Going backward to move forward

Jon Chelesnik
April 26, 2023

This is a guest post by STAA member Marty Bannister. He is a Play-By-Play Broadcaster based in Dublin, OH. You can follow him on Twitter here.

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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Posted in: My Career

Type: Guest Post,Marty Bannister

Is national title game broadcast prep different than normal?

Jon Chelesnik
March 29, 2017

This is a guest post by STAA member Marty Bannister. He is a Play-By-Play Broadcaster based in Dublin, OH. You can follow him on Twitter here.

About this time a year ago, I was wondering if I would get the chance to ever to call another game, much less a national title game.

When my situation in Columbus, Ohio, changed, I went searching for work, and was fortunate enough to land a freelance job calling Division II Ashland University men’s and women’s basketball. It was not the “glamour” gig that I had calling Ohio State games, but it was a good way to stay alive and kicking in the business. (Maybe another blog sometime)
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Posted in: Play-by-play

Type: Guest Post,Marty Bannister