The Etownian >> News
ECTV tapes Bears
Thursday April 15 2010
It’s not often that college students get the chance to film a professional sports game. However, this opportunity presented itself to junior Steph Couch, junior Tom Pagut, sophomore Sean Duetsch, junior Shelby Meyerhoffer and first-year Robert Koehler on March 27 when they filmed a Hershey Bears game at the Giant Center.This prospect arose from Duetsch’s desire to tape a Bears game. “We contacted the Bears’ public relations (PR) marketing contact [and] expressed an interest. The PR director looked into it and told us that he thought it would be a great opportunity for us. We could come out, bring a crew of students, and videotape a game,” said Andy Williams, director of broadcasting in the communications department.
Arriving two hours before the start of the game, the Elizabethtown College ECTV crew, consisting of three cameramen and two on-air talents, entered through the press entrance, where they were given their press credentials. They had the same privileges that news reporters and other sportscasters customarily receive at this type of venue.
Once in the stadium, the crew was escorted up to the fifth floor, where a broadcast booth had been reserved specifically for them. Being on the press box level “gave the students an idea of what covering a game for local or national TV would be like,” Williams explained.
Before the game began, Meyerhoffer and Duetsch were given a stack of papers with names of the players and their statistics to ensure that they could both identify each player. “There were only two things I was really worried about: either cutting off Sean midsentence or not being able to think of something interesting to say and then having dead air,” Meyerhoffer said.
The differences between filming Etown sporting events and the Bears game were apparent. “The pressure was there. Hockey is very fast-paced,” Williams said. This is where the anchors came into play. Both Duetsch and Meyerhoffer were able to keep up with the high-speed game. “As fast as the game is, your commentary has to be just as fast. They worked well together; Sean was good at calling plays, and Shelby gave color to the game,” Williams said.
ECTV’s experience with the Bears’ PR staff was a positive one, as well. “It was great. They really rolled out the red carpet for the students. They answered questions and loved the students’ enthusiasm,” Williams said. The Bears’ contact, John Walton, worked in radio as well as PR, and he was able to provide the students with a plethora of information about the communications field.
“Before we started the game, Sean and I got to walk down a few doors and meet John Walton,” Meyerhoffer said. “It was great to be able to meet and put a face to the voice that I hear on the radio so often. I wish I would have been able to talk with him more and ask him a few questions, though. That would have been great.”
With all the requests the Giant Center gets for access to their press box, it was a treat for Etown students to gain entrance to such a prestigious spot.
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