Whether it is ESPN, FOX Sports or even the Olympics, a Syracuse University
alumnus is probably behind the microphone, doing play-by-play. Throughout the
years, SU has built a reputation for graduating high-quality sportscasters.
The common thread of experience for these individuals, however, is that they began
their careers on the radio circuit. Whether it be Mike Tirico '88, Bob Costas '74 or
Marv Albert '63, SU's accomplished alumni sportscasters all worked at a radio station
during or right after college and then transitioned to the small screen. But this
tradition is undergoing a change in which today's students have the ability to cover
more games on television.
Tirico, for example, started out by covering basketball and football games on WAER
while an undergraduate. Now with the new TV show "SUper Sports," future
sportscasters are able to get first-hand experience on the small screen, without
starting on radio.
"SUper Sports" is a live-to-tape show for which student announcers comment on SU
sports events, with replays and graphics during the broadcast. The show airs on the
Orange Television Network (OTN), accessible on campus on cable channel 2. Even
though the show isn't aired live, no editing occurs between the taping and broadcast
so the candid moments of live TV are still present.
"'SUper Sports' creates a whole new production experience for the students. There is
nothing more exciting or frightening than live television," says OTN General
Manager Andy Robinson. "And the pressure of covering a live sporting event, with
no ability to go back and fix a mistake, is a real tough challenge."
Now in its first season, "SUper Sports" is produced on a small scale, with four shows
planned for the current semester. Episodes so far this season have included SU
women's volleyball matches against Connecticut and Cincinnati, with the next show
to cover the University of Pittsburgh match on Nov. 14.
"I knew this was a program I wanted to start. It has taken me awhile, but we're
getting there. We have the essential tools to do the production and do it well."
Robinson says.
Though "SUper Sports" is a new venture, it is an opportunity to further develop the
tradition of great sportscasters from SU. Marty Glickman '39 was the first to start the
tradition; he was the voice of New York City athletics for more than 60 years. Among
the long list of prominent sportscasters with SU ties are Dick Stockton '64, who has
covered all four professional sports on network television, and Marv Albert '63, who
sat in on a New York Knicks game when Glickman couldn't make it due to a
snowstorm and proceeded to a successful career as the voice of the Knicks and the
New York Rangers, as well as TV and radio play-by-play announcer for NFL
broadcasts.
With this evolution from radio to TV, SU's reputation for producing renowned
sportscasters is not only being strengthened but is also entering a new chapter that
enables fans to watch sports history in the making.
"This is an exciting time for students interested in sportscasting," says Robinson. "I
think we are doing a great job, and it is only going to get better."
