Entering the world of sportscasting can be a very exciting time. You’ve put in countless hours of volunteer and contract work and you’re on the verge of starting your brand new sportscasting job. Like parenting, it’s the dawn of a new era. One of a lot of long hours and very little sleep. So today we’re looking at what you can expect when you’re expecting a new sportscasting job…and how to get you and your home ready for a new arrival.
1. Stock the pantry
With sportscasting comes late nights, early mornings and odd hours. Whether home or on the road, I’d often find myself either up at the crack of dawn or burning the midnight oil to get prep done, or to edit video from a recent game. So primo-snacks are essential. Before you bring a new sportscasting job into your life, make sure the pantry is well stocks with lots of crackers, granola bars and nuts. Keep a good stock of fresh produce available for those late night (or early morning munchies). There’s nothing worse than getting up before the sun for that 3am radio interview (thank you West Coast time), and not having a 3am feeding.
2. Sportscast-Proof Your Home
Having a dedicated workspace in your home can be a huge asset for your new sportscasting job. Setting up a home office, or recording studio can save you un-necessary trips to the station or to the team office to do things that you could do at home. Is there a spare bedroom that’s only used for guests? Does your apartment building have an empty room you can use? Setting up a home-studio is one of the best things you can do for your new sportscasting job. It’s an environment you can be comfortable in and grow your career with.
3. Get lots of sleep
When you introduce your new sportscasting job into your life, there are going to be changes. We’ve already talked about the late nights, the early mornings…so the key is to try and get lots of rest when you get the opportunity. Many veteran sportscasters preach that you should sleep when the players sleep. Naps throughout the day can help offset the sleep you’re missing at night and help you be an alert and attentive sportscaster.
4. You’re not a bad sportscaster if you don’t love EVERY aspect of your new sportscasting job
It doesn’t matter how much you love your new sportscasting job, there will be aspects of it that drive you nuts…and that’s ok! Despite what other sportscasters say around the water cooler (or lined up at the media room free snack table), getting up at 3am to hit the road for a game that afternoon is NOT FUN. You don’t have to love every aspect of your new sportscasting job to love sportscasting.
5. The days are long but the years are short
This one comes from veterans who have had more than a couple of sportscasting jobs. They all say the same thing…that careers go in the blink of an eye. While the days might stretch into 18-20 hours, the seasons are short. One moment it’s opening day in spring and the next you’re buying Halloween candy for trick or treaters that night. Cherish every moment, the good and the bad, because it’ll be over before you know it.
What were your expectations for your first sportscasting job? Did the experience meet them? Or were you shocked to find all those pictures of fully rested, smiling sportscasters didn’t measure up to reality. Let us know on Facebook, Twitter or in the comments below.
