Students gain professional broadcasting experience
November 14, 2015
Students have the opportunity to develop skills and gain practical experience through Linfield sports broadcasting.
Senior Kevin Nelson has developed a passion for broadcasting in his time at Linfield.
Nelson began broadcasting his sophomore year after deciding to act on something he had always found interesting but did not know what opportunities there were for him.
He was taking Broadcast Practices with Professor Michael Huntsberger when his interest in broadcasting grew.
After hosting his own radio show throughout the semester, Professor Huntsberger told him about doing sports broadcasting in the spring for baseball.
in his broadcast at a Linfield basketball game.
“I hopped in the booth, and right then I knew this is what I want to do,” Nelson said.
He started with observing, which turned into calling a few inning, which then turned into a whole game.
His sophomore year was also the year the Wildcats won the regional championship at home, a game that Nelson looks back on as one of his favorites to broadcast.
Linfield was hosting the regional playoffs, and Nelson covered four games in 12 hours.
“That’s where it all took off,” he said.
This game solidified his love for sports broadcasting. He has always had a passion for sports and had originally come to Linfield for baseball.
Nelson ended up not playing baseball but still loves the sport.
“I’m not the best writer and I’m not the best athlete, but I thought if I can communicate the passion I have for sports that would be really cool, “ Nelson said.
Nelson says that his goal is to paint a picture for his listeners.
His work with baseball expanded to volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball and softball. He travels with the team, which allows him to experience broadcasting in a variety of locations.
Nelson says one of his favorite places to broadcast from is Whitworth for basketball because the fans are so passionate that the stands shake, and he can feed off their energy during his broadcast.
Nelson says that the best part of this job is knowing that parents who are in Hawaii or Colorado that cannot come see their athlete play are able to feel like they are at the game through Nelson’s play-by- plays commentary.
He also says that one of his favorite parts is when parents come up to him and say how much they appreciate the hard work he puts into his broadcast.
Nelson’s partner for volleyball, junior April Meads, agrees. She recalls a time when a parent said how much they love to listen.
“One mom and dad even baked us these amazing brownies just to say good job,” Meads said, “That was one of the best compliments you can get.”
Both Meads and Nelson see a future for themselves in broadcasting.
Nelson would like to do similar work he does at Linfield for larger schools.
He says that he is willing to take a job related to what he wants to do such as social media to get his foot in the door.
Meads plans to continue broadcasting at Linfield until she graduates and then would eventually like to go into basketball broadcasting.
“Broadcasting has been a dream of mine for a very long time,” Meads said.
Linfield has provided both Nelson and Meads with the necessary experience to help them reach their goals.
“We make it as professional as possible,” Nelson said about Linfield sports broadcasting.
Nelson urges students who are interested in broadcasting to give it a try because you never know if you will love it.
He says that there are still things he can work on, but he does his best to make every game better than the last.
“You’re never going to be perfect, but if you can eliminate your errors as much as possible than that is where you feel really good about yourself and that makes it all worth it,” Nelson said.
