By David Korn
It was the morning of the second round of the Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Tournament. GW was set to play Duquesne at five later that day in Wilmington, Delaware. The night before, I had gotten a message from one of the broadcasters who was planning to make the trip (and the one who had a car) that they were feeling a bit under the weather, and that there was a slight chance they would not be able to make it. I did not think too much about it, and went to sleep. Then, when I woke up, I got the dreaded text saying that they were too sick. I had to jump in, figure out a way to get to Wilmington without a car, and get ready to broadcast the biggest game of my life with only a few hours to prep.
I was very lucky. C-Brass, GW’s student band that was making the trip to Wilmington, had a few extra seats on their bus for us. I had also broadcasted the previous GW Duquesne game, so I didn’t need to learn an entire new team and already had a lot of materials prepared. I got to the arena, and began to settle in. I started performing my usual routine: setting up my equipment, speaking to the SID, coaches, and players to get any last minute information and updates, and checking out the press room to see if there are any more materials available to me.
My broadcast partner, Ashleigh, took on play by play duties for the first half. GW played well, and went into the break with a three point lead after the first two quarters. It was an incredible game with both sides raining threes and staying close. Feeling like I had a strong grasp of both teams after a half of playing the analyst role, I stepped in to do play by play for the rest of the game. GW continued to play well in the third quarter, setting up what looked like a comfortable finish. Then, Duquesne started coming back. Eventually, the score ended up tied with about 30 seconds left. GW had the ball. I took a deep breath and tried to relax myself for what could happen next.
“Innis taking her time, looks like GW is going to use up the clock. Five seconds again separate it, 20 seconds left, 15 on the shot clock. Innis defended by Meyers, who’s gonna call for some motion from Lakstigala. She’s going to go to the left side, screen from Taiwo, Taiwo’s gonna hand back off to Innis, Innis is going to drive in, take the lay in, that one’s no good. KICKED OUT BY TAIWO, SHOT CLOCK OFF, SHOT BY LAKSTIGALA, THAT ONE’S GOOD! MIA LAKSTIGALA NAILS THE TRIPLE TO GIVE GW A THREE POINT LEAD WITH 4.9 SECONDS LEFT! MIA LAKSTIGALA WITH THE SHOT OF HER LIFE, THE SHOT OF THE SEASON, WHAT A PLAY!”
I didn’t stumble over any of my words. My voice, which was suffering from a perpetual broadcast induced soreness, didn’t crack. I got all of the information right. The technology worked (shoutout FAU Radio Network’s Ken LaVicka). I nailed the call.
My freshman year, on one of my first ever broadcasts, I got the opportunity to call a buzzer beater and blew it. The moment got away from me and I whiffed. Thankfully, the recording software at the time was not working so I never had to listen to myself fail at what I thought was my one chance at calling such a special moment. In what ended up being my second to last WRGW basketball broadcast ever, I got my chance at redemption, and made sure to make the most of it.
Now that I am getting ready to graduate, I find myself thinking back to what I now understand as one of the most pivotal moments from my time at GW. During the freshman orientation at the School of Media and Public Affairs, before classes had even started, all of the student media organizations on campus were tabling. I don’t remember a lot from that day nearly four years later, but I do remember speaking to the people at the WRGW table, who told me that even though I didn’t have any experience, I would be able to be on the air interning on a sports show and broadcasting basketball games immediately. That sold me on WRGW, and I haven’t looked back.
Despite WRGW being one of the largest and most popular student organizations on campus, there is not a real sense of community within the station as a whole. People mostly just do their shows with a few friends, and that’s that. The Sports Department is unique in that in addition to hosting your shows, you also get the opportunity to broadcast basketball games. Spendings hours preparing, and then talking on air for an entire game really gives you the opportunity to get to know someone quickly. Through this process, I have met some of my closest friends.
While there isn’t necessarily that innate sense of community at WRGW, that doesn’t mean people don’t care. Throughout the past two years, I was bestowed the thankless role of being the face of the infamous preemptions, where basketball games sometimes cause shows to be canceled or rescheduled. These preemptions have caused people to attack me on social media, cuss me out at parties, demand WRGW to cancel their basketball coverage, and more. I didn’t love this type of confrontation at the time, but now, I have begun to realize that this is because WRGW has given people a platform to pursue their passions, whatever that passion may be. For me, that was sports journalism and basketball broadcasting. For other people, it could be anything that falls under the jurisdiction of the Music, Talk, or News Departments. It’s incredible that this one organization is able to allow people of almost any interest to find a home.
WRGW gave me the opportunity, platform, and resources to live out my childhood dream of being a sports journalist and broadcaster. Since my freshman year, I hosted 14 weekly live shows, broadcasted 28 basketball games at eight different arenas in six different states (and DC), and interviewed countless student-athletes, coaches, and even an Olympic medalist. For all of these experiences, I am truly thankful.
To the Sports Department:
You have all pushed me to be the best that I can be. I am so lucky to have been able to lead such a hard working, dedicated, and talented group. Keep making spotting boards, asking questions during press conferences, and putting together the best shows.
Nick Porr:
Coming back from COVID, we had to basically build the Sports Department from scratch and figure everything out ourselves. I think we did a pretty good job. We all wish things didn’t end the way they did last semester, but you are a great partner to have by my side. Thank you for putting up with me even when I may have taken this all a bit too seriously.
Nick Perkins:
You stepped up in a big way and kept me sane this year. You are an incredible broadcaster and have created possibly the best sports show in WRGW history. I am so excited to see what you and the rest of the Sports Department do in your next two years. Our trip to Hofstra was absolute insanity and I still can’t believe we made it back. Thank you for the afternoons of football and for being a great friend. I can’t wait to hear all of the puns you bring to your broadcasts next year.
Ashleigh:
Both of us may have bit off a bit more than we could chew this semester, but thank you for working with me and making sure that we provided the best coverage we could. The blog would not be where it is now without your dedication. We made quite a team, dropping everything and finding a way to get to Wilmington. Keep winning money.
Scott and Max:
You were both my first introduction to WRGW with “The Breakdown” my freshman year. Thank you guys for being incredible co hosts, broadcast partners, and friends. From the first ever broadcast on skis, to calling literally the worst quarter of GW basketball of all time and seeing the Kobe shrine in Philly, to all of the watch parties, you guys are the best and I’ve missed you this year.
Ari:
I know we are both equally happy to have found another Boston sports fan. I don’t think we ever actually hosted a show together, but you have been one of the most integral figures during my time at WRGW. I’m still mad about the loss at Maryland, but at least it got Mark Turgeon fired. Thank you for giving me your blessing to run for sports director my sophomore year, for always being down to hear the latest WRGW gossip, and for being one of my best friends.
Henry:
We certainly have had our adventures this year. From spending over 15 hours on Amtrak on the way to Rhode Island, to our bus to New York getting delayed because it started smoking, Jon Rothstein not crediting us when we got the South Carolina injury updates first, and lugging my ridiculous duffel bag around Brooklyn, there’s no one I’d have rather had on the mic with me this season. Thank you for all of your incredible analysis, always being ready to travel, and being a great friend (and colleague!).
Liam:
I am so glad you made the decision to join WRGW this year and help us build up the blog. You played such a big role in the department this year and are one of the most dedicated reporters I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Buy stock now. It’s in the lab. We sleep in May.
Abe:
You’ve already mastered one of the most important professional skills: saying “yes.” We need a fill-in broadcaster an hour before game time, can you do it? “Yes.” Do you want to hop on a 2:00 a.m. post game phone call even though you’re in the Caribbean? “Yes.” Are you going to keep going to every A-10 tournament game at the Barclays Center even though GW got knocked out on the second day? “Yes.” Keep it up.
Kevin:
I couldn’t have done any of this without your constant support. Thank you for always finding time for us to speak with the team, answering all of our questions, treating us like real media, and keeping us in line. Whenever I fist pump under the table in the future I’ll think back to your advice.
Coach:
I’m not sure you realize how much it has meant to all of us at WRGW, but thank you for not only finding the time to speak with us, but for being so genuine in our interactions. Whether it was our words after the loss at Saint Joseph’s in Philadelphia, your legitimate concern for Henry and I’s travel back to D.C. after the Rhode Island game, the conversation we had in the tunnel at the Barclays Center, or any of the times you have fully and honestly answered our questions in press conferences and interviews, we’ve appreciated you. The program is in good hands.
Abi and Bryn:
Thank you both for your unwavering support of the Sports Department and for standing up for us throughout the year. I don’t know where we’d be without your help. You were both dealt a pretty tough hand and handled it so gracefully and not only kept WRGW afloat, but made it thrive under your leadership.
WRGW Board:
From volunteering your time to run Zooms, to listening to our broadcasts, and cheering on our intramural teams, thank you all so much for everything that you have done this past year to support me and build up the Sports Department. Even though most of you couldn’t care less about sports, the fact that you still put in the effort has meant so much to me. I’ll miss the events, karaoke, and even the Sunday board meetings. You guys are what made radio fun.
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