The PXPU Podcast with Tony Castricone: from Play by Play University

Reminder: this month’s Office Hours Zoom call is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23 from 3-4 pm Pacific Time/6-7 pm Eastern. If you’re interested in joining a small group of broadcasters, led by myself, to talk about the broadcasting industry, level up to the Office Hours subscription by clicking the button below.

Today’s podcast guest has had a career that spans more than 15 years, and he’s literally never been turned down for a job. In fact, he’s never even applied for a job. He simply created his own broadcasting network and everything he’s ever done has simply followed from there.

On today’s episode of the PXPU Podcast, Aaron Cassady and I discuss:

* 02:33 - Background: Aaron's early love of local radio in Marietta, Ohio and studying business at University of Akron

* 04:16 - First steps: Starting internet broadcasting in 2009 with Hilliard Davidson games

* 06:09 - Business model: Developing sponsorship packages for New Albany broadcasts in 2010 and finding community support

* 08:37 - Expansion: Growth to five high schools by 2018 and creating a "Game of the Week" on traditional radio

* 11:22 - Hometown connection: Working with Marietta's WMOA station and becoming voice of Marietta High School

* 12:18 - Career balance: Maintaining full-time work in higher education fundraising while growing broadcasting business

* 14:42 - Side career perspective: Creating your own opportunities versus pursuing traditional broadcasting path

* 17:28 - Community impact: Giving back through scholarships and making a difference in local communities

* 21:15 - Finding talent: Working with aspiring broadcasters and creating opportunities for others

* 23:02 - Professional connections: Even established broadcasters like Bob McElligott (Columbus Blue Jackets) calling high school games

* 27:23 - Business background benefits: How Aaron's education helped him build a broadcasting network

* 30:41 - Craft development: Self-improvement techniques including listening to his own broadcasts and continuous learning

* 35:21 - Lessons learned: What Aaron would do differently (not overcomplicating business pitches to schools)

* 39:15 - Key advice: "Don't wait to start" - overcome analysis paralysis and just begin broadcasting

Episode Overview

Tony Castricone speaks with award-winning journalist Christian Caple about the fundamentals of covering a football team. They discuss practical strategies for observing practices effectively, building relationships with sources, and finding meaningful stories, especially when you're new to covering a program.

Key Timestamps

[03:22] Dealing with the overwhelm of first practices and developing an observer's eye

[05:23] What to watch for during practice: Key position battles, QB rotations, and personnel groupings

[10:32] Strategies for tracking player participation and identifying injuries

[17:25] Challenges of identifying depth charts during spring practice

[23:30] Position transitions: How coaches evaluate players differently than in high school

[29:28] Preparing to cover a new team: Studying rosters, returning players, and transfers

[35:55] Navigating relationships with sources: Official channels vs. direct contacts

[42:23] Finding good story ideas and writing for passionate fans

[45:36] Lessons on interviewing: The importance of genuine listening and follow-up questions

About Christian Caple

Christian Caple is an award-winning journalist who previously covered college football for The Athletic before starting his own Substack called "On Montlake" focusing on the Washington Huskies. Follow him on Twitter/X @ChristianCaple and subscribe to his coverage at www.onmontlake.com.

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The PXPU Podcast is part of Play-By-Play University, dedicated to creating the best, most instructive content for aspiring play-by-play announcers, analysts, and sideline reporters.

Today’s guest on the PXPU Podcast is Danny Reed, the voice of the Georgia Southern Eagles who made his Westwood One debut this March. In this conversation, we discuss:

* (01:26) The value of grinding for a decade: Danny's opportunity with Westwood One came after years of doing stats work

* (04:06) Early passion matters: Danny was mimicking broadcasters as a child, showing how early interests can shape careers

* (05:32) Finding mentors: Local radio professionals provided Danny opportunities to learn broadcasting basics

* (06:40) Education pathways: Specialized sports broadcasting education combined with playing experience

* (09:42) Network building: Relationships developed while at The Citadel eventually led to Georgia Southern opportunity

* (16:17) Player perspective: How playing experience helps understand and communicate what athletes experience

* (18:19) Balance fan/professional: How to navigate being passionate about a team while maintaining professionalism

* (22:30) Embrace unexpected roles: Sales experience in minor league baseball built transferable career skills

* (31:25) Sideline value: Using sideline reporting experience to develop play-by-play skills and perspective

* (34:47) Always prepare thoroughly: Even when doing stats or sideline work, prepare as if calling the game

* (37:06) Polite persistence: Maintaining professional contact with industry leaders over 11 years led to opportunity

* (42:35) Take feedback: Being open to critique and making adjustments based on industry feedback

* (44:14) Stay ready: Technical delays and unexpected circumstances will happen; adaptability is crucial

* (48:06) Never peak: Approach each opportunity with the mindset that your best work is still ahead of you

Today’s guest on the PXPU Podcast is Elise Woodward. Elise has experience in all three major broadcasting roles - play-by-play, color analyst, and sideline reporting - across numerous sports. She shares insights on preparing for different sports, the mindset required for each broadcasting role, and how to conduct effective interviews.

Timestamped Show Notes

[02:26] Discussion about broadcasting multiple sports and the challenges of learning new ones.

[04:08] Elise on the importance of getting terminology right for different sports.

[06:15] How to prepare for broadcasting unfamiliar sports:

* Study the rule book

* Consult with sports information directors

* Talk to coaches to understand rosters and priorities

* Watch film on YouTube to recognize players

[09:06] The different preparation needs for play-by-play versus color analysis.

[11:48] Tips for learning sports rules quickly, including using AI and focusing on the most relevant sections.

[15:34] Elise's career progression: starting as a color analyst at age 23, then sideline reporting, and finally play-by-play.

[18:08] The different mindsets required for each broadcasting role:

* Play-by-play: Setting the tone and context

* Analyst: Explaining the "why" behind what happens

* Sideline reporter: Sharing what viewers can't see

[21:25] Differences between TV and radio sideline reporting.

[23:16] How to approach post-game interviews and meet interviewees at their emotional level.

[24:43] Building relationships with players and coaches before interviews.

[26:41] The challenge of interviewing frustrated coaches and not taking their emotions personally.

[29:45] The importance of respectful questioning rather than trying to create viral moments.

[31:09] How question phrasing can dramatically change an interview's tone.

[34:25] Tony shares a positive feedback from Coach DeBoer about interviewing approach.

[36:15] What to do as an analyst when you don't know "why" something happened.

[37:46] The value of silence in broadcasting, especially on TV.

[40:05] Handling unexpected broadcasting situations and last-minute role changes.

[41:24] Tips for not stepping on broadcasting partners' lines and managing timing:

* Communication before the game

* Timing guidelines for when to speak

* Keeping points succinct (10-second chunks)

[45:14] Broadcasters Elise admires, including Doris Burke and Rebecca Lobo.

[47:28] How working in all three broadcasting roles has improved her skills in each position.

Key Takeaways

* Versatility is valuable in sports broadcasting - being able to work across different roles and sports expands career opportunities.

* Preparation is critical, especially for unfamiliar sports:

* Study rule books and terminology

* Watch film to recognize players

* Talk to coaches and SIDs

* Each broadcasting role requires a different mindset:

* Play-by-play: Setting context and game flow

* Analyst: Explaining why things happen

* Sideline: Sharing what viewers can't see

* Effective interviewing comes from relationship building, respectful questioning, and meeting people at their emotional level.

* Working as a team with your broadcasting partners requires understanding timing, knowing when to speak, and setting each other up for success.

This week’s episode of the PXPU Podcast is a little bit different. Today, we’ll take you inside the head of a radio broadcaster who nailed a big moment in a big game.

Michigan men’s basketball voice Brian Boesch delivered a memorable call of the Wolverines’ last second win against Rutgers. You can listen to the final call here, where Brian hit pause and delivered a masterful final call, similar to the way he did when the Wolverines made a miraculous shot against Wisconsin to keep their tournament hopes alive a couple years ago.

Thanks to Brian for taking the time to send his thoughts and insight on a truly special moment!

We’ve talked extensively at Play By Play U about the importance of the mental side of performance and how underdiscussed it is when it comes to learning how to grow in your broadcasting career. Today, we interview Gibson Arnold, who serves as both Director of Mental Performance and General Manager for the Washington Huskies basketball team. Gibson shares his fascinating journey from college basketball player to coach, NBA scout, Harvard-educated psychologist, and now mental performance specialist.

Show Notes

00:00 - Tony introduces Gibson Arnold, former head coach at Hawaii now working with Washington Huskies

00:13 - Gibson explains his dual roles as Director of Mental Performance and General Manager

00:45 - Gibson's background growing up in a basketball family:

* Grew up with a father who was a basketball coach

* Played college ball at Arizona State and UC San Diego

* Started coaching at high school and junior college levels

* Coached Division I at Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine, USC

* Became head coach at University of Hawaii for five years

02:13 - Transition to NBA and education:

* Joined Boston Celtics as Director of West Coast Scouting

* While at Celtics, enrolled at Harvard for Masters in Psychology

* Completed thesis on "Mental and Emotional Strength Training to Enhance Athletic Performance in the Modern Day Athlete"

03:00 - Starting his own practice:

* Founded MindBodySoul Sports Psychology and Performance in 2020

* Worked with NBA players, professional golfers, Olympians, and college athletes

* Built his client base entirely through word of mouth

03:58 - Connection to current position:

* Started helping players at Utah State as a favor to friend Danny (Sprinkle, head coach at Washington)

* When Danny got the Washington job, he asked Gibson to join full-time

04:51 - Discussion about Harvard program and studying while working for Celtics:

* Did most coursework during summers

* Found a new love for learning at age 50

* Benefited from pandemic-era online classes to complete education

06:48 - The challenge of starting his own business:

* Left stable job with Celtics to pursue his passion

* Faced initial uncertainty and "lean months" with clients

* Developed sustainable business through good results and referrals

09:05 - What drew Gibson into sport psychology:

* Working with Celtics, wanted to understand what made players great beyond physical talent

* Influenced by seeing NBA players like DeMar DeRozan and Kyrie Irving struggle with mental health

* Realized his upbringing (father a coach, mother a child psychologist) prepared him for this field

12:03 - Discussion about continuous growth and progress:

* Not just about immediate results but the journey of improvement

* Importance of doing more than the average competitor

* Creating advantages through individual discipline

14:36 - The MindBody Soul approach:

* Theory that we need to equally train mind, body, and soul

* Mind: confidence, mindset, decision-making

* Body: physical training, skills development

* Soul: emotions, relationships with self and others

* Most athletic training focuses heavily on body but neglects mind and soul

17:52 - The success cycle:

* Confidence breeds improved performance

* Improved performance breeds success

* Success breeds confidence

* Redefining success beyond just making shots or winning

20:24 - Handling performance anxiety:

* Stress and nervousness are normal and show you care

* Understanding the fight/flight/freeze response

* Importance of tapping into the "fighter" mentality

22:43 - Visualization techniques:

* Example of Michael Phelps visualizing races and medal ceremonies

* Scientific evidence that the brain doesn't distinguish between visualization and reality

* How visualization helps manage nerves by creating familiarity

25:29 - Dealing with negative thoughts:

* We have 50,000-70,000 thoughts daily, 80% are negative

* Our inner critic evolved as a survival mechanism

* Developing the "inner advocate" to counter negative thoughts

* The AAAA approach: Awareness, Acknowledging, Adjusting, Acting

29:09 - Power of "I am" statements:

* Believing in your potential self before it becomes reality

* Gibson's example: "I am a New York Times bestselling author"

* Reference to Gandhi's quote about beliefs becoming destiny

* Adding "but" statements to negative thoughts ("I missed that shot, but I am a great shooter")

32:10 - Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation:

* Proving others wrong is temporary motivation

* Proving yourself right is intrinsic and more sustainable

34:32 - Managing mistakes and staying present:

* Concept of "relevant cues" (things you can control) vs. "irrelevant cues" (things you can't control)

* Past mistakes become irrelevant cues once they've happened

* Focusing energy only on what you can control in the present moment

* Roger Federer's approach to tennis points

Today’s PXPU Podcast guest is Cory Provus of the Minnesota Twins, who started as the TV voice of the team, but has transitioned into the full-time TV call.

Today’s show notes:

01:41-03:10 - Cory shares his background growing up in Highland Park, Illinois (Chicago area) and attending Syracuse University, plus a recent vacation to Banff

03:10-04:06 - Tony asks about Cory's early career at ISP Sports/IMG College/Learfield and his connection to Chris Ferris

04:06-06:10 - Cory discusses how meeting Dave Pasch at Syracuse led to his first job opportunity calling Virginia Tech women's basketball, and his decision to take this play-by-play job over a Chicago radio update position

06:10-10:46 - Detailed story about ISP Sports' early days in Winston-Salem, NC, including working out of a small ranch house with other now-prominent broadcasters like Tom Hart and Carter Blackburn

10:46-13:37 - Discussion about the business side of sports broadcasting and how Cory gained experience in production while working Monday-Friday as Radio Production Manager

13:37-16:07 - Cory explains how he helped create demo CDs for ISP's pitches to new schools, and what he learned about the production side of broadcasting

16:07-19:32 - Career progression from ISP to UAB play-by-play, including not getting the Houston Cougars job, and the encouragement that "before you can be number one, you have to be number two"

19:32-21:37 - Tony shares his similar early career choices between minor league baseball and sports updates at a radio station

21:37-24:58 - Discussion about interviewing skills and standing out in job applications, including Cory's strategy of creating custom spotting boards for team interviews

24:58-27:23 - Cory explains his interview philosophy of listening more than talking, and how he incorporated elements from different broadcasters he admired into his own style

27:23-30:54 - The importance of making connections with ADs and coaches, including Cory's story about connecting with Chan Gailey through his cousin Brad Sham (Cowboys broadcaster)

30:54-35:18 - Discussion about Cory's cousin Brad Sham (longtime Dallas Cowboys broadcaster) and how this family connection influenced Cory's early interest in broadcasting

35:18-37:47 - Profound story about Bill Roth sharing a letter from a widow whose husband was buried with a Walkman tuned to Virginia Tech broadcasts, illustrating the impact broadcasters have on people's lives

37:47-40:44 - How Cory used to hear his cousin Brad Sham's Cowboys broadcasts on HBO's "Inside the NFL" highlight packages

40:44-42:23 - Story about Brad Sham and AT&T Stadium, including Jerry Jones putting the radio booth in the corner and Brad's one-day complaint policy

42:23-46:45 - Transition to discussing Cory's move from Twins radio to TV broadcasting, comparing it to Denzel Washington's perspective on the difference between film and theater

46:45-49:02 - The collaborative nature of TV broadcasting versus the independence of radio

49:02-52:48 - Cory's process of self-evaluation and adjusting to TV, including learning to use hand gestures and managing pauses

52:48-54:31 - Handling producer communication in your earpiece while broadcasting

54:31-56:53 - Discussion about camera standups and whether to look at the camera or analyst during segments

This week’s guest on the PXPU Podcast is Gary Hill, who was just awarded a promotion as the new, full-time No. 2 radio broadcaster for the Seattle Mariners.

Gary has been with the Mariners for a while in a number of different capacities, and has worked in broadcasting in Seattle for basically his whole career. In this week’s episode, we discuss his journey, the versatility that led to his rise, the fundamentals he utilizes during his calls and more.

Play-by-Play U is entirely reader-supported. To support this work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show notes:

[03:36] Gary's early broadcasting origins:

* Childhood dream of broadcasting for the Mariners

* Created dice games to simulate baseball games in his room

* Influenced by Dave Niehaus and fell asleep listening to games on clock radio

* Grew up during golden age of Pacific Northwest broadcasters (Dave Niehaus, Rick Rizzs, Kevin Calabro, Pete Gross, Bob Robertson, Bob Rondeau)

[05:54] Educational journey:

* Initially went to Wheaton College in Boston studying psychology

* Had epiphany during snowy night in library that not chasing dreams was "stupid"

* Transferred to Washington State's broadcast school

* First paying gig: Pullman High School games

[11:20] Early career moves:

* Applied to every minor league team

* Turned down first job offer to finish degree

* Worked for company selling advertising for small colleges and minor league teams

* First Seattle broadcasting: University of Washington baseball

[17:10] Career progression with Sonics and Mariners:

* Got opportunity with Seattle Sonics through David Locke

* Started as unpaid intern while taking online web design course

* Promoted to pre/post-game host before Sonics moved to Oklahoma City

* First Mariners opportunity came through filling in on pre/post-game shows

[22:45] Evolution with Mariners:

* Started with weekend fill-in work

* Gradually increased responsibilities

* Replaced Kevin Cremin as producer/engineer

* Expanded role to include podcasts, fill-in play-by-play, and pre/post-game

[33:53] Broadcasting philosophy:

* Focuses on fundamentals: time and score

* Emphasizes importance of not missing pitches

* Discusses balance between storytelling and game action

* Adapts approach based on game situation (close game vs. blowout)

[41:34] Interview technique:

* Changed approach to longer-form recorded conversations

* Values authentic conversations over quick hits

* Emphasizes importance of active listening

* Uses video calls to build rapport

[59:34] The infamous Mariners basketball game story:

* Off-day pickup game in Minnesota

* Multiple injuries: Dave Sims (torn Achilles), Rick Rizzs (torn bicep)

* Led to Gary getting significant play-by-play opportunities

* Memorable moment playing against Edgar Martinez

[1:06:11] Career advice:

* Practice calling games even without audience

* Make the most of limited opportunities

* No single blueprint for success

* Importance of staying connected to the industry

This week’s podcast guest is Tim Bickford. He’s a senior network manager at Learfield, and has called games on several Power 4 networks, including Michigan, Virginia Tech, the ACC and the SEC just to name a few.

Tim, who has called the ACC men’s basketball championship game among other big time events, talks to us about his expectations about the play-by-play industry coming out of college versus the reality, and how he’s carved out a radio play-by-play role at one of college sports largest rightsholders without being the voice of a team.

Today’s Tell the Truth Tuesday is presented by Stand By Media, owned and operated by Howard Deneroff, the former executive vice president of Westwood One. If you’re looking for feedback or guidance on your play-by-play career, Deneroff’s experience serving as the executive producer of major worldwide broadcasts like the Super Bowl, the Final Four, the Olympics and more will provide valuable insight, coaching, connections and more. Find out more at https://www.standbymedia.net/, and let him know you heard about him through Tell the Truth Tuesday at Play By Play University.

Today, Deneroff provides his valuable insight as he coaches an radio call of a Pac-12 Tournament game broadcast on student radio at ASU, submitted by Jonah Krell, who is a subscriber to PXPU. You can check out his website here.

Please leave a comment with your thoughts, as well! Some basic critique etiquette:

* No fluffy false positives. When you say something positive, it must be sincere. Positive feedback implies that the announcer would be well served to replicate that performance as consistently as possible in the future.

* All criticism should be constructive. When something sounds like it misses the mark, the point is not to demean, but to identify areas for improvement and demonstrate ways to implement positive change.

* Critiques should aim at helping people identify ways to take the next step in their development. It makes no sense to compare a novice to national network announcers who are decades further along in their career.

* Be respectful. Make sure the statements you offer check all three boxes: is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?