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PROVO -- Being the color-commentator for BYU basketball on KSL Radio is a great job. Front row seats for the most part (thanks for nothing Utah) and the chance to interact with BYU's coaches and players are two of the obvious perks. What husband or father hasn't sat in the stands and imparted their vast knowledge of the game to a spouse or child? I think we all have an inner-announcer within us. I'm lucky enough to let mine out from time to time.
So how does one become a color-commentator? Well, first, it helps to have played the game. Most color-commentators are former players. Occasionally you'll get a Blaine Fowler that can cover more than one sport, but he is the exception rather than the rule. Also, they typically had stellar careers and are well known by the fan base of the team they are covering. Occasionally you'll get a mediocre player like me, but again, I am the exception rather than the rule. It also helps to have a pinch of luck and a dash of being in the right place at the right time.
About 15 years ago, the great Paul James decided to hang up his basketball play-by-play shoes. A spunky young upstart by the name of Greg Wrubell was named to replace the legend. Unlike the color-commentator, the play-by- play guy actually must earn his stripes in the sports radio business and come to the table with some real broadcasting skills. I don't think anyone was more prepared for the opportunity than Greg. He is a unique blend of uncanny intellect, obscene preparation, pop culture genius and BYU sports die hard. The time and effort that Greg puts into each broadcast is mind- boggling, but it pays off in a clean, seamless, interesting, and what I hope is an entertaining event for the listeners.
At the same time James retired, Paul Ruffner, James' sidekick for many years, decided to call it quits as well. That meant that Greg would need to select a new color- commentator to work with and he began making inquiries with some former players. As I mentioned above, typically the color-commentator is a player that has reached a certain level of fame, so it is easy to see why I did not make Greg's initial list of potential candidates. However, several of my basketball buddies did make the list, but were unavailable. I always liked being on the radio as a player and felt I was a "good interview." So I told my friends to let Greg know that I was available. I don't know how many players turned him down or how desperate he was getting, but eventually he gave me a call. We met for lunch and the rest is history.
Fifteen years later and we are still together. In many ways we are like an old married couple. I know Greg better than anyone except his wife, and surprisingly, we both continue to stick with him. We have had countless entertaining and interesting experiences along the way and we have seen some amazing basketball. Greg and I are very different people, but I think that is what makes us successful as a broadcast team. He is high energy and intense while I am calm and laid back. I don't let him get too out of control and he doesn't let me be too boring. Together I think we bring a nice balance and a good chemistry.
It hasn't always been easy managing my life as a real estate attorney at Ray Quinney & Nebeker with the demands of covering BYU basketball, but it is worth it. It's also difficult to be away from my family for the games, but we have tried to make the games a family activity when we can and many of our family vacations revolve around BYU basketball road trips. That will be much easier now that BYU is in the WCC. Laramie wasn't at the top of our list of vacation destinations.
I tell people the hardest thing about being a color- commentator is being on the air for four hours straight and not saying something really dumb. You should try it sometime. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don't. It's nice to have someone like Greg with you because he is never at a loss for words. My goal each game is to incorporate things into the broadcast that an average fan might overlook. I like to focus more on how a player got a shot rather than on the shot itself or on what a player did who didn't even touch the ball, but that made the play successful. I wasn't a great player, but I do know the game. Occasionally I also like to bring in some levity. If I'm not having fun, it's likely the listener isn't either.
Well, I think that is enough self-indulgence for this week. Suffice it to say that I love being involved with BYU. Being on the radio makes me feel like I am still a part of the BYU basketball program. One thing I've learned is that no matter what, there are some people that aren't going to like you, but Greg and I do our best to bring the listener an enjoyable experience. We try to be objective, but are not shy in letting you know that our hopes and hearts are squarely behind the Cougars. I don't know how much longer I'll be at the mic, but the past fifteen years have been a blast.
Thanks for listening.
