Adam Halick
Staff Writer
Preparation is a key component in sports for every aspect involved in the game to do their job successfully. The players spend all week practicing, coaches in the film room; athletic trainers assisting to player needs, but a position often forgotten are the broadcasters on the call for the game.
Not only does North Central’s radio station, WONC, focus on playing the best music they can, but also reaching their sports audience with well-trained and prepared student broadcasters focused on sports coverage.
“During the week, I look up team history, matchup history, player information and anything out of the ordinary that would be fun to share during the broadcast,” says senior Josh Barlog. “I also prefer to watch highlights of each team’s precious games, just to see how they look performance wise.”
“It’s a full weeks’ worth of work,” says junior Eric Gruber. After looking up stats and information for both teams, I identify who the key players are and figure out what type of player they are and what their style is.”
WONC broadcasts games for football, both men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball, yet the time commitment extends further than to just the start and end of the game.
“I like to arrive an hour and a half before the game begins,” says Gruber. “I usually have the numbers and names of both teams memorized so I can focus on going over what my partner and I will be discussing in the pregame and make sure there are no changes to either teams lineup.”
Arriving early is nothing rare to the broadcasters at WONC, as it allows them a vital opportunity to fully ready themselves for the big game.
“Arriving early really helps me get mentally focused and gives me time to make adjustments of any kind,” says Barlog.
With a commitment level like a team, broadcasters cover the road games as well, traveling to Wisconsin for numerous conference matchups and also to games that have required them to fly out to California. Wherever the broadcast may be Barlog’s goals always remain consistent.
“When broadcasting I always like to think, if I said this, would a listener know exactly what I’m talking about and I never want to force the listener to tune out so I try to keep it upbeat and fun, yet professional.”
Sports, though, like most things can spark various opinions that some hold stronger than others. One of the most important things about broadcasting is being able to prepare with your broadcast partner so you’re on the same page and the call will flow much better.
“Chemistry is key during a broadcast,” says Barlog. “Getting to know your color or play-by-play partner outside of the broadcasting environment helps, so I like to associate with whomever it may be well prior to the game.”
Well-admired professional broadcasters are exposed to broadcasters are seen everyday whether it be watching television or radio but avoiding their particular style is the secret for Barlog. “I’ve learned that people try to emulate popular broadcasters, and that’s where they go wrong,” says Barlog. “Being yourself makes you more comfortable and really makes you sound better.”
