Call for Donations: Jeremy Shultz, Freelance Cameraman for CBS Sports and ESPN, Critically Hurt in Fire

To donate to Jeremy’s fund please click here. W9 forms are also available on request.

Jeremy Shultz a freelance cameraman for CBS Sports and ESPN, was involved in a fire at his home in South Carolina on Dec. 30 that resulted in second- and third-degree burns over 91% of his body. Shultz, who is known for his work on NFL and college football as well as NCAA basketball, was immediately airlifted to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, GA, where he is in critical condition.

“Jeremy is a highly valued freelance employee of CBS Sports and our hopes and prayers are for his complete recovery and for his family,” says Ken Aagaard, CBS Sports, EVP, Operations, Engineering, and Production Services.

Shultz was injured while protecting his long-time companion Maryann, and their four-year old son Dallas and 11-year old daughter Cinnamin, from the blaze. A hot gas canister exploded on the back deck of the house, throwing Shultz through the back door of the house and into the family’s Christmas tree. Maryann extinguished the fire on Jeremy with a blanket and the family escaped further harm. However the house was destroyed in the fire and all of their possessions were subsequently lost.

Shultz was scheduled to work for ESPN on a number of college football bowl games this weekend. “He is missed by our crews and all of our hearts go out to Jeremy and his family,” adds Chris Calcinari, ESPN, VP of Event Operations.

In an effort to help Jeremy’s family in this time of crisis a tax deductible fund has been set up. Ralph Avigliano, Business Manager of IBEW said the organizations will “do everything within its power to assist and help Jeremy and his family get through this trying time.”

Known as Jeremy’s Fund, the designated fund of the Alma Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, is requesting that checks be sent to the following address:

Bryant Bank
ATTN: Heike Harris for Jeremy’s Fund
1550 McFarland Blvd North
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406

Checks should be made out to “Jeremy’s Fund” and all donations are welcome during this difficult time.

Jim Cornell, CBS Sports Director, says Jeremy is known for bringing energy to the events he worked on, including NFL football, NCAA basketball, and the March Madness tournament. as he is an avid sports fan and “he probably knows most sports better than 90% of the people in the business.

“To Jeremy being a cameraman on sporting events is the greatest job in the world,” adds Cornell. “He and I have had many a conversations about our boys and I know Jeremy cherishes his little boy. He would always tell me the hardest part of the job is leaving him to go to a remote.”

SVG is urging all members and sponsors to help Jeremy and his family by contributing to a tax deductible fund that will be administered by a board comprised of sports broadcasting professional’s familiar with Jeremy’s situation.

Suzanne Smith, Director CBS Sports, adds, “Jeremy is one of my favorite guys out there both personally and professionally. He is great at his craft, an unbelievably hard worker, he always shows how much he cares, and how much he loves what he does. I thought the best description I heard about Jeremy from a friend at ESPN was, ‘he always has a twinkle in his eye.’”