The Lion’s Roar: What do you do to prepare for games?
Austin Pollack: For the other team [besides South], I usually start off by searching for the school football team in order to try to use their records, rosters and notes [for my commentary]. I also try to find an article from their last game, their captains, coaches and any other interesting statistics.
LR: How did you get involved with this?
AP: I have a friend whose father knows I am interested in sports journalism, so he called Macey Russell then he asked me if I wanted to do play-by-play for the football team.
LR: Is anybody working with you?
AP: The first game I didn’t work with anyone, but the second game I worked with a former South football player, Stephen Wu. Working with somebody will be a game-by-game situation. Sometimes, I’ll have somebody with me and sometimes I won’t. However, it is much easier to be working with somebody. That way, I can share the talking and I can focus on the play-by-play.
LR: How is this coordinated with NewTV?
AP: Macy Russell films the game, puts in on a tape, and my play-by-play transfers straight to the DVD and then NewTV plays the recording whenever they want to.
LR: Why are you doing this?
AP: I want to pursue a career in sports journalism or sports broadcast so I figured that two years before I go to college this would be a good way to start. It’s a great resource to send to colleges and this is a good way to show them that I really care about what I’m doing.
LR: Are you enjoying it so far?
AP: I am. It’s much harder doing it alone. I will most likely have someone doing it with me. What I’m doing right now is excellent practice for me.
LR: Do you feel any pressure on the air?
AP: My confidence is really boosted when a big play happens and I know exactly what to say. But when I’m not exactly sure what’s happening, then it can be difficult. There’s pressure to explain what’s going on, but the problem is I’m not always sure what’s going on because sometimes it can be hard to see [the field].
LR: Would you like to see a program for broadcast journalism at South?
AP: It should definitely be an elective for students. I think it would be a good class for people who are really interested in pursuing a career in sports journalism so that they can learn how to be more confident [while on the air].
LR: Do you plan on doing this for the basketball season? For the football season next year?
AP: Even if I’m given the opportunity, I don’t think that I would want to do it. I don’t think that there is enough of a variety of things to say [in basketball]. However, I’d definitely do this for the football season next year if I’m given the opportunity again.
LR: Do you see yourself improving as the games go along?
AP: I do see myself progressing with what I am saying. I am definitely becoming more entertaining as the games go along. I’m starting to be more descriptive instead of plain and boring.
LR: Is there anything you don’t like about broadcasting the games?
AP: I don’t like the fact that it is on Friday nights. It is only for the fall so it’s not a big deal I guess. I also don’t like some of the press boxes that I sit in to call the play-by-play. I like the experience of the whole thing, but for my second game against Weston, I had to stand on top of the press box and it was rainy, cold and simply unpleasant.
