Any Broadcasters?

[Doggcow]

I'm getting into the school of communication now and looking to begin my broadcasting career. I'm interested in sports broadcasting, such as sportscasts, commentary, daily sports news, and pretty much anything sports.

Anyone already in this career have any tips and info they could share with me?

[Hotrod]

Dude not me although I do play a pretty mean radio at times.

Check out the "OM Job networking" forum. You might get something going there.

[Doggcow]

Oh, I didn't see it all the way down there lol. Could a Mod move my thread?

[loborugger]

Bronco Buff has been one in the past. Hit him up.

[Sacked by Croel]

Not a broadcaster, but have worked in the sports industry and know my share of them personally. In the beginning, take anything and everything that is available. At whatever school you have enrolled at, broadcast anything that you can get your hands on - even if it's volleyball, lacrosse, you name it.

You probably won't be able to do the high profile events (football, basketball) as a play-by-play guy at first, but you can still help out on the staff and get invaluable experience as a stringer or spotter.

Away from school, get out there and look for play-by-play opportunities in high school, amateur, semi-pro, minor league sports.

Even if you have trouble finding work, get a voice recorder, a video camera and another pal and head to a big HS game and do it yourself. Stream it on the web.

Here's a link to a guy here in San Diego who dreamed of becoming a broadcaster, he started televising major HS games and streamed them on the web.

http://www.kbcsports.com/schedule.asp

There are millions of different possibilities out there. The main thing is you have to get out there and do it. Don't let rejections stop you. You can make it big if you are persistent and relentless in your pursuit of becoming a broadcaster.

[Sacked by Croel]

Be a jack-of-all-trades. In this new age of sports journalism, the more things you do well, the better off you will be. The people that can do multiple tasks well - sports writing, broadcast, photography, camera work, video editing, technical work (sound editing, CHYRON) - are going to get the jobs at websites, radio stations, TV stations, newspapers, etc.

In addition to broadcasting games, you should also consider doing sports packages similar to what you see during the sports report on the local news.

Get a camera with a tripod and go cover a game/practice. Film highlights of the game or practice. In addition, get interviews with the coach and the star players. Once you get your material, you edit the clips and turn it into a 1-2 minute package like you see on ESPN.

If you put together great stuff like that, you are going to be someone in high demand. And you might be making money sooner than you think in the business.

[Doggcow]

I was gonna get a flash recorder and take it to games and sit in the stands and record myself for the summer. I was also applying to local radio stations and our on campus TV station to do the sportscast at the end of the hour.

[BroncoBuff]

I'll PM you

[TexanBob]

The pay is below sucky until you can make a name for yourself. You have to really want it to stay in it.

Although, it you want to get on ESPN, that's easy. Show a talent for YELLING nonsensical accusations and screams of incoherency without pausing to think about what you've just said and you could be the next Stephen A. Smith, Woody Paige, Skip Bayless, Tony Kornheiser, Dick Vitale...

Good luck anyway.

[Bob]

or, simply become a superstar in football first (I hear the Broncos could use a QB.)

[Doggcow]

Originally Posted by Bob

or, simply become a superstar in football first (I hear the Broncos could use a QB.)

I roll 5'8'' 165, I could bulk up more and maybe hit 200, Dunno where I could play though..

[AlphaOmega]

I'll PM you

[Bob]

Originally Posted by Doggcow

I roll 5'8'' 165, I could bulk up more and maybe hit 200, Dunno where I could play though..

If Doug Flutie did it ....

Good luck to you, in all seriousness, whatever you choose, choose something you are passionate about, and that will cover for you on the bad days.

[Doggcow]

I'm a huge sports nut, I have ridiculous amounts of knowledge locked away already. I also have a pretty entertaining personality. I absolutely love gamecasting and debating about sports. I love everything about the career path I have chosen. I dig up sports information left and right for no reason.

[ElwayMD]

Originally Posted by Doggcow

I'm getting into the school of communication now and looking to begin my broadcasting career. I'm interested in sports broadcasting, such as sportscasts, commentary, daily sports news, and pretty much anything sports.

Anyone already in this career have any tips and info they could share with me?

Don't expect to be rich and famous any time soon. I did play by play for football and basketball at my college for 4 years and was also the sports anchor of our weekly broadcast. I also worked for the local AM radio station doing high school football games.

I was offered a job working in Butte, Montana but turned it down because I couldn't see myself working in Butte. Since then I have taught broadcasting and the one tip I can give you if you want to be talent is you have to bust your ass every single day. There are thousands of people trying to get the same position you are going for and the only way you set yourself apart is by working hard and putting more effort than those around you (working for less pay doesn't hurt also).

Get an internship right away so you make connections and also understand the business. Your broadcasts in college will not be the same as in the real world of broadcasting. The more people you know in the business will help you get your foot in the door. After that the rest will be up to you.