From the sidelines
This past week the opportunity was provided to me to co-host the Marion High School boys' basketball game on WTVN, or sometimes known in Marion as Channel 22.
I have a little bit of radio experience and worked at different newspapers for four years now, but never have been on television.
Now, I know Channel 22 might not be the big time, but I heard they needed me because Kevin Hoffer and Jerry Smith were at job interviews for ESPN.
And, waiting for me there was a free bottle of water, the same kind they charge $5 for at hotels.
I already was feeling like a rock star.
Nonetheless, I was a little nervous for the start of the game.
Yes there is editing, but if someone is bad for an entire broadcast, how do you edit that?
I felt a little stiff in the beginning, almost reminding myself of the teacher from "The Wonder Years," and the Clearasil dry eyes commercials.
But play-by-play announcer Kevin Fruechting knew what he was doing, and did his best to try and make it easy for me.
Something else that made it easier for me were the stats provided by Landon Leiker.
The MHS freshman compiles the stats for the game, and they update in real time on a computer screen one foot away from us.
His work made Kevin and I sound a lot smarter than we probably are.
The game was a good one, and ended with Marion defeating Sterling 67-46.
Justin Heidebrecht's 22 points, senior Calvin Jeffrey's no-look passes, and the overall great play of all the Warriors made for a lot to talk about.
There were times however, when it seemed Kevin tried to lead me into a conversation, and I didn't know exactly what to say. Then there would be silence for a second or two before I piped in with a resounding, "Yeah."
I haven't heard a tape of the broadcast yet, and don't know if I really should.
If I sound bad I'll know it, and even if I sound OK, I won't think so.
But I had a great time no matter what, and maybe the crew will ask me back again.
If so, I'm thinking of upgrading from a bottle of water to a Mountain Dew.
