(March 4, 2016) Veteran play-by-play broadcaster Ian Eagle told a 2014 gathering of sportscasters at the Salisbury (NC) Country Club that being able to do many things helped him to build his career. In the audience was Burch Antley, who took the advice to heart. Now, Antley has been hired to broadcast at least nine University of South Carolina softball games and one baseball game on SEC+ Network / ESPN3.
“For the past seven years I’ve called play-by-play for high school state championships in 10 different sports in South Carolina for the NFHS Network,” says Antley. “At ODT ’14 [STAA’s annual One Day Ticket to Sportscasting Success seminar), Ian Eagle said being versatile and showing employers that he was willing to do something new was helpful in his career path. For me, being able to call a variety of sports during the year increases my exposure to potential employers and shows that I’m a hard worker with a passion for the industry.”
Antley adds that doing a variety of sports keeps him from getting rusty and keeps his fundamentals sharp. “Everyone wants to work a football, baseball or basketball broadcast, but showing employers you’ve got experience in lacrosse or track and field makes you more marketable,” he says.
Working on a major college broadcast has long been a goal of Antley’s. “This gives me the college play-by-play experience for my resume and demo reel that can help lead to some other opportunities down the road.”
Antley has been with STAA since 2014.
“I had a lot of experience before I became a member of STAA but I needed some guidance, and more importantly, a mentor. Jon [STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik] has always been available for me and I know that he’s going to tell me what I need to hear and not what I want to hear.”
Antley adds that he has benefitted from the community aspect of STAA. “It’s been extremely helpful to be a part of a community of sportscasters who all want to grow professionally and get better at their craft. I’m always learning from other sportscasters, whether it’s a group critique session, Member Makeover or from Jon’s career blog. Attending ODT ’14 was like seeing the Seven Wonders of the World in one day.
“STAA has been the best investment I’ve made in my career.”
(Visit Burch’s STAA Talent Page).