The Overlap

For a broadcaster, we have entered the time of the year that is both very hectic yet very enjoyable.

I am talking, of course about the time period we like to call 'The Overlap.'

It's that two to three week period in November when football is wrapping up and basketball is just starting up. It can sometimes be a tricky proposition for us broadcasters. There are several logistical things we need to address when we first examine the schedules and how they might come together.

The work really begins in the summer - when there are no games. I make sure we have three viable broadcasting kits. These will feature a transmitting device, headsets, crowd microphones, cables, etc. We've never had a situation where we've needed to do four broadcasts at once but we have often had three so it's important for me to have all three events covered and covered professionally.

Once the MAC and Kent State announce the basketball schedules, I'll sit down and lay everything out on a calendar. I also have to throw the weekly radio show in there to make sure it doesn't catch anyone by surprise. The last thing we want is a radio show where all the coaches are traveling for games or recruiting!

When we've identified the overlap areas, I'll start assigning broadcasters to events. We were very fortunate this year to have the football schedule move to the mid-week as early as it did. And thanks to some shrewd maneuvering by our crack office staff, we've been able to keep all the games covered by our familiar voices.

For me, there are two overlap seasons - November and March. The latter takes place when basketball and wrestling teams are heading into post-season (an annual tradition at KSU!) and our fine baseball team is beginning conference play. All the same planning comes into play and I'm fortunate to have true pros like Dave Wilson and Rob Polinsky at my disposal to fill all our Golden Flashes contests.

Tonight, I hope you'll take time to attend Senior Night at Robert C. Dix Stadium as the Flashes battle the Miami RedHawks. And bring a transistor radio or smartphone to listen to our basketball team takes on Seton Hall! It's the Overlap!

TL