From left to right: Samaki Walker, Adrian Griffin, Matt Park, Eric Snow, Casey Jacobsen and Dave Ryan
Voice of the Orange Hosts “Sportscaster U.”
7/17/2008 11:00:43 AM | General
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse University’s Voice of the Orange Matt Park and ESPN’s Dave Ryan came together this week to host a three-day camp introducing sportscasting basics to four former and current NBA players at the university’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. The participating players included Oklahoma City’s Adrian Griffin, Casey Jacobsen of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Eric Snow and former NBA performer Samaki Walker.
The National Basketball Players Association, who also orchestrates business programs at Stanford and Northwestern and an internship coaching program, brought the idea to Park and Ryan last fall and allowed them to create and run the entire camp. According to the NBPA, broadcasting is a popular field in which former players would like to get involved. Each of the programs is designed to enable players to better transition out of the league.
While many players have experience as guests on studio shows, most do not know the ins and outs of broadcasting as a career. The camp was designed to give them a feel for the field as an everyday job.
“Until you experience it, you never know if you really love it or if it could be a career,” said Casey Jacobsen. “This is the best program I’ve been to that gave me that experience.”
The camp began Sunday afternoon with a trip to Alliance Bank Stadium and the players’ first taping experience. The camp curriculum allowed the players to gain experience in network-style broadcasting, to serve as analysts on a television pre-game show and as color analysts on television and radio play-by-play broadcasts.
“We were privileged to work with the NBPA in getting this project off the ground,” said Park. “With the national reputations of the Newhouse School and Syracuse University Athletics, this campus offered a combination none other can. We’ve been fortunate to have an unparalleled list of successful alums and Sportscaster U. can now aid professional athletes in their transition to another career.”
Guest speakers at the camp included Newhouse Dean Lorraine Branham and Syracuse alum Laurie Orlando, ESPN’s senior vice president for talent development.
Syracuse Softball Highlights vs. Florida State 3/13/26
Saturday, March 14
Highlights | Women's Lacrosse at #4 Northwestern
Friday, March 13
Regy Thorpe Postgame Press Conference vs. #4 Northwestern
Friday, March 13
Press Conference | Men's Lacrosse at Air Force
Friday, March 13
