Because I have to do it justice, I have a few more things to say about my Sports Radio experience from a week ago. I wouldn’t be telling the whole truth if I didn’t air (get it?) some of my secrets. So we’ll start with this…
Steve “Sparky” Fifer is a broadcasting crush of mine. Now, I say this is a “secret,” but in reality he already knows. You see, I told Zak Grim this in a (off-the-record) postgame conversation that may or may not have involved an alcoholic beverage last season. Thne he proceeded to bring it up on air the following week. Of course, he didn’t clarify what I meant by “broadcasting crush,” because he claims he doesn’t know what that means – even though I clearly explained it to him. See if you get it…I use the term (one I admittedly made up) to describe my fond feelings for a radio personality with whom I seem to share similar ideas. In this case, they’re on sports. Get it? Of course you do.
I thought about this on my way to the studio last week. Probably because I was listening to 1250 on the way in and Sparky was on the air. Figuring I’d at least see him in passing before “The Squad 6 Show” started, I planned on embracing my crazy crush and playing it cool. You know, saying something like, “Look who it is! My broadcasting crush. So nice to meet you!” Yup, I’d play it cool.
Then Gary Woelfel ruined my plan.
He was in studio with Sparky when Zak and I walked in. And I had no plan on how to play it cool him. Don’t get me wrong, he was very nice. He had heard I went to Whitewater and he did too, so we bonded briefly as fellow Warhawks.
“It’s nice to meet you,” he said as he left.
Nice to meet me?! It’s nice to meet you, Bucks Insider, Gary Woelfel. Except, I didn’t say that. In fact, I said very little. I was too dumbfounded – and nervous – to say much. So Gary left, and Sparky followed, and then it was time for the show.
I’ll fast-forward here, both because I’ve already gone over some of the details in my previous post (if you’ve interested, you can listen to the show here – just scroll down to “The Squad Six Show” audio), and because fast-forwarding makes for yet another cheesy play on words. Follow me here…
I called my parents immediately after leaving the studio, sure that they tuned in. They did. In fact, my dad, being the 21-century man that he is, recorded the show on cassette tape. Much to my dismay, he proceeded to play back the show while we talked. Our conversation went a little something like this…
Me: It was a lot of fun.
Dad: Ya did good. (Dad chuckles and presses play yet again, and my voice cuts through the speaker of my cell phone.)
Me: Dad! Cut it out! I don’t need to hear it – I just lived it! (More laughter from Dad.)
Mom: (in the background) Gregg! Stop it! (Still more laughter from Dad.) Amy – I’m trying to get him to stop. Gregg, you’re irritating her!
And so it went. Truth be told, it wasn’t what I said that bothered me, but rather how I sounded saying it. So, aside from being a thrilling experience, the broadcast gave me new perspective. My voice sounds much deeper to me than it must to others. With that in mind, shout out to all my students who are forced to listen to me every day.
But, once again, I digress. I started talking about sports and then it turned into another little life lesson. But that’s how it goes, I think. I wouldn’t go so far as to say sports is life, but it is a pretty nice perk in this crazy world. I think my fellow sports fanatics would agree.
