How-To Sports

Hello! For the last episode of the semester, we had to bring on an incredible guest. Tim might be one of, if not the most, respected sports media members in The Valley. We were planning on one hour, but he had so many great tales and stories we almost went two hours! So wise, so knowledgeable, and a master at his craft. Hear about his year-by-year journey of getting into the industry, how he got into play-by-play, how he prepares for games, advice for young broadcasters, and more! This is also the last episode of How-To Sports for the semester and the last episode for our current hosts. From the bottom of our hearts, Austin Scott, Jeffrey Hinkle, and Hayden Cilley say THANK YOU!!!

For incoming students, current students, and faculty members, this podcast might be one of the best listens for you. How-To Sports is joined by graduating seniors Nick Hodell, Noelle Blumel, Mallory Schnell, Dominic Stearn, Dylan Nichols, Sabrina Jiles, Kade Cameron, and Ashley Engle to talk about the ups and downs of the Cronkite experience, what we love about Cronkite and the sports industry, what can be improved, and advice that they would give to new Cronkite students. It's a conversation full of honesty and transparency all from the heart. If you have the time, give this one a listen!!

Ending the semester strong! In our live show from Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers, we had some of the best Cronkite students come and join us throughout the two hours. For each guest, we had Valley Variety come on the show and do a lookalike as wel... This was a blast!! Give this fun one a listen!

The Austin Scott/Arizona's Family reunion finally happened!! We were able to welcome four of the main people from the sports desk at Arizona's Family to talk about everything in the local television business! We talked about their main sports show "The Extra Point" that airs every night from 10:35 p.m. to 11 p.m. and what goes on behind-the-scenes, leading up to the show. We talk about what a day is like as a local sports reporter for a TV station, what producing and editing a show is like, and so much more! It sucks that we only had an hour for this, because there is just so much good stuff! Enjoy!

We were able to get three people from Arizona Sport's to come into the Bill Austin Radio studio! Had a great time with them as we had a conversation about the ins and outs of how a local radio station. They give advice on how to get into local radio, what to expect, and how to make an impression to get your foot in the door. Great advice from some great people. Give it a listen!

After taking a rain check, Paola was able to come into the studio! It's been a long time coming, and it was definitely worth it. Paola talked about how she fell in love with sports and learned how to pursue it as a career, the backstory behind getting onto the College Football Playoff Committee and becoming the director of the sports bureau, the way women in sports media is being handled, and so much more! There was so much great advice and insight that you'll just have to listen. A great episode with one of the sports industries finest. Enjoy!

It's been over a year since we have had a sideline reporter on the show, so here we are! We brought on one of, if not the most well-known sideline reporters in all of Arizona with Jody Jackson. Over the hour, we talked about what a typical day of sideline reporting is like for baseball, the best things to focus on when starting out in sideline reporting, and then even got into some NL West and Super Bowl talk! The Super Bowl talk is a little outdated, but the advice and knowledge that Jody shares throughout this episode is amazing! Lots of advice and laughs here. Enjoy!!

WHAT UP SPORTS INDUSTRY ENTHUSIASTS!! The How-To Sports show got the chance to do a show LIVE at the WM Open this past week, and it was such a great opportunity. Shoutout to Blaze Radio and Blaze Sports for giving us the opportunity! We had ESPN's Josh Weinfuss, former Athletic writer Bob Young, Golfweek content creator Todd Kelly and Sports360az.com starter Brad Cesmat! Throughout this long episode, we talk about the Super Bowl and WM Open happening in Phoenix, the WM Open, what makes it so special, advice on getting into the sports AND golf industry, and so much more!! This is can't miss stuff. Enjoy!

With so many guests coming in from different areas of the industry, it was about time we bring someone on that knows all about making connections, building relationships and jumping on opportunity! Mike Wong gives some great advice for incoming freshman and transfer students that are coming into the Cronkite School looking to get their footing. He also breaks down the process of being a PA announcer for Sun Devil Athletics. Lots of good content. If you are coming into Cronkite specifically and are wondering what opportunities are outside of Cronkite, who to talk to and what to focus on, this is for you. Enjoy!

It feels great to be back for another semester of How-To Sports! to kick off the semester and join us for our 20th episode is Shemar Woods. Shemar talks about his journey with journalism and reporting in college, his days working weekends and nights, and his pure love for telling stories. Shemar also gives great advice to young sports journalists that are feeling the pressure of being perfect. Whether you want to be a digital reporter or just a reporter in general, this episode is for you! Enjoy!

Although we are a little late on this one, this episode is very evergreen and is a great listen! We filled up the studio with six of Cronkite's best students in sports journalism, and picked their brain on what it is like day-to-day in this industry. Lots of hard work and self-reflection, but lots of fun. This is a transparent, honest episode that is worth every second of your time. Enjoy!!

This one has been in the on deck circle for awhile, but we finally got him in the batters box! Our first in-game host Mike Bauer joined us live in the studio to fully break down what being an in-game host is like (from getting to the ballpark to leaving the ballpark), how the moments in-between the on-camera hits are the most important, and how it's like behind the scenes. Bauer also talks about how he got into the sports industry and how he discovered in-game hosting. Bauer has been an in-game host since 2006 where he started with the Roadrunners. A great personality, a great conversation, lots of humor, and a great time. Top-notch advice from one of the industries finest. Enjoy! 

A couple of new milestones, you know the drill. Our FIRST photographer on the show and in the studio! ML/Diamondbacks photographer Danielle Cortez came in to discuss her late, but effective discovery of photography, the "hustle" of being a photographer day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month, and so much more! She talks about the cost it takes to be a photographer (it's a lot). Just a very transparent conversation about sports photography! If you are a photog, this is one you won't want to miss. Top-notch advice from one of the industries finest. Enjoy!

And, this is Jeffrey Hinkle's first time hosting How-To Sports! Yay!

Another week, another great episode. Finally got our first play-by-play person in the studio! Austin has Matt McConnell as a play-by-play professor, and he knew he would be the perfect guest. This episode is hilarious. We talk about how Matt went from is sub 2.0 GPA to being a play-by-play broadcaster. No more math! We even talk about some Chicago recommendations. More importantly, Matt gives great advice on what it takes to be a play-by-play broadcaster, advice to young students who are trying to get into the field, his long journey to get to the NHL, and so much more. We wish we had more than an hour, but this episode is packed with wonderful insight and knowledge. Top-notch advice from one of the industries finest. Enjoy!

What a way to kick off October!! Couldn't ask for a better guest than Ike Easley. It was our first entrepreneur on the podcast, and he is the definition of a hype man! We dive deep into the creation and the backstory of Take It Easley Productions, his insane day-to-day routine (he thinks eight miles is easy!), his experience working with the Phoenix Suns, and so much more. There is so much crammed into this episode, you have to listen to the whole thing. He gives great advice, talks about his time at Cronkite as a student and teaching, and he even touches on starting his own school! I beg you to listen to this one. Top-notch advice from one of the industries finest. Enjoy! 

Another great episode in the Bill Austin Radio this Sunday! Laura Sorto from the Phoenix Mercury joined the podcast as the first guest with the Mercury, and the WNBA!! And, Hayden Cilley gave his first crack at hosting the show (and did a great job). We talked about Laura's journey from working with the Dallas Mavericks, to working with Austin FC, all they way to her position with the Mercury. She breaks down her role with the Mercury and how communication managers and sports informational directors are the same thing, but SIDs are collegiate and communication managers are pro. Did you know that?? We also have really transparent conversation about ways to grow the WNBA's awareness, women in sports, and the past roller-coaster of a season for the Mercury. She tells us great stories about the Mercury and so much more! This is a can't miss episode. As always, this is a top-notch advice from one of the industries finest. Enjoy!

What a great day it is to listen to your favorite sports industry podcast! This week, we have another amazing episode on your hands with two of the best people we know. Jordan Spurgeon and Claudia Collins bring a young, fresh, and positive energy that is needed not only in the sports industry, but in day-to-day life. They both work with Sports360AZ, which is an Arizona-based media outlet that tells the best human element sports stories around. Outside of talking about Sports360AZ, Claudia also touches on her "On The Rocks" series where she gives her best hiking recommendations. If you are in Arizona, you are going to want to listen! There is also great conversation about storytelling, mental health, and so much more. As always, this is top-notch advice from some of the industries finest. Enjoy!

Twitter: @HTSportsShow

Yeah that's right, we're backkkkkk. After a long summer break of recruiting, content planning, and having fun of course, we are back better than ever. It's hard to think of a better guest to kick things off than Doug Tammaro. Tammaro has been a staple for ASU Athletics for about 30 years, and was recently promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director, filling the shoes of ASU legend Mark Brand. He talks about his journey form growing up in Ellswood City, Pennsylvania, to playing high school basketball, to attending Baldwin-Wallace College, to entering his profession in sports. He goes over what a sports information director is... it's pretty confusing but Doug does a great job. He also talks about the impact Pat Tillman has on ASU athletics, how to approach players and coaches to get the best quotes, relating to players with an age gap, and so much more. Top-notch advice from one of the industries finest. Enjoy!

Twiiter: @HTSportsShow

Bob Weinerth, just like everyone else on the show, grew up being a diehard sports fan. It was easy for Weinerth to fall in love with sports coming from the Bay Area, where he rooted for the Giants, Warriors, and 49ers. He went on to San Jose State University and joined the student radio station as the sports director. After spending a year in LA, he came to the Phoenix area where he spent 10 years at FOX 10. Weinerth has now been with the Suns since 2013 and has loved it ever since. Weinerth talks about what skills are needed to be a successful videographer for a team, and what people hiring are looking as candidates come out of college and enter the industry. From filming the DeAndre Ayton alley-oop, to having long conversations with Chris Paul, this guy has stories for days. Top-notch advice from one of the industries finest. Enjoy!

Michelle Gardner knew she wanted to be a sports writer all along, which made it easier for her to pursue her passion. She went on to study journalism at the University of Florida and after she graduated, didn't have the best of luck. She had a job lined up in Orlando, and when she arrived for her first day, the spot was filled. Gardner found some success with her local newspaper in Florida, but over her career has been faced with adversity and hardship. In early 2018, her husband passed away and she got laid off from her job in the Los Angeles area, once again leaving her without a place to work. Then after moving to Arizona, she seems to have found her home where she now is today. Gardner talks about covering anything from high school sports, collegiate sports, to minor league baseball, how to build a relationship with a team and ask the right questions, her process when writing ledes for a story, and more. Her upbeat and positive personality throughout this episode is what stands out the most though. Top-notch advice from one of the industries finest. Enjoy! 

Brad Denny and Joe Healey have been a part of the Speak of the Devils podcast for over 10 years now, and they have created some great memories. Denny talks about how he didn't necessarily see himself landing in the sports industry growing up, and Healey talks about how his father Tim Healey influenced him to be in sports media. They both go on to talk about their favorite guests they've had on the podcasts, their process for booking guests, preparing for episodes, the hardest topics to cover, what stresses them out, and more. They also talk a little bit about ASU sports and how the podcast is looking to improve on its coverage of ASU sports all around. It's upbeat, funny, informative, and insightful. This is a can't miss episode. Two guests for the first time and multiple people (students) asking questions for the first time. Top-notch advice from some of the industries finest. Enjoy!

Cameron Cox was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and fell in love with sports at a young age just like everyone else. Cameron attended East New Mexico University and after being a student-athlete (playing football) his freshman year, he decided to pursue sports journalism to the fullest. Right before graduating, Cameron talked about how he would go to Walgreens and buy folders to put his cover letter and CD reel in to send to different media outlets across the country. Fast forward 10 years or so, he now covers the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, college sports, high school sports, and more. Cameron gives great advice on broadening your perspective outside of sports, getting as many reps as possible, and breaks down the keys to making a package. Top-notch advice from one of the industries finest. Enjoy!

McKenzie Neibert has had no problem with moving up the latter post-graduation from ASU. She has been the Digital Coordinator at UFC for almost two years now, and she is living out her dream for a living. Very early on, Neibert learned that MMA was the path she wanted to take in the sports industry, and throughout high school, undergraduate, and graduate school, she never lost sight of that. Outside of her journey, she gives incredible advice on social media presence, branding, and growth strategy. Not only authentic growth, but how to make on the fly adjustments to your social media presence to cater better to your target audience. She ends it of by talking about how to apply for internships as a college student, and goes into detail about resumes and cover letters. Top-notch advice from one of the industries finest. Enjoy! 

Bob Adlhoch has been working as a producer/director for the Phoenix Suns for 21 years and has been the executive producer since 2012. Also a Cronkite alumni, Adlhoch immediately got into freelance work as a sports producer working for clients such as ABC, CBS, ESPN and more. Adlhoch had an original interest in being on-air and in front of the camera, but once he dived into live sports production at ASU, he decided that production was the route for him to take. He gives advice on what kind of mindset to have to pursue live sports production, or any craft really, while in college and how to move up the latter in such a competitive industry. He spends the last half of the podcast talking about his live sports production with the Phoenix Suns, and specifically breaks down Devin Booker's 70-point game and the start to finish process that came with it. Everything is says is top-notch advice, just like every guest that has been on. (This one is special though because we were live on the radio for the first time on blazeradioonline.com!) Enjoy!

Darren Urban has been covering the Arizona Cardinals for 22 years, and exclusively since 2007 with azcardinals.com. He graduated from ASU in 1992 from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and has stayed in the Arizona covering sports since he graduated. Over the years, he has spent time with the Scottsdale Progress, Phoenix Gazette, Arizona Daily Sun, Easy Valley Tribune and now with the Arizona Cardinals. He gives incredible insight on being a beat writer for a NFL team and breaks down what a week looks like during the regular season. He also talks about how to write a game story and what to look for when writing one. Urban grew up a Steelers fan, and years later covered the Steelers vs. Cardinals Super Bowl... how crazy is that?? One of the most well-rounded and well-known guests to be on the show, and he showed why. Top-notch advice from one of the industries finest.

Chancellor Johnson is pretty new to the sports industry, but has had no problem with thriving in the industry. While going to ASU, he was involved with the Walter Cronkite Sports Network, interned with ESPN, and worked with the NCAA. He also worked Super Bowl 51, possibly the best Super Bowl of all time. Out of college, Johnson was a sports reporter for WGNA-TV, Channel 26 in Green Bay covering the Packers, Bucks, and other Green Bay sports. As recently as January of this year, he has returned to his hometown of Houston to be a sports reporter for KPRC, and has also started being a freelance sideline reporter for CBS Sports. Johnson has been all over the place in such a short amount of time, and talks about the opportunities he got through the Sports Journalism Institute and the Emma Brown Foundation. Our youngest guest on the show so far, and he did not disappoint one bit. Top-notch advice from one of the industries finest.

Jim Kozimor is a long-time play-by-play announcer and host. He has done play-by-play for four different Olympics and has called NBA, WNBA, college football and basketball, you name it. He has worked with NBC Sports Bay Area and California for more than 11 years now, and started his sportscaster journey at Michigan State University. Currently, Jim is getting ready to call games for the 2022 Winter Olpymics. Jim has been involved in almost every aspect of the sports broadcasting industry. Overall, Jim tells some great stories from his experiences, offers great tips on the specifics of calling a game, and even gets emotional talking about his favorite moment in the industry. Top-notch adivce from one of the industries finest.

Alex Pavlovic has been the San Francisco Giants insider for NBC Sports Bay Area since 2015, and before that, he wrote for the San Jose Mercury News on a part-time/full-time basis for six years. After graduating from the University of Santa Barbara, Pavlovic knew he wanted to be a sports writer and spent a year in Santa Barbara working for the local newspaper. Now, Pavlovic is writing non-stop stories for the San Francisco Giants, appears on the pre and postgame shows, and has his own podcast called "Giants Talk" with Cole Kuiper airing every Wednesday during the off-season. He offers transparent, and honest advice about the industry based of his own experience. He gave a physical envelope full of stories and a resume to a future employer and almost pursued law school due to the lack of pay. Top-notch words and advice from one of the industries finest.