Knowing how much Word on the Street readers enjoy hearing about the world of media, I was going to write about the job Jim and Tony did announcing last Sunday’s Super Bowl. Unfortunately, they didn’t take my calls or respond to my emails. Probably some administrative mix-up.
So… rather than continue any further pursuit of Messrs. Nantz and Romo, I’ll turn my focus closer to home.
Area sports fans are no doubt familiar with TV6/FOX UP telecasts of various intercollegiate contests between NMU and Michigan Tech. For more than a decade now, when we haven’t been able to attend the game, we’ve been able to catch the broadcast, live, and in living color, on the local station.
And although the Division I matchups in hockey-mad Marquette and Houghton are usually the most popular of the telecasts, they’re not the only ones. Over the school year, in addition to plenty of ice time, we’ve been treated to football, volleyball, soccer, and men’s and women’s basketball.
Local broadcasts of anything that we also see on the networks, like hockey, football, basketball, etc., are usually going to reflect the differences in production budgets. I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think the station up the road is getting 7 mil for a 30-second spot in NMU/Tech volleyball.
That being said, there is one area where comparisons are fair, and I’d suggest the local guys stack up quite well. With apologies to the CBS announcers, I’ll put Mark Evans and Dave Ellis (seen above) up against anybody, network or otherwise.
The Men Behind the Mics
Frequent viewers have probably become quite comfortable with the duo, since they’ve been on the call for some ten years now. No one knows their value more than TV6/FOX UP Vice President Rick Rhoades. He’s not just a sports fan, but he’s also the guy who has to pay the bills, which doesn’t happen without an audience that appreciates the broadcast… starting with the announcers.
“From day one,” says Rhoades, “they’ve brought a high level of professionalism calling the games. Mark is a top notch play-by-play announcer and Dave is fantastic on color.” (Note to Mark and Dave… remember that during your next contract negotiations.)
I’m most impressed with their work on hockey games, which I have to believe is the hardest of all to call. Evans adroitly handles the speed of the game while Ellis provides insight valuable to both casual and rabid fans.
Evans has a preference for the intensity of the hockey rivalry. “Just by the nature of the atmosphere at both schools, I’d say hockey is my favorite, but all are fun to televise.” And he naturally relies on his counterpart to competently fill in the blanks. “Dave is excellent at the details of a game. He knows a lot about the history of the rivalry, and his energy always helps this old dog get up for the challenge.”
Ellis also leans towards hockey. “I grew up a hockey guy in the Copper Country, so hockey is always my #1.” Maybe that’s why he finds other sports more difficult to call. “Of the sports we do, women’s soccer is difficult because of the distance from the players, the small numbers on jerseys, and the fluid nature of where they are.” I’d say the same thing about hockey, but when you grew up with it, as Dave did, it becomes second nature.
Ellis occasionally handles some play-by-play too. “I’ve taken over on women’s soccer and women’s basketball. Soccer mostly because Mark is in season with Negaunee football so he’s usually got a conflict, and women’s hoop to keep it fresh for both of us doing back to back games.”
Contract negotiations aside, as long as TV6/FOX UP continue the broadcasts, we’ll probably get more opportunities to enjoy the work of Evans and Ellis. I know Rhoades likes his stations repping the U.P. and he credits the athletic departments from both schools for helping make it happen.
Better Late Than Never
Though there are still games to be played, the planned broadcast schedule is about to come to an end. Tomorrow’s basketball games at Michigan Tech might be the last time we get to hear the Evans & Ellis team in action this year, unless there are home playoff games in the picture, which is a real possibility. Tip-off for the women’s game tomorrow is 1pm, followed by the men, both on FOX UP.
Good Sports
While we’re talking about Northern sports, for those who haven’t been following that closely… the men have a darn good basketball team. They’re currently 19-6, which includes a program record 13 game winning streak. This follows last season which saw them win a school record 25 games en route to their first GLIAC Tournament title and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2000.
Coach Matt Majkrzak, or, Coach Matt for the easily tongue-tied, is in his 5th season on the bench, and his program has seen steady improvement each year. They’ve got a couple more home contests on the schedule, and, along with the women’s team at 15-7, provide some pretty good action. And they might also be in line to host some playoff games at the Berry. There’s still room on the bandwagon for anyone who cares to support the Green and Gold.
Find more information about Northern sports and schedules at NMU Wildcats.
Ten More Years for Tara
It was just about a month ago when an automobile accident claimed the life of 906 Adventure Team Coordinator, Tara Gluski. I knew Tara only through her work with the Marquette Presque Isle Park Advisory Committee, but that is just one way she served our community.
I’ve written previously about the value of what the 906 Adventure Team brings to our area and its youth, and though they’ve lost a key member of their team, they’re dedicated to continuing the work in honor of Tara and her commitment to the mission.
On their own ten-year anniversary, they’re calling it “Ten more years for Tara,” and with that, 906 Adventure Team Director Todd Poquette is reaching out to those who share their vision with opportunities to volunteer and financially contribute to the organization. If you’d like to find out how you can join the celebration of Tara’s work, you can do so at 906 Adventure Team.