WRMC reaches fans through radio waves

Author: Ryan W. Reese

"For Tom McCann and Ryan Reese, this is Dan Berkman signing off for Panther hockey on WRMC 91.1." With these words, Berkman '06.5 disconnected from the airwaves and live Internet feed to end the radio broadcast of the NCAA quarterfinal game between Middlebury's women's hockey team and their counterparts from Manhattanville. As we packed up the soundboard, microphones and headsets, I began to reflect on the evening's broadcast and the process involved in producing and broadcasting Middlebury sports on the campus radio station WRMC.

As the postseason tournaments rolled around this year and Middlebury's berth became secure, The Campus began to brainstorm new, innovative styles of tournament coverage. In this search, Tom McCann '06 recalled that Berkman was a commentator for WRMC and that this angle would be a fresh and exciting view of Middlebury hockey. Through a series of e-mails, phone calls and coincidences, McCann and I found ourselves in the press box Friday night alongside Berkman, headphones and all. The following story recaps our experience as a color commentator and play-by-play announcer.

5:47 P.M. - McCann and I met Berkman in Atwater Dining Hall for a pregame meal. As we sat over our turkey dinner, Berkman went over some basic elements of the broadcast. He explained how we would do a short pregame introduction that included a history of the two programs and series record as well as statistics and predictions for the game. He also gave us some encouragement as he said, "Make sure to include any interesting facts, observations or anecdotes that you have about the players or anything."

6:21 P.M. - On the walk across campus, we stopped at the library to print off some statistics for the Panthers and the Valiants. Berkman explained, "The season stats always come in handy for pregame analysis and the recaps and commentary during the intermissions." After a quick pit stop in the restrooms, we were on our way down to Kenyon Arena. During the walk, Berkman explained that he has been commentating since he arrived here. "I've always loved hockey games and thought this would be a great way to be involved in the sport during college." He has been doing women's games for a while now and has recently provided color commentary for the men's contests. Also, he explained the new system for broadcasting that is run through an iTunes program. He told us that this system was much more efficient and enhanced the sound quality of the production. Previously, the broadcasts were patched through the station headquarters by a rudimentary dial-up system. As we entered the rink, McCann and I felt as though we were in "Wayne's World" flashing our backstage passes as we walked straight through the security checks toward the press box.

6:45 P.M. - We followed Berkman up the stairs to the press box overlooking the ice. As I looked down and watched warm-ups, Berkman busied himself setting up the equipment, which included a small soundboard, laptop, microphone stand and headsets. The cables and connectors seemed to run together into a tangled mess. McCann and I jokingly discussed the pros and cons of the pre-game snack and the individual preference between the hamburger and the hot dog, practicing our radio voices. After Berkman figured out some technical difficulties with the new system, we were "on the air" for senior Gloria Velez's rendition of the national anthem.

7:07 P.M. - As Berkman started off his play-by-play we got accustomed to the format, and McCann made his first color comments on the fact that Manhattanville's first-year goaltender had forgotten her water bottle. "Well, well, well...it looks like its going to be a thirsty twenty minutes for the first-year netminder," said McCann with a knowing smile creeping into his voice. We decided that this was the first sign of nerves and that it was going to be a long period for Carine Turmel. Soon after this, the first Panther defensive miscue resulted in the Valiants' first goal. Berkman continued his solid play-by-play account of the goings on as McCann and I voiced our opinions that it would take much more than a fluke like that to slow down the Panther attack.

7:32 P.M. - After the first period ended, the three of us provided a short recap of the scrappy and fairly unorganized style of play that characterized the first period of play. We commented on the development of what we had decided would be keys to the game for Middlebury, mainly the Panther defense and first-year offensive sensation Annemarie Cellino. She had not found her stride yet and the Panthers seemed to be a out of sync across the ice, but there were glimmers of hope as the period ended. We also let Berkman know that he was incorrectly pronouncing the names "Cell-ah-no" and "Koo-gut" instead of "Cell-ee-no" and "Koh-gut." He laughed as he said, "Yeah. I have some trouble with pronunciation in the moment. Thanks for the help." It was during this first break that we realized there were some great perks to this broadcasting gig. McCann and I headed over to the courtesy table and helped ourselves to free pizza and soda as we waited for the zamboni to finish its job down on the ice. Looking to learn as much as we could from the more experienced broadcaster beside us, we asked Berkman what he finds most challenging about broadcasting a hockey game. He said, "doing the play-by-play is definitely the hardest part of the process. Trying to cover all the action is a huge challenge with the fast-paced nature of hockey." He continued, "I try to get all of the action for the listener and try to make them feel like they're at the game. It's kind of an art."

7:48 P.M. - When the second period began, things looked quite bleak for the Panther faithful as another miscue resulted in the second Valiant goal. Berkman's play-by-play continued strongly through the quiet, worried atmosphere inside Kenyon while McCann and I were almost too shocked to contribute anything worthwhile. Suddenly, just as McCann and I had predicted, the Panthers picked up the pace and came roaring back. Cellino shot hard against Turmel on the power play and Erika Nakamura '09 slotted home the rebound with authority. It was not long after this that the Panthers tied up the game with a goal from Tania Kenny '08. The sophomore defensemen found herself in on goal in a shorthanded situation and capitalized with a shot over the shoulder of Turmel. "Redemption, Redemption, Redemption!" From the broadcasting booth, we exploded with excitement for Kenny, whose clearing pass was intercepted and snapped home for the second Valiant goal.

8:31 P.M. - As we each threw in our two cents at the end of the second period, we each had a sneaking suspicion that the Panther machine would be rolling right on through to the Frozen Four. Berkman questioned McCann on our predictions for the game's conclusion and he talked about Middlebury's superior conditioning and its home-ice advantage. As we talked about everything from anecdotes about Panther skaters to the fiasco that unfolded around a disfunctional scoreboard, McCann and I realized how much fun Berkman must have on a weekly basis. After we signed off and left the zamboni to its work, the old veteran play-by-play announcer asked if we wanted to try our hand at calling the action. Not being the kinds to turn down a new challenge, we heartily accepted.

8:39 P.M. - I opened the action excitedly as everything that I'd been hearing on the radio my whole life seemed to be coming out of my mouth. There was an undeniable rush associated with calling the action as I frantically tried to keep up with the action while describing the play and including the names of the skaters involved. As our inexperience showed, McCann and I often overlapped one another with our commentary. After a while we worked out a rhythm and got into a real flow of calling the action and including Berkman's colorful comments.

8:53 P.M. - "Cellino scores! What a beautiful thing! I can't believe it! Cellino
and [Shannon] Sylvester '07! Oh my!" McCann, Berkman and I let out collective superlatives relating to what had just occurred on the ice below. After an incredible exchange of passes, Sylvester issued a centering pass toward the waiting stick of Cellino, whose one-timer ricocheted off the crossbar and past Turmel for the Panthers go-ahead goal. The Panthers went on to win the game 4-3 after a power play goal from Velez and another goal from the Valiants.

9:06 P.M. - As the Panthers encircled senior netminder Kate Kogut, Berkman, McCann and I wrapped up our commentary from WRMC. We noted the embrace between injured star and Captain Emily Quizon '06 and Cellino, as well as the knowing hug between Quizon and Kogut that carried overtones of respect and excitement, as well as friendship. We ended with a preview of the men's game that would come the following day and some thoughts on the rest of the women's tournament and Middlebury's chances to make it three championships in a row.

9:12 P.M. - We helped Berkman pack up the equipment and walked down the press box steps. He said, "Thanks alot for helping me out tonight. You guys did a great job for your first game." He told us that he had the night off tomorrow and that he would just be enjoying the game from the stands.

While our broadcasting careers may be over as quickly as they began, Berkman will continue a little longer. "I'll do this again next year, seeing as I'm a Feb," he said. However, for Berkman too, it seems, that when his time at Middlebury runs its course, so too, will his career as a commentator. "As much as I'd like to, I doubt that I'll pursue any sort of career in broadcasting," he concluded. While this may be true for us, after one game in the press box, it would certainly be accurate to state that it will not be for a lack of enjoyment or enthusiasm. As Berkman headed off towards his Friday evening plans, McCann and I stood in front of the exit of the arena and looked at each other. We both smiled, laughed and said, "That was awesome."