Byline: Mike Waters Staff writer
The fourth annual Sportscaster U, a three-day program in sports broadcasting taking place this week at Syracuse University, produced more than the usual array of NBA players honing their on-camera skills in the studios of the Newhouse School of Communications.
Even as Andre Iguodala, Earl Boykins and Matt Carroll handled interviews and mock studio shows and while Vince Carter stepped away from the classroom to go on ESPN's First Take, this year's Sportscaster U felt different.
What made this year's version of the NBA Players Association's career development seminar, which is run by SU adjunct professors Matt Park and Dave Ryan, different is the program's burgeoning alumni base.
Past participants, including Eric Snow, Malik Rose and Brevin Knight, have made their way into the broadcast field.
Rich Rinaldi, the NBPA's career counselor, said of Sportscaster U's 16 'graduates,' seven are still playing, seven are working in broadcasting and two are working in other fields.
'The word is out throughout the league,' Rinaldi said Tuesday as Carter, Carroll and Boykins joined Ryan on the studio set. 'The guys who come here and really put in the effort are able to get a lot out of the experience.'
In addition to Boykins, Iguodala, Carter and Carroll, this year's Sportscaster U class included Ryan Hollins, Dahntay Jones and Shaun Livingston.
Boykins learned of the program through the NBPA.
'I really wanted to come here and learn more about the business,' Boykins said. 'I know basketball, but there's so much more that goes into a career in broadcasting than just talking about basketball.'
Sportscaster U's history may be brief but it's been so well-received that it seems to be attracting current players with a higher level of broadcasting skills. The seminar requires the players to make a commitment both in terms of time and money. The program packs a lot into three days. And then there's the $5,700 program fee.
'If they come here,' Rinaldi said, 'they're very motivated.'
Gerry Matalon, ESPN's senior coordinating producer of talent planning, has been part of the Sportscaster U curriculum for the past three years.
'The big thing I've noticed is the guys are incredibly engaged across the board,' Matalon said. 'They're exhibiting the things I can't teach. I can't teach desire. I can't teach caring.'
Rinaldi said Shaquille O'Neal, Sportscaster U's most notable graduate, has become its most vocal supporter.
'He helps promote the program amongst the players,' Rinaldi said.
O'Neal is part of a three-minute video that the NBPA put together about Sportscaster U. At the end of the video, O'Neal provides the tagline:
'Do yourselves a favor and go to Sportscaster U.'
Mike Waters can be reached at 470-3086 or mwaters@syracuse.com.
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Dennis Nett/The Post-Standard
NBA PLAYERS taking part at this year's Sportscaster U program at SU are (from right) Vince Carter, Matt Carroll and Earl Boykins. Next to Boykins is instructor Dave Ryan. See a video at syracuse.com/video.
