I noticed an ad in BMX Today looking for an assistant editor. I knew that I was perfect for the position and I had it in my head that there was no way that I was going to let them say no. I typed up a resume, go together some samples, and the next day I drove down to Columbus to drop them off at the NBL office. I got a call and was hired a few days later. As they say, the rest is history!”

ISTV.com: What was your favorite, or are some of your favorite moments in BMX?
Jeff Sack: “I have favorite BMX racing moments and favorite BMX moments. Favorite BMX racing moments: Watching Mike Day come from behind to win his first ever AA main in Orlando (and then going on to win the NBL title), hearing the intensity of the crowd at the UCI Worlds in Holland when Warwick Stevenson won the World #1 title, and the mud-fest battle between Kyle Bennett and Randy Stumpfhauser at the Grands for the NBL title in 2003 (I sometimes can’t believe that we pulled that race off). Favorite BMX moments: Spring Break 2003 with Derek Betcher and Gonz, Dave Bittner’s house during South Park week (any year), helping to build the 2001 UCI Worlds track with Billy Au and EB, and $0.50 beer night at Phoenix Hill Tavern in Louisville with DB, BF, and Ritz.”

ISTV.com: Here's a touchy one; I feel that what an "adult" does in an "adult" setting outside of their position in BMX is basically nobody's business. I know you've taken some heat for some wild moments "after hours". What's your thoughts on that.
Jeff Sack: “For me there had to be a point where Jeff Sack the NBL employee ended and Jeff Sack the person began. I’m the type of person who always makes the best of life and I always made it a point to go out and have a good time after the races. Did I do some stupid stuff here and there? Sure – And I don’t regret it one bit. It’s part of being young and learning who you are through your mistakes.”

ISTV.com: When I talked to you, it sounded like everything was going great. Let everybody know what you are involved in now work wise.
Jeff Sack: “Right now I’ve got my hands involved in a little bit of everything… I’ve been the editor of a Midwestern skateboarding lifestyle/culture magazine called Stuck for just under a year. Stuck is a free bi-monthly publication based out of Ohio, started by my good friend Eric Brown, also formerly of the NBL. Right now we’re in the production our 10th issue and it’s looking to be the best issue to date! Since moving here I have done a little bit of everything. I spent the first four weeks remodeling the house and learned that I’m handier than I ever imagined. Right now I am working for the largest graphic design staffing firm in Boston. It’s cool to work there because I’ve gotten to experience different “real world” working environments… You know, shirt and tie stuff. Since I’ve been doing so much freelance work (and there’s so much freelance work in this area), I’m seriously considering opening up my own agency like Steve Buddendeck did a few years back with Axis. The agency will produce publications, ads, corporate branding materials, photography, web sites, etc. There is a magazine on here on the South Shore that I’m trying to take on in addition to Stuck. We’ll see what happens; only time will tell!”

ISTV.com: If it's not too personal, tell everybody about the marriage and the big move to Boston.
Jeff Sack: “Married life is going great! My wife and I have been together for four years on Halloween, scary huh? Elspeth is the best thing that ever happened to me. She understands what makes me tick and she also knows how to make me happy (which is often hard to do since I can be so indecisive at times). She always knew how important my job was to me and I always knew home important moving home was for her (she’s from Massachusetts originally). We made a deal that in 2008 after the Olympics were done we would both leave our jobs, move east, and start new lives together. Elspeth’s Grandmother had an unfortunate accident earlier in the year that took her from us quite unexpectedly. Soon after her Grandfather was placed in a home and then we were presented with an opportunity that we just couldn’t pass up. Elspeth’s Great-Great Grandfather built the house that we are living at in the early 1900’s. Three generations of her family have lived under this roof; her Mother grew up in this very house. We decided to move here right after our wedding, help renovate the house, and also help to take care of her Grandfather. From the beginning this place has just felt like home to us and right now I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else (even with all of the rain as of late).”

ISTV.com: What's the plan for the future? Is BMX involved in any way?
Jeff Sack: “Who knows what the future holds as far as BMX is concerned. I will always ride my bike and I will always have fond memories of my time in the BMX industry. The thing I loved most about my job was working on the magazine. When I resigned my position at the NBL, I gave them the option of doing the magazine from Massachusetts and was told that it just wasn’t an option. I enjoyed the work, just not all of the B.S. that went along with it. I don’t want to come out and say that I’ll never work in the BMX industry again – right now it’s not my plan. If an opportunity were to come up I would definitely consider it, but right now focusing on my family is the most important thing in my life. We’re enjoying our new home, our new location, and of course we’re enjoying married life. We’re planning on starting a family of our own soon, and that is what’s at the heart of it all for me.”

ISTV.com: Have any feelings on the Olympics? What are your picks assuming no surprises?
Jeff Sack: “Barring lawsuits and political drama, I’d like to believe that Team USA will be the fastest team in Beijing based solely on pure talent and the ability to win the gold medal. If I had to pick right now based on 2006 results, I’d say that Bubba Harris, Mike Day, and Kyle Bennett would all be at the top of my list. Who knows though, anything can happen! Although we’re still a few years away from the Olympics, I look at other countries (like Australia) who already have their teams, coaches, and government funding in place, and it’s a shame that American BMX racing is that far behind everyone else’s progression.”

ISTV.com: Take as much room as you'd like here for any concluding thoughts, thanks, etc…
Jeff Sack: “Always remember that the grass can always be greener… Thanks to my wife, Elspeth, for her constant love and support – I wouldn’t be who I am without her. Thanks to my best friends Billy Au, Eric Brown, Ethan Paige and also thanks to my fair-weather BMX friends: Derek Betcher, Brian Fell, Greg Romero, Bill Grad, Jack McDaniel, James Ayres, Steve Buddendeck, Ryan Birk, Dave Bittner, and anyone else I may have forgotten.”

Craig Reynolds first introduced me to Jeff Sack at Christmas Classic years ago. Jeff was extremely helpful to me and allowed me to get right out on the track to shoot. Later, after seeing an example of my work in a Phat Matts ad, Jeff asked me to help the NBL out with photos for their BMX Today publication. 

  Since that time I've had the great experience of spending some time with Jeff at various events throughout the past few years. I've honestly never known anyone involved in BMX that was more passionate about the sport and GENUINELY interested in improving and promoting the sport; Not just the organization he was involved in, the entire sport.

  I'd heard rumors of Jeff leaving but chalked that up to frustrations. Everybody's heard rumors of people leaving, venues changing, etc. etc. I just didn't think it would actually happen, especially not as abrupt as it seemed.

  It was good to talk with Jeff for a bit and I hope to keep in touch and hopefully even work with Jeff in the future.

  Thanks Jeff, for taking the time out of what I'm sure is a busy schedule to do this interview - talk to you soon,

Jack