You are always on. Act accordingly

Many years ago, we published a story in the STAA website headlines about a sportscaster getting busted for drugs. That afternoon, someone with a Major League Baseball team correctly pointed out that STAA had traditionally celebrated sportscasters’ successes. He thought publication of news about a sportscaster’s hardship was misplaced.

I agreed.

Since then, we’ve avoided dozens of stories, ranging from drug and alcohol abuse, to domestic violence and embezzlement.
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Doing this less will immediately make your broadcasts better

No good. No good. No good.

This is a phrase that many play-by-play broadcasters use repeatedly on a missed shot in basketball. “Over to” is another that you will often hear when the ball is passed between players.

pbp vocab

Varying your PBP vocabulary is important for all broadcasters. It makes for a more entertaining and intelligent broadcast.
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Going backward to move forward

I started my first play-by-play job 25 years ago this week, and it was a move I don’t think many would make.

I started in the broadcasting business at the ripe old age of 19, having been given the “reigns” of producing a five-hour sports talk show at WBNS-AM, in Columbus, Ohio. At that time, the station did not own the broadcast rights to Ohio State football and basketball games, so I was basically flying blind trying to keep the show afloat against our chief rival, which at that time DID own the OSU rights.
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14 tips for maximizing your sportscasting job security

At one point in my broadcasting career, I had a boss who ruled through fear. He created an atmosphere where employees feared they were one mistake away from losing their job. His leadership style was the direct opposite of that advocated by legendary coach John Wooden.

“Great leaders are always out in front with a banner, rather than behind with a whip,” says Wooden.
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This is a good person for you to stay in touch with

A sports talk host I know was laid off from the radio station where he had worked for eight years. Budget crunch. Still, he stayed in touch with the station program director.

Later, when the PD moved to a national network, he hired the host who he’d let go several years earlier.

If you had a good relationship with a former employer, stay in touch. You never know when they might be able to help you in the future.
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Your 6-step plan for hiding your job search from your employer

A guy I know was a sports talk host at his station for many years. When a better time slot opened at a cross-town station, he mentioned to his producer and board op that he had applied. Soon after, his program director heard the news. Within hours, the host was fired.

Looking for your next job while currently employed is not uncommon. The best time to look for a job is when you already have one. However, there are certainly smart ways to do it.
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Use this sweet trick to get in front of employers

A radio station in Charleston, SC had an opening for a producer. An individual who was looking to transition from another career into sports radio thought it would be his perfect entry. He told the employer, “If I can have just five minutes of your time to deliver my resume, I’ll stop by on Thursday.” He did stop by. The employer spent several hours with the candidate. That afternoon, he accepted the job offer before heading back home.

Home was Los Angeles, California.

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Don’t let regret creep into your sportscasting career

I am jealous of Graham Bensinger.

Among journalists today, Bensinger is the king of long-form interviews – up to 30 or 60 minutes with a single guest. His interviews are intelligent, well-researched and well-planned. If you ever heard “Costas Coast to Coast” 30 years ago, Bensinger is that good.

I envy Bensinger because I once wanted to be recognized as the king of interviewing. Read More

2 top tips for starting a new job

When I was hired for my first full-time radio job in McPherson, KS, I felt like I had just been named to the Pro Bowl. I was talented enough to be selected from among the other applicants, my future seemed endlessly bright and I was fired up.

Then came my first morning on the job. Queue the sound of squealing breaks.
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