ESPN personality Dave Ryan and director Len Mead '94, aided by Rick Adams, "the voice of Dartmouth football," lectured students on the basics of sports broadcasting on Monday night in the Collis Center.
Ryan, the more experienced of the ESPN duo, graduated from Syracuse University in New York in 1989. After a short stay at West Virginia University, he returned to Syracuse to work as a sports anchor and teach beginner broadcasters.
Of what it takes to make it as a successful broadcaster, Ryan said, "having knowledge of a lot of sports is pretty crucial."
"I started with tennis at ESPN. Now I do primarily hockey -- about 30 games per year. Yearly, I do roughly 110 shows," he added.
Ryan found his way into broadcasting after realizing that his height -- between 5'8" and 5'9" -- might present challenges for his original dream of becoming a basketball player.
Mead also offered some advice for beginners.
"First, you have to be a professional at all times, doing all the little things that at first seem negligible. Second, you have to know that you are not one of the fans and should not become one. And most importantly, take advantage of the access to players and coaches that you have. When you meet them at the cafeteria, stop them and talk to them. If you don't know them, get to know them," he said.
"Be prepared and go to the games early," advised Rick Adams. "Know the players and the rules of the games," added Ryan.
About 25 enthusiasts had gathered in Collis to listen to the advice of Ryan, Mead and Adams on broadcasting.
At the end of the workshop, a few of the students mustered the courage to try their skills in front of the microphone, improvising commentary on a Dartmouth men's hockey game. Ryan and Mead stayed long after the meeting ended to talk personally to each student who expressed an interest in broadcasting.
