Open Post #10 - Final Minute of the "Miracle on Ice"

After showing you the video of a fictional sports broadcaster who clearly misrepresented the field, I wanted to show you one of my all time favorite lines from a sportscaster.  Below is a video of the 1980 United States Men's Olympic Hockey team win over the USSR, known as the Miracle on Ice.  Watch and listen as legendary sportscaster Al Michaels gives the play by play of the final minute of the game.











Watching this clip of a 34 year old hockey game still brings chills up my spine.  You can hear the anxiousness and excitement in Michaels' voice as he and the rest of the world watch one of the greatest, if not the greatest, upsets in sports history.  His legendary line "Do you believe in miracles?...YES!" is still something that brings a warm feeling to a sports lovers heart.  It is legendary moments like these that set apart the good commentators from to great ones.  I one day hope I am lucky enough to be announcing a game of this magnitude and able to find the right words to say when the time comes.  

Prompt Post #10 - Misrepresentation of the Field

The clip above is from the movie The Love Guru.  It depicts two hockey broadcasters announcing the Stanley Cup Finals.  Stephen Colbert plays the announcer who is on drugs.  In this case, Colbert displays everything wrong with what a sportscaster should be like.  If this was a real life scenario the announcer would be fired and possibly even more action might be taken.  As I explained in previous blogs, sportscasters should be professional and watch what they say on national or local television.  Real sportscasters are well kept and professional when performing their respective duties, and yes of course sober.  Although this clip is from a fictional comedy, it is misrepresenting how a sportscaster should conduct himself.  In real life the two announcers would most likely be talking about the match-up that is about to occur if it is during the pregame.  If it is during the game, the announcers would be articulating what they are seeing with their professional opinions for the audience.  Finally, if the game is over the sportscasters would give a recap of what happened in the game and then the broadcast would be over.

Open Post #9 - Images of Sports Center Anchors

Here are some images of Sports Center anchors.  This is one of my main aspirations in the sports field.

Open Post #8 - Images of Sports Reporters

These are images of sports reporters in the field interviewing athletes.  This is another position in the sport broadcasting world that I am interested in.

Prompt post #9 - The Importance of Sports Broadcasting

       For this prompt post I am supposed to find the importance of my career field.  For those people who watch sports religiously like I do then this seems obvious, however, some people do not care for sports all that much.  Without the airing of professional sports on television or radio the mast majority of people would not be able to watch the game live.  It would require owning a ticket to the sporting event to be able to watch your favorite team.  With the broadcasting of sporting events now so available to the general public, it is easy to kick back on your coach, crack a cold one, and watch your team, as well as others, from the comfort of your own home.  To the people who love sports this is a Godsend.  "Broadcasting technologies have transformed the spectator experience, making the many thrilling performances featured in top-tier sporting events available on multiple platforms and in multiple formats" (Vazquez, para. 1).  Where there is a sporting event being aired, sure enough a sportscaster will be there too calling the game.  As I mentioned in previous blogs, sportscasters bring an extra element to the viewing experience that you do not get if you were to attend the event.  It is nice to listen to people give their opinion about the teams throughout the game.  People also learn about the game, as well as facts and statistics, from listening to the sportscaster throughout the game.  They use this knowledge in their everyday lives when having conversations.  Without the sportscasters watching the game would be dry.

Vazquez, Rafael F. "Sport and broadcasting rights: adding value." WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization. WIPO, Apr. 2013. Web. 3 Nov. 2014. <http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2013/02/article_0005.html>. 

Prompt Post #8 - Practicing My Skill

       During this past weekend I watched a lot of football.  Saturday and Sunday were basically nothing but me laying on my couch watching all of the games I possibly could.  While I was laying there I figured I should practice my broadcasting skills out.  I waited until the Sunday afternoon game of the New York Giants vs. the Dallas Cowboys to hone in on my skills.  I picked this game because the Cowboys are my favorite team and I figured what better practice then with my favorite team against a team I cannot stand.  I would have to be unbiased in my play-by-play calling.

       I decided to do the play-by-play announcing for only the first quarter.  I put the television on mute and began to act as if I were really play by play announcing to the world.  It felt pretty silly at first since it was just me in the room and silent but I got into it a little more and more as the time passed.  I found it actually very difficult to keep it interesting without a person beside me to keep a conversation with.  Every sporting event has at least two or three people casting a game.  I also found it very difficult to not root for the Cowboys when they did good or talk down on the Giants.  This is something I am going to definitely have to work on before I am allowed to do play-by-play for any Dallas team.  

       All in all I found it quite interesting and fun and it made me want to get into the career even faster.  Play-by-play announcing for any team is definitely something that I would be interested in as a long-term career if I am not able to land a job as an anchor on Sportscenter or a job with the Dallas Cowboys or Dallas Mavericks. 

Open Post #7

Here are a few images of play-by-play announcers.  This is one of the areas of sports broadcasting I am interested in.

Prompt Post #7 - Women In Sports Broadcasting

       For my prompt post this week I needed to find a controversy in my field.  It was hard to think of any controversies surrounding the field of sports broadcasting, however, it dawned on me that women do not get the credit that they deserve in the field.  Women have been discriminated in sports broadcasting and it continues even in today's time.
       For as long as sports broadcasting, as well as reporting news in general, has been a career, men have dominated the field.  Women have played a role in the beginning, however, a very minor one if any.  Many people might recognize the name Erin Andrews or Suzy Kolber, however, "(Mrs. Harry) Johnson, (Jane) Chastain, and (Lesley) Visser paved the way for females to enter the sports broadcasting field" (Gunther 73).  Even though these women paved the road, women were usually hired for their looks and not for their knowledge or credentials.  "Phyllis George was hired as a sportscaster in the mid 1970s.  Even though George was a hard worker, most viewers only saw this former Miss America as a sex symbol, not a reporter.  George was not hired for her knowledge at all; her job was to add femininity to the male-dominated broadcasts" (Gunther 73).  Even in today's sports broadcasting world women are usually reduced to a limited role.  Only a few women have a consistent on-air personality and even then it is somewhat limited.
       Women were not even allowed into the locker room after a game to interview the players.  They were forced to wait outside and wait for the male reporters to finish their interviews before they could even have a chance at talking to a player.  "It wasn’t until 1978 that it was ruled that male and female reporters had equal access to the locker rooms after Melissa Ludtke took Major League Baseball to court after not being permitted in the locker room upon completion of the 1977 World Series.  Even
after this court ruling women still had difficulty gaining access to locker rooms for some time" (Gunther 74).
      Even with new rules permitting equal opportunities for female and male reporters, the damage seems to have been done.  A lot of women do not even consider an on-air sports anchor as a realistic opportunity.  Most women see themselves as sideline reporters since that is their best chance and landing a job.
       With the changing views in our society and more of equal opportunities for both male and females, sports would be wise in following suit.  Women are just as knowledgeable and in some cases know even more than their male counterpart.  As a male pursuing this career I hope that I am not considered over a female who has better credentials.  I believe that everyone should have an opportunity and I want to earn my spot instead of receiving it just for being a male.





Gunther, Amanda, Daniel Kautz, and Allison Roth. "The Credibility of Female Sports Broadcasters: The Perception of Gender in a Male-Dominated Profession." Human Communication 14.2 (2011): 71-84. Web. 17 Oct. 2014.

Open Post #6

      I wanted to talk a little about the Ray Rice domestic abuse charges he is facing as it pertains to sports broadcasting.  When you are in a position where you in the public eye constantly you have to very careful in what you say or do.  Ray Rice was recently suspended by the National Football League for knocking his then fiancee (now wife) out.  What I want to talk about is a sportscaster who made comments on the incident. 
       Ted Robinson, a long time broadcaster for the San Francisco 49ers, was recently suspended for comments he made about the situation.  "The 57-year-old Robinson spoke to KNBR radio on Monday and said Rice's now-wife, Janay, was partly to blame for not speaking up" (Associated Press para. 2).  When dealing with a delicate situation such as domestic abuse Robinson should have been more careful with what he had to say publicly.  It does not matter if that is what he believes, his job is to present the facts as they are and not speculate and give his opinion on the matter for the simple fact that it could offend many people.  In this case that is exactly what happened.  People who have suffered through domestic abuse consider themselves to be victims of a vicious act and there was nothing that they could do to stop it.  Robinson has since apologized for his remarks.  
       I just wanted to bring this particular situation to light to show other potential and current sports broadcasters that what they say on air can affect their job.  Robinson was lucky he was only suspended because in some cases the person has been fired for their remarks.  Just be mindful of the situation at hand and think of the potential consequences of an action before acting.


Associated Press, . "San Francisco 49ers radio broadcaster suspended for comments about Ray Rice's fiancee." Fox News. FOX News Network, LLC, 11 Sept. 2014. Web. 17 Oct. 2014. <http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2014/09/11/san-francisco-4ers-radio-broadcaster-suspended-over-comments-about-ray-rice/>.

Prompt Post #6 - 2014 FIFA World Cup Coverage

      "(ESPN) ha(s) reminded us all once again why when it comes to conveying sports on television – the drama, the power, the emotion and passion – no one can touch them" (Clapp para. 1).  I was able to find a very cool and unique video that highlighted all of the exciting moments of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Not only does it highlight these great moments, it shows what sports broadcasting means to the sport of soccer, as well as any sport.  Below is the link to the video.

2014 FIFA World Cup Recap

     This video shows that sports broadcasters bring another element to just watching a sporting event.  Some people watch sports just because they like the specific sport while others are fanatics about the team playing.  Either way, a sportscaster is able to draw you in emotionally with what he or she says.  Whether it be by his excited play by play of a spectacular play or the sorrow in his voice when a team is defeated, one can not help but be emotionally invested into the game.  The camera view is just as important to succeed in setting a mood.  Listening to the heartbreak in the announcers voice accompanied by a shot of a weeping player affects the viewer on an emotional level.  Just from watching this clip and not knowing some of the background history of some of the teams, I was emotionally invested in what was being portrayed.  

       For some people sports is life.  They wait all year for one event (four years in the case of the Olympics or World Cup) so having these sportscasters make an emotional connection with them is critical.  No one wants to watch the sporting event and hear dry, bland commentating that makes the game boring.  "It's essential for a sportscaster to be liked, believed, and trusted.  It's a matter of making emotional contact" (Decker 9).  I believe this video shows how critical it is for sportscasters to be apart of the viewing experience.  They draw the viewers in on a more direct and emotional level to make the game that much more exciting and fun to watch,

   


Clapp, Brian. "Why ESPN Still Stands Alone in Sports Broadcasting." Work In Sports. World Press, 15 July 2014. Web. 10 Oct. 2014. <http://www.workinsports.com/blog/why-espn-still-stands-alone-in-sports-broadcasting/#ooid=Jub212bjok4ka156rEoLUaopCPhyXOYf>.

Decker, Bert. You've Got to Be Believed to Be Heard: Reach the First Brain to Communicate in Business and in Life. N.p.: n.p., 1993. 9. Print.

Open Post #5 - Salary

       I was thinking about the debt I am going to be in once I conclude my time here at Michigan State University and it made me want to find out how much I was going to make in the sports broadcasting field.  I was hoping that the average annual salary was at least $50,000.  "The average annual salary for a sports broadcaster was $59,000 as of 2013, according to the job website Simply Hired" (Suttle para. 2).  I found this quite reassuring in my pursuance of this career.  This number seems like a reasonable amount to live comfortably and still be able to pay off my student debt.  Even more relaxing was finding out that working as a sports broadcaster in Dallas I would be making the national average of about $59,000 per year.  "Expect to earn salaries closer to the industry average in Dallas or Cincinnati -- $60,000 or $59,000 per year, respectively" (Suttle para. 3).  I want to be able to live on my own and not have to move back in with my parents (like some people do after graduating) .  The key is being able to find a job right out of college.  However, hopefully in my time here at Michigan State I am able to establish connections and acquire an internship that helps me achieve this goal.  


Suttle, Rick. "What Is the Average Yearly Income for a Sport's Broadcaster?." Global Post. GlobalPost, 2014. Web. 6 Oct. 2014. <http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/average-yearly-income-sports-broadcaster-7895.html>.

Prompt Post #5 - FLISE

       An organization that I am apart of on campus is the Future Leaders In Sports and Entertainment, or better known as FLISE.  FLISE gives students a chance to be introduced to people already successful in the field of sports and entertainment.  We meet every other Tuesday at IM West which is on campus at Michigan State.  A meeting usually consists of a short overview of current events that we can volunteer to be apart of followed by a guest speaker.  This past Tuesday, September 30, 2014, our guest speaker was MSU Athletic Director Marc Hollis.  He was able to give us really helpful insight to what it takes to do his job.  We also volunteer at sporting events helping pass out flyers or items for the first 500 students or something of that nature.  Not only do we volunteer at sporting events but we give back to the community as well.  We are also involved with the Nike Reuse a Show program.  The program is where people donate old shows that they no longer wear so that Nike can recycle them into making tracks or outdoor basketball courts.   I believe that the community really appreciates what FLISE does and supports our efforts.

Open Post #4 - Tony Kornheiser

       One person I have always looked up to as a sports reporter and analyst has been Tony Kornheiser.  Tony is most famous now a days for his role on the ESPN show Pardon The Interruption (PTI).  He co-hosts the show with fellow partner Michael Wilbon.  Kornheiser and Wilbon debate and talk about all current events in all of the major sports.  PTI has been a catalyst in my desire to pursue the career of sportscasting and sports reporting. 

       Tony Kornheiser first got his shot in the sports world as a reporter for the Washington Post in 1979.  "Kornheiser joined ESPN in November 1997 as host of ESPN Radio’s Tony Kornheiser Show, which premiered January 5, 1998 and continued until March 2004" ("Tony Kornheiser" para. 7).  In 2001, PTI made its debut and continues today.  "From 2006-08, Kornheiser was a booth commentator on ESPN’s Monday Night Football, demonstrating his unique ability to inform and entertain viewers" ("Tony Kornheiser" para. 4).  From this, Korheiser and Wilbon were able to take their show across America to different cities that hosted Monday Night Football.  

       Kornheiser still writes for the Washington Post, however, he is most recognized nationally for his part on  Pardon The Interruption.  He has been a role model to me and a constant example of how someone should conduct himself in the field.  Respected by many, Tony Kornhesier continues to attract many fans because people want to hear what he has to say.  

"Tony Kornheiser." ESPN Media Zone. ESPN MediaZone, 2014. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.        <http://espnmediazone.com/us/bios/kornheiser_tony/>.      

Prompt Post #4 - Code of Ethics

       Every career field, for the most part, has a Code of Ethics it adheres to.  I wanted to find out what the field of sports journalism's Code of Ethics looked like.  I found this from the APSE, Associated Press Sports Editors:

1. The newspaper pays its staffer’s way for travel, accommodations, food and drink.
1. If a staffer travels on a chartered team plane, the newspaper should insist on bring billed. If the team cannot issue a bill, the amount can be calculated by estimating the cost of a similar flight on a commercial airline.
    
2. When services are provided to a newspaper by a pro or college team, those teams should be reimbursed by the newspaper. This includes providing telephone, typewriter or fax service.
    
2. Editors and reporters should avoid taking part in outside activities or employment that might create conflict of interest or even appearance of a conflict.
1. They should not serve as an official scorer at baseball games.
    
2. They should not write for team or league media guides or other team or league publications. This has the potential of compromising a reporter’s disinterested observations.
    
3. Staffers who appear on radio or television should understand that their first loyalty is to the paper.
    
3. Writers and writers’ groups should adhere to APME and APSE standards: No deals, discounts or gifts except those of insignificant value or those available to the public.
1. If a gift is impossible or impractical to return, donate a gift to charity.
    
2. Do not accept free memberships or reduced fees for memberships. Do not accept gratis use of facilities, such as golf courses or tennis courts, unless it is used as part of doing a story for the newspaper.
    
3. Sports editors should be aware of standards of conduct of groups and professional associations to which their writers belong and the ethical standards to which those groups adhere, including areas such as corporate sponsorship from news sources it covers.
    
4. A newspaper should not accept free tickets, although press credentials needed for coverage and coordination are acceptable.
    
5. A newspaper should carefully consider the implications of voting for all awards and all-star teams and decide if such voting creates a conflict of interest.
    
6. A newspaper’s own ethical guidelines should be followed, and editors and reporters should be aware of standards acceptable for use of unnamed sources and verification of information obtained other than from primary news sources.
1. Sharing and pooling of notes and quotes should be discouraged. If a reporter uses quotes gained secondhand, that should be made known to the readers. A quote could be attributed to a newspaper or to another reporter.
    
7. Assignments should be made on merit, without regard for race or gender.

        I would have to agree with all these because I found that all these guidelines were very similar to the way I was raised.  Sports reporting is our job.  We should not accept handouts or free stuff because we are already being paid to cover it.  Just like regular journalist reporting news in the world, we should be unbiased on our views and present the facts as they are.  Unless you are writing an opinion column, people want to read the facts and come up with their own decision on the subject at hand.  However, I think a lot of people in the world are nervous about trusting what they read in the newspaper.  Journalism has become very biased over the years and have their own agenda when reporting the news.  Sexy sells.  I think people are realizing this more and more each day.  If you were to ask a random person on the street what they thought of journalists, you might not get a very good reaction from them.  It is our job as future journalist to change this view on the reporting world.  

       As a sports journalists, I think it is slightly easier to adhere to these Code of Ethics.  We are not reporting political or religious views (for the most part) just facts and statistics.  We must be sure to stay unbiased though when reporting.  I think it is very easy to report good things on your favorite athletic team and blissfully ignore the bad things.  On the other hand, I think it can be very easy to report the bad stuff about your favorite team's rival.  We must keep this in the back of our mind while writing down articles.  

       I want to be known for my honest and truthful reporting.  No matter who or what I am covering I am going to be sure to present the facts as they are and let the people come up with their own opinion.  I believe that if more people reported this way then the stereotype of dirty and untrustworthy reporting can be abolished.    

"Ethics Guidelines." APSE: Associated Press Sports Editors. apsportseditors.org, n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.

Open Post #3 - Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame

        No matter what sport you played growing up I bet you had a dream of one day becoming a Hall of Fame inductee.  For many, this dream ended once high school ended.  Others were given four more years in college before having to give up this dream.  A small percentage of athletes actually get the chance at the professional level to showcase their talents.  An even smaller percentage has the opportunity to call them self a Hall of Famer.  What does this have to do with sports broadcasting you might ask?  In doing research I found that there is actually a Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

        What does this mean?  You don't have to give up your dream of becoming a Hall of Famer.  Granted, it is still an extremely tough achievement to accomplish, however the opportunity is still there.  "Our goal is simple: to honor those from across the entire spectrum of the sports broadcast industry who impacted, directly or indirectly, the way sports television is produced" (Aagaard para. 2).  Household names such as Al Michaels, Pat Summerall, John Madden and Dick Enberg are just a few of the sportscasters that are already inducted into the Hall of Fame.  It is also composed of behind the scene types and innovators in the production of sports, such as, "management, production, technical operations, leagues and teams, manufacturers and vendors, engineering, and On-Air Talent" (Aagaard para. 4).  

       It is encouraging to know that there is a chance to still go down in history as Hall of Famer.  I always wanted to be a professional basketball player, however, I came up short in that regard.  I believe I can still redeem myself by going down as one of the greatest sportscasters.  All it takes is a little hard work and determination.



Aagaard, Ken. "About the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame." Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. HOF, 2014. Web. 22 Sept. 2014. <http://www.sportsvideo.org/halloffame/about/>. 

       

Prompt Post #3 - Interview

       I was able to interview someone who has worked in the field as a sports reporter.  Taylor Penn from Van Alstyne, TX was kind enough to take time out of his schedule to help me gather information about the job.  Mr. Penn is currently a high school teacher and coach, however, before he went into the field of education he was employed as a sports writer for the Van Alstyne Leader which included the towns of Van Alstyne and Howe in Texas.  Mr. Penn covered high school athletics, such as football, volleyball, baseball, softball, basketball, track and field, golf, and tennis matches.  He also had his own weekly column where he could write about anything he wanted as long as it was related to sports.
       Mr. Penn was able to give me a little insight on what it is like to work for a newspaper and report the sports new.  Mr. Penn told me that "It takes a love for sports and a lot of your time.  You have to be willing to drive all over a specific area, which could be hundreds of miles, depending on where the team is playing."  He told me a common misconception of the job is that sports writers sometimes try to create drama or cause an issue when there really isn't one. Mr. Penn went on to say that another misconception is that sports writers tend to misquote coaches and players.  When asked how he was able to deal with these misconceptions he said "I just tried to report the facts, scores, and statistics as accurately and unbiased as possible so that I could report as objectively as possible. Also, whenever I would get a quote from a coach or player post-game, I would be sure and record it or write it down so that it was as accurate as possible."  I then went on to ask him how big of a role communication is in the field.  He replied, "Communication is critical. Not only accurate communication with the coaches and players that you are covering, but also with your editor and those above you to ensure that everyone is on the same page. I always tried to be as transparent as I could so that no one thought that I had an alternative motive for anything that I did."

      

Open Post #2 - Where It All Began

       While considering what to post next I started thinking about the business as a whole and what made it such a prominent field today.  To know who you are and where you're going, you must first know where you came from.  That made me want to go find out what sparked the fire in sports broadcasting.  I went to the Michigan State University library to do some research on the topic.  It came as no surprise to me that ESPN was the front runner in this.
       Sports reporting was not always the glamorous job it is today.  For a long time the only way to find out if your team won was to watch the news that night and hope they get mentioned.  You could also wait until the next morning and read the sports section of your local newspaper to find out the scores from around the nation.  It goes without saying that the demand for a television station who displayed around the clock news and coverage of sports was at a high.  ESPN first broke out onto the scene in 1979.  "Bill Rasmussen, an unemployed sports announcer, and a group of committed sports junkies in Bristol, Connecticut decided to lease unwanted satellite transponder space to broadcast Connecticut college sports and New England Whaler hockey games...Today, ESPN is the most powerful and prominent name in sports media.  The Bristol Campus...has 27 satellite dishes feeding more than 97 million subscribers as one of cable television's biggest networks" (Smith xiv).  It is humbling to realize that the biggest name in sports entertainment "started out of their garage" if you will.
       As I mentioned in previous blogs, my main goal is to one day be employed by ESPN.  I found it reassuring to find that they still stick to their sports first mentality.  "They want people who love sports first and foremost...The main concerns ESPN have are whether or not you are a sports junkie" (Smith xxii, xxiii).  I believe that ESPN want people like this to work for them so that every show is brought to the fans with the same passion and desire that they have for their beloved sports teams.  This passion and desire resides deep down in my soul and I will consider myself truly humbled and blessed if I can one day help continue to pave the road for a sports outlet such as ESPN.


Smith, Anthony F., and Keith Hollihan. ESPN The Company: The Story and Lessons Behind the Most        Fanatical Brand In Sports. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009. N. pag. Print.

Prompt #2 - Comparing Two Styles

            I wanted to get some different perspectives on the field of Sportscasting so I found a scholarly article by a professional in the field and then just a general overview of the field.  Michael Madden is a professional in Sports Broadcasting and decided to write an article titled "How to Become a Sports Broadcaster."  Madden gives an in depth depiction on what it takes to succeed.  He states "it's not as much what you know, but who you know - and who knows you" (Madden para. 14).  The main idea of the whole article is that networking and the connections you make through internships are what is ultimately going to decide your fate as a sportscaster.  To become successful you're going to have to get out there and make yourself known in the sports world.  Madden then goes on to give the most effective ways, in his opinion, on achieving your goals.  What stood out to me was his number two most effective way of becoming a sportscaster; attending a four year college or university.  Since I am currently attending Michigan State University and majoring in this field, I found it quite reassuring that this was so high on his list.  However, he did go on to say that "many travel the college road into sports broadcasting, but according to government statistics, only 12% reach their destination" (Madden para. 47).  This is a shockingly low number to me, however, this number motivates me even more to make sure I accomplish what I have set out to do.  In his opinion the number one way to become a sportscaster is becoming an apprentice to an already successful sportscaster.  By doing this you will learn hands on what it is like and also establish very intriguing connections to move up.

           I also looked for an explanation on the field from someone who was not a professional to compare the two viewpoints.  For the most part everything I found was vague and did not provide any real insight into the field other than stuff that is common knowledge.  For example "As a sports broadcaster, you'll present live sporting events while also providing commentary and analysis" ("Becoming a Sports Broadcaster" 1).  It was a basic, straight to the point type of article which is helpful for someone who has no idea what the field is, however, for interested students it is not a very helpful source.  For someone like myself, and other future prospects, I would recommend Madden's take on what it takes to become a sports caster.  He gives a clear understanding of everything and since he is successful in the field it gives the article immediate credibility. 

Madden, Michael. "How to Become a Sports Broadcaster." HubPages. HubPages Inc., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2014.

"Becoming a Sports Broadcaster: Job Description & Salary Info." Diploma Guide. Dilplomaguide.com, 2013-2014. Web. 12 Sept. 2014.

Open Post #1

While doing some research on the field of Sports Broadcasting I came across the job requirements.  I learned that there is actually no educational requirements to becoming a sportscaster.  This is something I found quite interesting.  I thought becoming a sportscaster required a Journalism degree and quite possibly a masters in it also.  "A bachelor degree is preferred" and "prospective broadcasters may have to intern and work their way up to an on-air position or begin in a smaller market prior to moving up" (How to Become a Sports Broadcaster).  Even though a degree is not a requirement and only preferred I believe that if you want to have a real chance at getting a good job in the field you need to put in the time and get the degree.   I also knew interning was key in becoming a successful sportscaster so I will begin to look at more ways on becoming a successful intern in future blogs.

How to Become a Sports Broadcaster. Education Portal, n.d. Google. Web. 

           9 Sept. 2014. <education-portal.com/how_to_become_a_sports_broadcaster.html>.

Prompt #1 Sports Broadcasting

Growing up as a child I loved to watch Sports Center on ESPN.  This is what first interested me in the field of Sports Broadcasting so I already have some preconceptions on what to expect pursuing it as a career.  I believe that you have to love sports to do this job or else you will not be successful.  To the untrained eye it might seem like these sports anchors or reporters have it easy getting to talk about sports all day long, however, there is a lot of hard work and dedication that goes in to the job behind the scenes.  After reading some text about my field of interests I am confident that I am willing to dedicate the time and effort to accomplish my goals.  The book Sportscasters/Sportscasting Principles and Practices by Linda K. Fuller backed up my preconceptions on what to expect and I highly recommend reading it if you too are interested in a career in sportscasting.  Fuller states, "Some of the key skills needed for sportscasters include...knowledge about, and enthusiasm for sport(s), a great voice, and even better hair."  I believe that I might have to end up working on my voice since I am told that I have a slight "Texan twang" when I speak, however, other than that I think I fit the bill for becoming the next supreme sportscaster of our generation.


Fuller, Linda K. Sportscasters/Sportscasting Principles and Practices. New York: Routledge, 2008. Print.