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

Nate Gatter seems to do a good job at staying ahead of the curve. As a junior in college, Gatter won the 2017 Jim Nantz Award, given annually to the top college sportscaster in the country.

Now, at just 28 years old, Gatter takes over the play-by-play role on Westwood One’s A-crew for college football this fall with college basketball work, including March Madness games, included in his package.

He made his debut this past weekend in Gainesville calling the Miami Hurricanes win at the Swamp over the Florida Gators, and has many big games ahead this season, including Georgia-Texas, Missouri-Alabama, Michigan-Ohio State and the SEC Championship Game.

He talked to the PXPU Podcast last month shortly after landing the gig of a lifetime, and I hope you get a lot out of our conversation!

I have to say, after 14 years of working in the college sports play-by-play production landscape, Tom Boman is one of the most sought after professionals with whom young broadcasters want to network.

The vast majority of Division I college athletic programs have a multimedia relationship with Learfield, and when it’s time for those schools to hire a play-by-play announcer, they turn to Tom.

In this episode, Tom and I discuss what you need to know and how you need to think about these searches to give yourself the best chance possible at landing one of these jobs. I hope you enjoy our conversation!

Here are some highlights from our conversation with Geoff:

* (01:22) Geoff reflects on his early days at IMG College, emphasizing the value of learning from talented colleagues and the importance of perseverance in the face of initial challenges.

* (03:49) The importance of humility in broadcasting: Geoff shares a recent on-air mistake, highlighting that even experienced professionals make errors and the key is to learn from them.

* (05:40) Geoff discusses how his background as an umpire has helped him in broadcasting, particularly in understanding and explaining rules and handling non-routine situations.

* (07:15) Strategies for handling non-routine situations in broadcasts: Geoff emphasizes that finding away through the awkward lulls in a broadcast makes the whole show so much better.

* (08:54) The importance of mental cataloging and continuous learning: Geoff explains how he remembers and applies insights from conversations with experienced analysts and former players.

* (10:55) Geoff describes the grind of major league broadcasting, highlighting the need for consistency and bringing your best regardless of challenging schedules or personal fatigue.

* (14:22) The value of versatility in sports broadcasting: Geoff shares how his experience across multiple sports opened up more opportunities in his career.

* (16:30) Geoff discusses the importance of relationship building and persistence in pursuing career goals, emphasizing the need to focus on personal growth and improvement.

* (22:30) Insights on improving TV standups: Geoff shares his techniques, including working with a broadcast coach, doing rehearsals, and focusing on body language and engagement with co-hosts.

* (26:28) Geoff provides tips on effective storytelling in baseball broadcasts, emphasizing the importance of conciseness, timing, and involving broadcast partners in the narrative.

* (29:05) Geoff reflects on one of his favorite calls (Adam Frazier's game-tying double), discussing the challenge and excitement of capturing unexpected, high-stakes moments.

* (35:01) The importance of staying in the moment during big calls: Geoff emphasizes that the effectiveness of a call often lies more in the delivery and emotion than in the specific words used.

I hope you get a lot out of our conversation!

Coming soon:

* J.B. Long, Los Angeles Rams

* Guy Haberman, Big Ten Network

* Marc Kestecher, ESPN Radio

* Nate Gatter, Westwood One

* Tom Boman, Learfield

* Vocal techniques from a professionally trained opera singer

* A Power 4 associate AD who has made two hires in the last decade

* Much more!

Each Thursday, we’ll drop a new episode of the PXPU Podcast from Play By Play University. Our pilot episode is with Brian Boesch, an excellent broadcaster whose pace, poise, precise vocabulary and fun-loving personality laced with self-depricating humor makes for a fantastic listen along side analyst Terry Mills.

Here are some highlights from our conversation:

* (05:29) Brian emphasizes that you don't need to have dreamed of being a broadcaster since childhood. He didn't consider it until college, highlighting that it's never too late to start.

* (06:28) The importance of mentors: Brian credits one of our mutual professors, Tom Hodson, for encouraging him to try broadcasting, showing the value of seeking guidance and support.

* (15:29) Brian discusses the similarity between calling high-stakes games (like the NCAA tournament) and regular season games, emphasizing the importance of consistent preparation and delivery regardless of the event's prominence.

* (22:20) The significance of maintaining enthusiasm and quality even during challenging seasons, as exemplified by Brian's experience during a difficult Michigan basketball season last year.

* (26:50) Brian shares a pivotal moment in his career when he bounced back from rejection, highlighting the importance of resilience and resourcefulness in pursuing opportunities.

* (29:49) The value of strategic career moves: Brian explains his decision to transition from minor league baseball to college sports, showcasing the importance of aligning oneself with decision-makers or markets with more opportunities.

* (36:19) Insights on effective networking: Brian emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships rather than just collecting contacts.

* (42:40) Advice on reaching out to established broadcasters: Brian suggests finding common ground or connections before making contact and focusing on building a relationship before asking for favors.

* (48:21) Discussion on the value of college education in broadcasting: Both Brian and Tony suggest that while formal education can be beneficial, practical experience and relationships built during college years are often more crucial for career development.

* (54:27) Brian reflects on the importance of personal growth during college years, emphasizing that the experiences outside the classroom can be more valuable than academic achievements alone.

I hope you enjoy our discussion. Please make sure you like, subscribe and leave a comment or a review on the podcast to help spread the word. We’ve got a lot more from where that came from, including conversations in the coming weeks with…

* J.B. Long, voice of the Los Angeles Rams

* Guy Haberman, Big Ten Network

* Nate Gatter, Westwood One

* Geoff Arnold, Baltimore Orioles

* Joey McMurry, Oregon Ducks