First off, I am way behind on updating this. Its turning into a nutty November - but enough on that.
Brian can do a better job explaining the game but here are some observations:
When Brian and I arrived in the Press Box Saturday, the first thing I noticed was - Lasagna, with bread and salad. It was perfect except for the absence of a paired wine!
One question - Why are so many people from Roseburg in Section 23? Odd.
While in the Lasgna line, an old friend from Portland spotted me. Had not seen him in nearly 20 years. He runs a media company and as it turns out, was part of the crew running Duck Vision at the game (the big screen). Very happy to see him again.
Brian put on some kind of women's gloves with 13:07 left in the 4th. Someone in the office let him borrow them (who borrows gloves.....??). They are uh stylish....uh yea Brian keep trying.
People began to leave in droves with 7:48 left in the 4th. Apparently a big winning margin and the extreme cold was getting to them. It was warmer in the press box, but still a bit chilly.
Brian chatted with the ASU mascot right before the end of the game. Should have got a picture of that. The Sun Devil is a weird looking dude. (or dudette!)
After the game we chatted with players and other media folks. I don' t think we got into the car until close to midnight.
Lots of folks peeled off at Cottage Grove for snacks. Brian had an AMP and Wheat Thins! Weird combo.
By the way, you never know who you will see at the snack stop in Cottage Grove. Several Roseburg folks, including one I won't name because he has the power to get me arrested or charged. (!!)
Walked in the house at 1:15am. Enjoyed a glass of the wine that I should have had with dinner, and called it a night.
Now - we wait for the Civil War!! GO DUCKS!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Oregon/USC
Wow what do you say about the Ducks incredible win over legendary USC!
Some notes from our time at Autzen:
While it may not rain at Autzen Stadium the parking lot is another matter. It took us 30 minutes longer than normal to actually get in the parking area. Our parking pass didn't help as the lots we could be in were full 2 hours before game time. (I told Brian we should have left sooner...) Given the rain and getting soaked, we bagged trying to find our KQEN listeners who had offered to let us stop by (they were pretty spread out....and we would have gotten wetter....whimps..) - but we did stumble across a few Roseburg folks on the way in anyway.
Upon entering the stadium we saw Basketball Coach Ernie Kent who saw Brian and greeted us. Looked like he had some recruits hanging out with him. We stopped by the Mo Center and watched ESPN radio for a bit and then headed for the press box. The ESPN TV crew actually had security shadowing them the whole game. That was a bit of a suprise. Brian ran into one of the ESPN TV guys during a break and greeted him.
I brought a decibel meter with me and saw a peak of 107 decibels from the pressbox and 106 from the turf. I think the best place to measure was probably the middle of the stands but wasn't able to do that. I see ESPN shows it high on their meter. Anyway you look at it, it was very loud and USC botched some starts due to the noise.
The media is normally allowed on the field the last four minutes, but given the atmosphere and the big victory, we were able to go down sooner. It became clear that security was ready for students to storm the field - and equally clear that there was NO way the kids would be stopped. Brian and I braced ourselves for the end of the game. The Oregon Duck stopped by and greeted us and I think Brian got a good picture of him. When the game ended, it took 5 seconds for the field to be stormed and filled with kids (and adults). I grabbed my mic and recording gear and hug on for dear life. I would bet there were a couple thousand people on the field - maybe more. I talked to a few kids and got audio, though it was soo loud, I doubt much of it will make the radio. then I spotted the KVAL TV guys with LaMichael James and got my mic up close. So many people were trying to get there, that at one point I was a bit nervous. Tom Ward from KVAL told me later he was trying to keep the crowds from bumping the camera. John Canzano from the Oregonian agreed that it seemed like the WHO concert. It was sooo tight in there it was way intense! I nearly lost my equipment bag at one point but made my way towards the tunnel after seeing a couple other players. Security was great and got me past the fans safely. Whew. By the tunnel I could breath again. Brian and I split up and got audio from as many people as we could. Eventually I settled in and watch some of Coach Kelly's radio interview, and noted a very happy Phil Knight from Nike, standing in the corner.
We headed out and began the long walk to the truck, and then endured the traffic for awhile before hitting I-5 and getting back to the Burg. When I got home and started looking at stats on-line I realized just how big a victory this was over USC. Incredible.
A fun day and one I will honestly never forget! Our apologies again for not making it to the tailgates. We are planning to do a better job with that - especially for Civil War.
Go DUCKS - and keep listening!
Some notes from our time at Autzen:
While it may not rain at Autzen Stadium the parking lot is another matter. It took us 30 minutes longer than normal to actually get in the parking area. Our parking pass didn't help as the lots we could be in were full 2 hours before game time. (I told Brian we should have left sooner...) Given the rain and getting soaked, we bagged trying to find our KQEN listeners who had offered to let us stop by (they were pretty spread out....and we would have gotten wetter....whimps..) - but we did stumble across a few Roseburg folks on the way in anyway.
Upon entering the stadium we saw Basketball Coach Ernie Kent who saw Brian and greeted us. Looked like he had some recruits hanging out with him. We stopped by the Mo Center and watched ESPN radio for a bit and then headed for the press box. The ESPN TV crew actually had security shadowing them the whole game. That was a bit of a suprise. Brian ran into one of the ESPN TV guys during a break and greeted him.
I brought a decibel meter with me and saw a peak of 107 decibels from the pressbox and 106 from the turf. I think the best place to measure was probably the middle of the stands but wasn't able to do that. I see ESPN shows it high on their meter. Anyway you look at it, it was very loud and USC botched some starts due to the noise.
The media is normally allowed on the field the last four minutes, but given the atmosphere and the big victory, we were able to go down sooner. It became clear that security was ready for students to storm the field - and equally clear that there was NO way the kids would be stopped. Brian and I braced ourselves for the end of the game. The Oregon Duck stopped by and greeted us and I think Brian got a good picture of him. When the game ended, it took 5 seconds for the field to be stormed and filled with kids (and adults). I grabbed my mic and recording gear and hug on for dear life. I would bet there were a couple thousand people on the field - maybe more. I talked to a few kids and got audio, though it was soo loud, I doubt much of it will make the radio. then I spotted the KVAL TV guys with LaMichael James and got my mic up close. So many people were trying to get there, that at one point I was a bit nervous. Tom Ward from KVAL told me later he was trying to keep the crowds from bumping the camera. John Canzano from the Oregonian agreed that it seemed like the WHO concert. It was sooo tight in there it was way intense! I nearly lost my equipment bag at one point but made my way towards the tunnel after seeing a couple other players. Security was great and got me past the fans safely. Whew. By the tunnel I could breath again. Brian and I split up and got audio from as many people as we could. Eventually I settled in and watch some of Coach Kelly's radio interview, and noted a very happy Phil Knight from Nike, standing in the corner.
We headed out and began the long walk to the truck, and then endured the traffic for awhile before hitting I-5 and getting back to the Burg. When I got home and started looking at stats on-line I realized just how big a victory this was over USC. Incredible.
A fun day and one I will honestly never forget! Our apologies again for not making it to the tailgates. We are planning to do a better job with that - especially for Civil War.
Go DUCKS - and keep listening!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Truth About The Autzen Experiment
First you need to read Brian's blog. I will wait while you click over there
("Jeopardy" theme running in background while you check his story)
Ok you are back. Now the actual truth:
Brian came in to my office asking about which one of us should drive this time to the game (he is the one with the parking pass too because he is the Duck Baseball guy along with Jerry Allen. I am just, well not...) By the way its his turn to drive.
While ESPN TV is coming early in the morning, ESPN Radio will be there for hours in the Mo Center. Being radio guys, they are more interesting to us anyway. (why watch something you can listen to!). So we were plotting out when to show up when Brian mentioned tailgating.
He suggested we find a way to find some Duck fans from the Burg who are KQEN listeners, to track down. Sounded like a good plan to me. I always like meeting and connecting with listeners. Its one of the reasons I like to emcee Riverbend Live, Wine Festivals and other community events. We value listeners and I think making a personal connection is a great way to do it. So I started working on some produced promos to talk about it and ask for people to email us so we can stop by and meet them and hang out at their tailgate.
Brian has a long term repuation in our industry for liking free food. People in Seattle still talk about it from his days at KIRO Radio. I know the Mariners always plied him with lots of hot dogs and drinks so that he would pay attention and report the games properly. So it was no suprise that Brian seized on the aspect of - free food - when we met KQEN listeners - as his compelling motivation for the promotion. I don't tend to eat much at games, and well you can't swig down too much pop at games or you will be in a very long line to the restroom, possibly missing half a quarter of action. (No wine in the press box btw). At my first game this season, Brian had 9 glasses of Pepsi!
So - email us - kqen@bciradio.com, and invite us to stop by your tailgate party at Autzen. We will enjoy meeting you and someone may get a shot at doing something special as part of the fun. Yes, I will be happy to munch on some steak, enjoy an 07 Pinot Noir with you, or perhaps partake in some delectable cheesecake. But my motivation is to bond with you the listener and just stop by and have a bit of fun. Plus we will put pics from our tailgating up on the web on Monday too.
So please let us know where you will be and we will be happy to meet you. Since Brian's doctor has placed him on a restricted diet, hopefully he will not make too much of a fool of himself when it comes to the eating aspect of this otherwise noble and dignified station promotion.
("Jeopardy" theme running in background while you check his story)
Ok you are back. Now the actual truth:
Brian came in to my office asking about which one of us should drive this time to the game (he is the one with the parking pass too because he is the Duck Baseball guy along with Jerry Allen. I am just, well not...) By the way its his turn to drive.
While ESPN TV is coming early in the morning, ESPN Radio will be there for hours in the Mo Center. Being radio guys, they are more interesting to us anyway. (why watch something you can listen to!). So we were plotting out when to show up when Brian mentioned tailgating.
He suggested we find a way to find some Duck fans from the Burg who are KQEN listeners, to track down. Sounded like a good plan to me. I always like meeting and connecting with listeners. Its one of the reasons I like to emcee Riverbend Live, Wine Festivals and other community events. We value listeners and I think making a personal connection is a great way to do it. So I started working on some produced promos to talk about it and ask for people to email us so we can stop by and meet them and hang out at their tailgate.
Brian has a long term repuation in our industry for liking free food. People in Seattle still talk about it from his days at KIRO Radio. I know the Mariners always plied him with lots of hot dogs and drinks so that he would pay attention and report the games properly. So it was no suprise that Brian seized on the aspect of - free food - when we met KQEN listeners - as his compelling motivation for the promotion. I don't tend to eat much at games, and well you can't swig down too much pop at games or you will be in a very long line to the restroom, possibly missing half a quarter of action. (No wine in the press box btw). At my first game this season, Brian had 9 glasses of Pepsi!
So - email us - kqen@bciradio.com, and invite us to stop by your tailgate party at Autzen. We will enjoy meeting you and someone may get a shot at doing something special as part of the fun. Yes, I will be happy to munch on some steak, enjoy an 07 Pinot Noir with you, or perhaps partake in some delectable cheesecake. But my motivation is to bond with you the listener and just stop by and have a bit of fun. Plus we will put pics from our tailgating up on the web on Monday too.
So please let us know where you will be and we will be happy to meet you. Since Brian's doctor has placed him on a restricted diet, hopefully he will not make too much of a fool of himself when it comes to the eating aspect of this otherwise noble and dignified station promotion.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Corrigated What ? and other Live Radio bloopers
Well the Morning Report was humming along with morning until - somewhere around 8:13, Bob had a blooper.....A story about the price of Corrigated Boxes being down - and that causing the Millersburg Paper Plant near Albany to closed. Except Bob sort of said..."corrigated boxers"...
Now you should know that Brian is in the main KQEN studio, while Bob and I are in the second studio. We can't see each other, but we use instant messaging to communicate. When Bob had the blooper, I sort of smiled but was busy concentrating and didn't think much ab0ut it. But when Brian started typing some tasteful but hilarious wise-cracks during my next story, I had to work hard to "hang on" and maintain focus. We got into the break just fine and Brian took off with his sports cast.
Bob and I had a few minutes off air, so we had pretty much recovered. Until right before the weather forecast, when Brian typed another wisecrack, and I started to fall apart. Bob got part way through the weather and then lost it. Brian came on air and saved the day. I turned our mics off and died into a heap of laughter. After a few minutes we were fine.
Now professional news people are supposed to be able to "keep it together" and we usually do. Every once in awhile though - some things are just too funny. Hopefully you hear "real people" behind the mics.
Now Bob - about that investigative reporting trip to the Cardboard plant...................
Now you should know that Brian is in the main KQEN studio, while Bob and I are in the second studio. We can't see each other, but we use instant messaging to communicate. When Bob had the blooper, I sort of smiled but was busy concentrating and didn't think much ab0ut it. But when Brian started typing some tasteful but hilarious wise-cracks during my next story, I had to work hard to "hang on" and maintain focus. We got into the break just fine and Brian took off with his sports cast.
Bob and I had a few minutes off air, so we had pretty much recovered. Until right before the weather forecast, when Brian typed another wisecrack, and I started to fall apart. Bob got part way through the weather and then lost it. Brian came on air and saved the day. I turned our mics off and died into a heap of laughter. After a few minutes we were fine.
Now professional news people are supposed to be able to "keep it together" and we usually do. Every once in awhile though - some things are just too funny. Hopefully you hear "real people" behind the mics.
Now Bob - about that investigative reporting trip to the Cardboard plant...................
Monday, October 19, 2009
Fall
Without Duck games for a couple Saturdays, I am behind updating this!
Fall is obviously here. Finally some rain (though I am still not a fan of rain..), and cooler temperatures. Fall sports for kids (explaining all the mileage on the mini van) and - did I just produce a commercial with Christmas music in it?? (yes....!).
Flu is sure the hot topic of the moment. Having a High Schooler home sick today with something else, brings the issue closer to home. Guess its time we all got shots! (no I am NOT suggesting a live feature on Inside Douglas County....or am I?)
Bike riding now appears on the back burner, though I am watching for dry days to ride. So far, dry weather and a busy schedule have not allowed a ride.
This Saturday Dave Ramsey is in Portland and we are giving away passes for listeners to attend, so keep listening.
Fall is obviously here. Finally some rain (though I am still not a fan of rain..), and cooler temperatures. Fall sports for kids (explaining all the mileage on the mini van) and - did I just produce a commercial with Christmas music in it?? (yes....!).
Flu is sure the hot topic of the moment. Having a High Schooler home sick today with something else, brings the issue closer to home. Guess its time we all got shots! (no I am NOT suggesting a live feature on Inside Douglas County....or am I?)
Bike riding now appears on the back burner, though I am watching for dry days to ride. So far, dry weather and a busy schedule have not allowed a ride.
This Saturday Dave Ramsey is in Portland and we are giving away passes for listeners to attend, so keep listening.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Another Duck Blog
Wow...quite a blowout in Eugene Saturday night. Again Brian Prawitz and I dutifully manned the pressbox representing Roseburg! Some notes:
Number of times Brian got Pepsi - lost count
Susan - a friend from Eugene was selling ice cream with her daughter (their sports team gets money that way) - ice cream sales not high in this weather!
Horizon Air plane flyover with the Duck Plane just before kickoff - wow!
At 3:24 left in the first I took the last cookie from the press buffet table
My original prediction 34-7 (ooops!)
I like the way the Ducks hightlight other sports during football games - glad to see the Cross Country program honored today!
9:23 in the 2nd - smoke from the east - we never did figure out where it came from.
In the 2nd half -Brian had 2 apple bars and coffee
Kyle had one ( minding the diet...sort of)
On the field after the game, Brian and I almost stepped on the tail of the WSU Mascot...really it was an accident(!)
Final Score 52-6 What a nice night for the backup guys to get some good playing time.
Uniforms - Gary Stevens in section 23 called it the Bumblebee look - seemed to go over well with the crowd.
Everyone pretty happy in the locker room obviously!
With 2 games on the road and a bye week, we are not back until the USC game on Halloween night. Now why do I think this will be a giant Eugene block party!
Go Ducks!
Number of times Brian got Pepsi - lost count
Susan - a friend from Eugene was selling ice cream with her daughter (their sports team gets money that way) - ice cream sales not high in this weather!
Horizon Air plane flyover with the Duck Plane just before kickoff - wow!
At 3:24 left in the first I took the last cookie from the press buffet table
My original prediction 34-7 (ooops!)
I like the way the Ducks hightlight other sports during football games - glad to see the Cross Country program honored today!
9:23 in the 2nd - smoke from the east - we never did figure out where it came from.
In the 2nd half -Brian had 2 apple bars and coffee
Kyle had one ( minding the diet...sort of)
On the field after the game, Brian and I almost stepped on the tail of the WSU Mascot...really it was an accident(!)
Final Score 52-6 What a nice night for the backup guys to get some good playing time.
Uniforms - Gary Stevens in section 23 called it the Bumblebee look - seemed to go over well with the crowd.
Everyone pretty happy in the locker room obviously!
With 2 games on the road and a bye week, we are not back until the USC game on Halloween night. Now why do I think this will be a giant Eugene block party!
Go Ducks!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Ducks!
Wow. Unless you have been in a cave east of Tiller, you know the Oregon Ducks played one of their best games in years today - routing the number 6 team Cal - 42-3.
Again this week Brian Prawitz and I sat in the midst of the press box to catch all the action.
Some random notes:
Cals only score - 5:55 left in the first, and only a FG that shouldn't have gone in.
Brian's Pepsi spilled with 6 min left in the first
Brian went back to get more Pepsi - 5 times. (and had less trips to the restroom than last week....oh never mind)
Brian tried to go in the wrong restroom with 5:43 in the 2nd ( don't ask....)
The Oriental chicken and rice was awesome today in the Press Box. (no they don't serve wine..)
Cal Mascot (a bear of course) looks really sad - (even without the huge loss). I hope he doesn't have to wear the costume on the plane home. Its pretty second rate...like a bad church drama program.
Its a long walk back up the "hill" from visting friends in row two of section 28. Was thankful for the Press Elevator
The crowd was so jazzed by the score that the "WAVE" started at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
I went back for popcorn three times
Highlight - being on the field at the end and in the Duck locker room, as Brian talked to a few of the players. A distinguished looking guy was in the room too but I couldn't place him - Phil Knight sound familiar?
It doesn't get any better than today
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