9 answers
Ivy
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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What should I study in college to become a sports commentator?
I'm in 10th grade and I enjoy watching sports. I keep up pretty well with statistics in the NFL, NBA, college basketball, football and, volleyball. I always listen to the people commentating and I watch the pre and post game interviews.
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9 answers
Erik Yewell
Sales Engineer / Technical Architect
7
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Erik’s Answer
You are on the right path.
None of us know what our future will be... Don't close your options off too early:
In high school, I thought I wanted to be a car designer, but that was before I learned 1) what a car designer ACTUALLY does 2) about computers 3) about it consulting 4) about sales engineering.... each one was a step, which gave be visibility into a whole new set of job options.
Have you met any sports commentators? See if you can (scan your local paper to know who the sports writers are, and ask them about their job, and also if they know any sports commentators)
You need experience in front of crowds, being a commentator - can you MC any events at your highschool?
Find out who the commentator is for your high school football team... work in the sports announcer booth. You will have a front row seat to seeing it in action...
Why college - it is a great place to become an announcer for the college football team... start with the JV team, and get some experience. Watch a lot of college sports, refine your art...
Why college - the best sports announcers can connect with all kinds of people - that means they need to know about more than just sports - you will need to connect with team owner, team marketing teams, stadium investors, and people who are not announcers... The broader the education you have, the more options you will have...
None of us know what our future will be... Don't close your options off too early:
In high school, I thought I wanted to be a car designer, but that was before I learned 1) what a car designer ACTUALLY does 2) about computers 3) about it consulting 4) about sales engineering.... each one was a step, which gave be visibility into a whole new set of job options.
Have you met any sports commentators? See if you can (scan your local paper to know who the sports writers are, and ask them about their job, and also if they know any sports commentators)
You need experience in front of crowds, being a commentator - can you MC any events at your highschool?
Find out who the commentator is for your high school football team... work in the sports announcer booth. You will have a front row seat to seeing it in action...
Why college - it is a great place to become an announcer for the college football team... start with the JV team, and get some experience. Watch a lot of college sports, refine your art...
Why college - the best sports announcers can connect with all kinds of people - that means they need to know about more than just sports - you will need to connect with team owner, team marketing teams, stadium investors, and people who are not announcers... The broader the education you have, the more options you will have...
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Ivy
JOHN German
90
Answers
Hardeeville, South Carolina
Updated
JOHN’s Answer
Hello:
Outside of the extravagantly delightful thoughts and insightfully informative answers, that others so lovingly presented, the link and quotable text are some added guidance's.
"The following skills are helpful for a sports commentator career:
Speaking: Sports commentators have strong speaking skills, which allow them to provide live commentary during sporting events.
Sports acumen: A deep knowledge of sports and terminology, as well as team histories, can help commentators provide detailed play-by-play commentary during games.
Technical skills: Commentators can use technical skills to use sound equipment and other technology to make play-by-play announcements during games.
Statistics: Sports commentators regularly report player and team statistics during games. Statistical skills can help you ensure you deliver accurate information to listeners.
Interpersonal communication: Sports commentators can use communication skills to perform interviews and participate in meetings during the course of their work.
Writing: Commentators can use writing skills to develop scripts and create posts on their professional social media profiles.
Research: When sports commentators aren't at games, they spend their days researching players and statistics. Research skills can help you provide educated insights to audiences during games.
Self-discipline: Commentators use equipment like microphones to broadcast commentary to games. For this reason, self-discipline is a valuable skill for commentators, who may encounter situations with active microphones without realizing the equipment is on.".
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-sports-commentator
Grateful for your steps.
God Bless,
John German
Outside of the extravagantly delightful thoughts and insightfully informative answers, that others so lovingly presented, the link and quotable text are some added guidance's.
"The following skills are helpful for a sports commentator career:
Speaking: Sports commentators have strong speaking skills, which allow them to provide live commentary during sporting events.
Sports acumen: A deep knowledge of sports and terminology, as well as team histories, can help commentators provide detailed play-by-play commentary during games.
Technical skills: Commentators can use technical skills to use sound equipment and other technology to make play-by-play announcements during games.
Statistics: Sports commentators regularly report player and team statistics during games. Statistical skills can help you ensure you deliver accurate information to listeners.
Interpersonal communication: Sports commentators can use communication skills to perform interviews and participate in meetings during the course of their work.
Writing: Commentators can use writing skills to develop scripts and create posts on their professional social media profiles.
Research: When sports commentators aren't at games, they spend their days researching players and statistics. Research skills can help you provide educated insights to audiences during games.
Self-discipline: Commentators use equipment like microphones to broadcast commentary to games. For this reason, self-discipline is a valuable skill for commentators, who may encounter situations with active microphones without realizing the equipment is on.".
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-sports-commentator
Grateful for your steps.
God Bless,
John German
ANDI SANDEN
AZ2, US NAVY
47
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
ANDI’s Answer
No true advice, but just came for encouragement and to let you know that, even if doors keep feeling like they're being shut... KEEP TRYING.
While the world is in a different climate now, and I see MANY more women in the sports arena, it was not always that way and I mised out on potential opportunities by listening to close-minded individuals.
I wanted to be a baseball statistician, but was told by my high school guidance counselor that that was more a male driven profession and should find a goal more attainable. I complied. And that was a mistake.
Follow your dreams and goals, and hopefully the knowledgeable people above me can point you in the right direction.
GOOD LUCK!!
While the world is in a different climate now, and I see MANY more women in the sports arena, it was not always that way and I mised out on potential opportunities by listening to close-minded individuals.
I wanted to be a baseball statistician, but was told by my high school guidance counselor that that was more a male driven profession and should find a goal more attainable. I complied. And that was a mistake.
Follow your dreams and goals, and hopefully the knowledgeable people above me can point you in the right direction.
GOOD LUCK!!
ANDI, thank you!
Ivy
Praisy Abraham
Architect
2
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Praisy’s Answer
You're on the right track to becoming a fantastic sports commentator! Pursuing a college degree in journalism or broadcasting will equip you with the vital skills and knowledge you need to shine in this exhilarating field. Here are some exciting areas of study to consider:
1. Journalism: Immerse yourself in the art of gathering, analyzing, and presenting information effectively. This field empowers you to write captivating stories and cultivate a keen eye for accuracy and fairness.
2. Broadcasting: Develop your voice and on-camera presence. In broadcasting courses, you'll dive into topics like voice and speech, media production, and on-camera performance while staying updated with the latest media production technology.
3. Sports Broadcasting: Take specialized courses in sports broadcasting, which will grant you a comprehensive understanding of sports reporting, commentary, and analysis.
4. Sports Journalism: Hone your writing skills by learning how to write about sports and cover events such as games, matches, and tournaments. Discover and develop your unique style and voice as a writer.
Remember, the key to success lies in practical experience - internships or volunteer work can boost your portfolio and help you build invaluable connections with industry professionals. Passionate about a particular sport or team? Specializing in specific sports can increase your marketability to potential employers.
Keep aiming high, and you're undoubtedly on your way to becoming an outstanding sports commentator!
1. Journalism: Immerse yourself in the art of gathering, analyzing, and presenting information effectively. This field empowers you to write captivating stories and cultivate a keen eye for accuracy and fairness.
2. Broadcasting: Develop your voice and on-camera presence. In broadcasting courses, you'll dive into topics like voice and speech, media production, and on-camera performance while staying updated with the latest media production technology.
3. Sports Broadcasting: Take specialized courses in sports broadcasting, which will grant you a comprehensive understanding of sports reporting, commentary, and analysis.
4. Sports Journalism: Hone your writing skills by learning how to write about sports and cover events such as games, matches, and tournaments. Discover and develop your unique style and voice as a writer.
Remember, the key to success lies in practical experience - internships or volunteer work can boost your portfolio and help you build invaluable connections with industry professionals. Passionate about a particular sport or team? Specializing in specific sports can increase your marketability to potential employers.
Keep aiming high, and you're undoubtedly on your way to becoming an outstanding sports commentator!
Gus S
Consultant
38
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Gus’s Answer
There are many different majors to choose from, but I would primarily recommend majors in communications, journalism, broadcasting, and sports management. Using these majors you can also get involved at your schooling, including writing for your school paper and or broadcasting for your college teams.
Senthil Ramachandiran
Architect
3
Answers
Fairfax, Virginia
Updated
Senthil’s Answer
You don't have to study in college to be a sports commentator. However, the college will give you a lot of exposure (depending on the sports-related course you take) to the actual sports, nitty gritty, history, and some deep knowledge thus making you a subject matter expert. The college also allows you to collaborate with the right set of people including, but not limited to, professors, field experts, and programs to cross-indulge with others in the related field. The collaborate experiences you will get there are tremendous.
On the other hand, you may try to do this on your own, but it requires a lot of dedication, effort, and undivided attention to become that top sport commentator.
All the best to you!
On the other hand, you may try to do this on your own, but it requires a lot of dedication, effort, and undivided attention to become that top sport commentator.
All the best to you!
Alex Sherman
Sales
4
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Alex’s Answer
English, journalism, try to write for the school paper, try broadcasting for the school radio station
Sid Bansal
Marketing / Sales
3
Answers
South Barrington, IL
Updated
Sid’s Answer
I would consider Communications as a degree with a minor in Sports Management?
Thank you so much!
Ivy
TRAVIS UPCHURCH
Federal Contract Admin
118
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
TRAVIS’s Answer
Public speaking, theatre, broadcast journalism.