Ball State Sports Link, continued its annual Summer Workshop Series, now in a virtual setting due to the COVID19 global pandemic, with a Tuesday spotlight on storytelling, interviewing and play by play.
Over 120 participants have registered in advance for the online workshops slated to run nightly June 8-11 at 6:30 p.m. ET, with Sports Link instructors, alumni and industry professionals.
Jack Kizer, the 2019-20 Sports Link Member of the Year and one of the most accomplished announcers in program history, joined fellow Sports Link great and alum, Pat Boylan (Indiana Pacers/Indiana Fever) for a masterclass in all three areas.
“If you have the idea you want to be a play by play broadcaster, but only want to do play by play,” Boylan said. “You will face a harsh reality.
“The ‘it’ factor has to come naturally. It’s not something tangible. It comes with repetition and confidence. It takes time and natural progression.”
Boylan is in his sixth season as the host and sideline reporter for the Pacers radio network, plus serves as a broadcaster for Pacers telecasts on Fox Sports Indiana.
The TV Play-by-Play voice of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, Boylan was named to the Sports Talent Agency of America’s Top 30 Sports Broadcasters Under 30.
“The more games you do, the more confident you will be, and the more confidence you have to recover from mistakes,” Boylan said. “There is going to be a bobble here or there, but you keep going. You’re talking for two and a half hours, it’s going to happen.”
Kizer guided campers through the art of play-by-play specifics for football, basketball and baseball.
“Keep your dream in mind,” Kizer said. “It’s going to be a lot of hard work. Find ways to improve constantly, and it only takes one opportunity to give you a big break. Finding your voice means figuring out what you do well. What are your strengths and how can you improve them?”
The duo shared valuable insight on game preparation, from charts, interviews and the needed research to hone the craft.
“Let the action dictate the information you use,” Kizer said. “A good rate of the information you use in a broadcast is about 10%. When the moment comes along, you want to have the right information in front of you.”
“Know the business of the business you are in,” Boylan added. “You have to know who the players are around the league you play in. Know the storylines of the different teams. Find the most important things, be succinct and be concise. You need to know the team better than anyone.”
Sports Link’s virtual camp turns its attention on the final two nights to creative content production. Wednesday’s theme is “From Concept To Creation: Hype Videos” with Elite Edge Productions producer and editor, Josh Blessing.
While online registration is closed, if you are interested in joining any of the remaining virtual camp sessions, please email ctaylor@bsu.edu.
