...with Gary James.

the future of play by play announcers

Recently, I was talking with an Operations Manager at a small radio station in northwest Ohio, and he asked “Where are the future play by play announcers? It seems the kids coming out of college don’t want to move to a small town to call High School Sports.”

In today’s society, many rookies want to get the “perfect” gig right out of school. They have the attitude that they are owed something. The reality is they need to realize that Sports Broadcasters are just like Major League Baseball players. Can you picture Sammy Sosa, hitting one out of Wrigley when he was 10 years old? He had to play and develop his talent to the professional level. Broadcasting is the same, rookies have to start in the minor leagues (small market) and develop the talent they need to get a “shot at the majors”

One of the challenges facing the rookies in this business is “getting a foot in the door”. The Ohio/Illinois Centers for Broadcasting, is a career college that trains future broadcasters with a “hands on” approach. In addition to regular classroom studies, and studio time, all of our students are required to complete a 300 hour internship. We have developed internship programs with stations and sports franchises in the markets where we are located. (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and Denver) Often these internships develop into a graduates first paying gig.

One of the internships, is with the Cleveland Indians. In a recent season more than 80% of the interns with the Indians Broadcast Operations were students at the Ohio Center for Broadcasting. Steve Warren, Manager of Broadcasting Operations continues to utilize the students in a variety of duties, Camera Assistant, Matrix Operator, and Still Store Operators.

At a recent WNBA game, the camera crew was made up of all graduates of the program. All of the people on this crew started as interns with the Cleveland Indians. They put themselves in a position to be noticed. The important thing is being available when called upon.

Another opportunity available to our students is working with the local sports talk stations. Indians Beat Reporter, Mark Schwab, started his career with a foot in the door at WWWE (now WTAM), as an intern screening calls for Bruce Drennan. “Schwabbie” was always available to help out around the station, anywhere they needed him. His first real job in the business came as a board op/producer. Pretty soon there was a chance for him to gain some more experience working in the News Department, as a Reporter. (The one thing he swore he would never do) Mark realized the importance of keeping a foot “wedged” in the door. He wasn’t doing sports ……….. YET!!!
Soon the opportunity came for him to start doing some sports reporting and eventually become the “Beat Reporter” for the Indians.

Last season, the Cincinnati Campus of The Ohio Center for Broadcasting, entered into an agreement with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the East Coast Hockey League. Students broadcast the games live via the internet at http://80s.beonair.com. These student play by play announcers provide the call, color, sideline and post game interviews. It is up to the students to make the entire broadcast come together. Following there broadcast, they are critiqued by Cyclones broadcaster and 10-year professional hockey veteran Gregg DeVitto, working on their delivery and style.
(read the full press release: http://www.cycloneshockey.com/FullStory.cfm?ContentID=336)

The fastest way to your goal is NOT always a straight line. A challenge facing kids entering the business today is being able to put them in a position to be noticed by the right people. People that could make a difference in a career. Many rookies are afraid to do what they need to do, to get a break. Usually the biggest fear is making the move to the minor leagues (small market).

Then you have a guy like, Jeff Johnson, graduate from the Illinois Center for Broadcasting. He started in radio as an announcer at a small station in Grinnell, Iowa. After a short stint, working in Sales, News, Sports and Play by Play he was ready to start looking again. His break into Professional Baseball came this season when he was hired as the voice of the Mid-Missouri Mavericks, of the Frontier League.

Even sports veterans, benefit from The Ohio Center for Broadcasting. A Former Cincinnati Bengal, is 1993 graduate from the Cincinnati campus. He started his broadcasting career as an intern in the sports department at WLWT-TV. He put himself in a position to be noticed. Soon he was a sports reporter at the station and today you can catch him on Sunday afternoons in the booth as a Color Commentator with CBS for NFL games

People get started in this business in so many different ways. Some start in sales, others work in news and have a desire to be involved in sports, and they realize they need to sell the game if they are going to broadcast the game. Others have a dream to be a disc jockey and “stumble” on sports. Suddenly they find they have to pinch themselves as they walk into a Major League clubhouse for the first time.

So “Where are the future Play by Play announcers?” They are working at internships, learning the ropes, developing there skills and getting a foot in the door. They may be working with you or will be soon.

That Operations Manager was surprised to learn that The Ohio and Illinois Centers For Broadcasting is nurturing sports reporters, announcers and technical people. He has since told other managers and Program Directors about the opportunities available through The Ohio/Illinois Centers For Broadcasting.

The next time you are looking for a reliable, dependable person with a great attitude that wants to work in sports, call me. I will be happy to help you find that next superstar.

Gary is currently National Director of Placement at The Ohio/Illinois Centers for Broadcasting. He has 14+ years in Radio Programming. Gary has spent time as a news reporter, sports reporter(primarily High school), Air Personality and Program Director.

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