Sports enthusiasts find home in sports commentary, furthering their passion with live broadcasting
Angelique Ramirez (left) and Lee (right) commentate together during a Chapman lacrosse game last year. Photo courtesy of Justin Lee
It’s not all about talking; it’s about bringing passion and analysis to a game they want to share with viewers. Sports commentators Alejandro Flores, Justin Lee and Angela Jara experience the life of live sports broadcasting commentating through the Chapman Sports Broadcast Network (CSBN).
Flores, a senior majoring in communication studies, knew he was always interested in football. However, he discovered through CSBN that commentating was not something very far out of reach. It was the perfect opportunity for him to try something new.
“(Commentating) feels second nature to me because I always feel like even when I was watching, I was always an involved fan, like shouting what just happened or ‘Oh my god,’” Flores said. “I was always involved vocally in the game, so that part came naturally.”
“(Commentating) feels second nature to me because I always feel like even when I was watching, I was always an involved fan, like shouting what just happened or ‘Oh my god.’” I was always involved vocally in the game, so that part came naturally.”
Viewers can typically see Flores commentating on sports games as a play-by-play commentator. The role involves Flores calling out plays as they happen and being a personality in the booth. But, Flores digs deeper and understands play-by-play is not a position to take lightly and just look good on camera. It’s about being the “narrator of the game,” as he describes it.
“The way I practice is by studying other commentators. I watched the game of football my whole life, so studying how commentators do their thing, how they run the game, their style and everything,” Flores told The Panther. “I take things that I like, maybe try to make them my own. So, it’s learning from others too, it’s a lot.”
“The way I practice is by studying other commentators. I watched the game of football my whole life, so studying how commentators do their thing, how they run the game, their style and everything. I take things that I like, maybe try to make them my own. So, it’s learning from others too, it’s a lot.”
Lee, a senior studying applied human physiology, has experience in all of the three commentating positions. However, he is most noted for his profound knowledge of sports, typically aiding Flores in the booth as the color commentator. Not only does the color commentator help create conversation with their play-by-play, but also dives into a deeper analysis to help viewers understand certain plays and calls during the game.
Flores (right) serves as the play-by-play commentator, while Lee serves as the color commentator. Photo courtesy of Alejandro Flores
“(Color commentators) have the biggest knowledge out of all the commentators and people in the booth,” Lee said. “(Color commentators) have this wealth of knowledge of the game, the people, who they are individually.”
Despite having individualized roles, the commentating team is a force to be reckoned with. Not only do they each have specific points to cover during broadcasts, but they also work together to avoid repeating information from each other whilst completing their roles.
“(Color commentating is) putting in information in specific places and rehearsing it in your head; that’s the way I prepare for it before we go into rehearsal and rundowns and everything like that. And then also, being able to talk to my other commentator and say: ‘What are you going to be talking about?’ at the beginning (or) ‘What’s your setup?’ and how can I be able to bounce off of that or how can I add more to what you’re talking about,” Lee told The Panther.
Tying the trio together is Jara, a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism and documentary. Despite wanting to report on hard news rather than sports, Jara found a reason to continue with CSBN and her new journey in sideline reporting. Jara repeatedly emphasizes how sports commentating, especially sideline reporting, is not easy.
In addition to being a pretty face on camera, she is storytelling on the job.
“I thought that it was a nice way for me to be able to get in front of the camera,” Jara said. “And, I figured, if I’m going to be reporting on topics such as hard news, that I would also want to have under my belt some sports reporting and understanding more of sports just to be kind of different.”
While Jara plans to redirect her route and report on stories for hard news, Flores and Lee, as non-Dodge majors, have decided to take a different approach. Both want to continue their passion into the workforce, not only because of the excitement and adrenaline that comes with commentating, but also because of their attachment to the sports industry.
“It’s like a way I live vicariously through the sport,” Flores said.
