Questions and Answers with Chris Collins

By Mike Klingshirn

Chris Collins (left) and Jon Ramey

This upcoming season marks the fifteenth year for Chris Collins as the play-by play radio announcer for Wright State University athletics. His career with the Raiders began with the 1997-98 season, the same year that Ed Schilling became the men’s basketball head coach. He was teamed with Jon Ramey during his first eight seasons behind the microphone, and lately has been partnered with a variety of former players. Collins, who has become a popular figure among Raider fans, recently sat down with RaiderRoundball.com to share his experience, thoughts, and perspective about many issues as they relate to Wright State sports and the radio broadcasts.

Q: How did you become involved in the radio business, and eventually the play-by-play announcer for Wright State athletics?

A: I first became involved in radio back in 1979, working at three different radio stations in Ohio, beginning in Kenton. I also spent some time in North Carolina before returning to Ohio in 1987.

While working at Mix 107.7 and 980 WONE, I became Lyle Steig’s producer for his sports show on WONE in 1994. I was also broadcasting high school football on radio and cable television.

It was 1996 when Tom Michaels, the play-by-play broadcaster for Wright State basketball, asked me to help him call a few of the WSU women’s games on Continental Cablevision. There was one game that he couldn’t make it, so I ended up doing the game without a partner. Mike Cusack (WSU AD) happened to be at the game, and at halftime asked, “Do you mind me helping you out?” I didn’t know him that well at the time, and said, “Sure.” He came over and we finished the game together.

Bob Noss (WSU sports information director) then contacted me a few months later, and asked if I had any interest in doing the radio play-by-play for Wright State.  I furiously put an audition tape together. I had broadcast high school sports for about 10 years. I found a tape from an Ohio regional basketball final, held at Anderson Arena at Bowling Green State University between the Upper Scioto Valley Rams and Kalida. I edited it and sent it to Bob Noss. After about a month, they offered me the job.  I was excited about the prospect of doing college basketball.

It was the first year for head coach Ed Schilling, and there was an early preseason gathering to meet him. I was there also. They introduced me to the fans. I was so nervous. The event was held in one of the Berry rooms. I looked out over the crowd and saw the sea of green and gold, and they’re all kind of looking at me. Once the event concluded, members of the “Raider Nation” welcomed me to WSU.

As a few weeks passed, I wondered who was going to be working with me on the broadcasts. They decided upon former Raider players, Jon Ramey and Eric Ellis. The plan was to have them split games, but Jon did the bulk of them — about seventy-five percent. Eric did a game or two the following year. However, due to his commitment to his primary business, he had to leave the microphone. Jon became the lone analyst in 1999.

Q: What is your favorite part of being the voice of the Raiders?

A: Having the opportunity to do what I enjoy. You’ve got to have passion to be successful at anything. I’ve been a radio broadcaster for about 28 years, and there are times that it can be a grind.  However, I really enjoy it and I’m sure glad to have the opportunity.

I also like being around the student-athletes. It’s very gratifying to see them grow over their four years. The University and the alumni base should be very proud of the way that they have represented WSU on and off the court.

Q: Tell us about your first WSU game broadcast. What do you remember most about it?

A: It was a preseason game against a European team. That was challenging because of the names of the European players. That was interesting!

My first (regular season) game was at Central Michigan. I didn’t know what to expect. That was the first time that I had ever traveled with a team. It was really exciting. It was fun to be with them, and be a part of the travel party and see what a Division 1 team goes through on a road trip.

The game itself was a lot of fun to broadcast. I was more of a homer than I thought I’d ever be, because you’re around the team and you like to see them win. There was a lot expected of this squad, and a lot going on at the time, because one player, Marvin Rodgers, was in the news. Marvin had a good game, scoring in double figures. Keion Brooks and Thad Burton also had a good night, and Wright State won.

Going home, I’ll never forget … coming out of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, it was snowing outside, and there was a lot of excitement on the bus. The players had their radios, tapes, and CDs playing really loud, and getting “Jiggy” with it (a Will Smith hit song at the time). During the five and a half to six hour bus ride home, I thought, “This is great. I’m broadcasting college basketball.” As the year went on, I got to know a little bit more about broadcasting college hoops.

Q: Basketball is a sport that moves very quickly. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to accurately communicate the action over the radio. What is the most difficult aspect of calling a college basketball game?

A: For me, it’s the broadcast location. For the most part, I’m lucky to be sitting courtside. Over the years, we’ve been sitting next to our team. Unfortunately, at times, the coaches are walking right in front of us. That makes it difficult because we can’t see the floor.  There are times when I have to be honest with listeners and tell them “I didn’t see it.”

I’ve been told the coaches can hear our broadcast. In fact, during my first year, Jon and I were calling the WSU game at Milwaukee. The Panthers were not a very good team that season. A few of the Raiders told us after the game that they could hear our call because the arena only had a few hundred people in the seats at what is now called U.S. Cellular Arena. Come to think of it, that’s the last time WSU won a game in Milwaukee.

Q: How do you prepare for Wright State basketball radio broadcasts?

A: I use a computer now. However, during my initial season, I used a large tablet, where I wrote out a score sheet with information about each player – their statistics, where they are from, and the type of things that you would see in a program. I would try to commit a lot of that to memory. I had to keep score at that time, because we didn’t have stat monitors or sports information workers bringing us the updated box scores.

Before each game, I study each roster, all information about the players, and try to commit as much as possible to memory, because during the game, I don’t have time to refer to it. The game moves so quickly. So if you’re not prepared and don’t have some idea about the players and what they can do, you’re going to be lost. Over the years, I have received the cooperation from the assistant coaches at Wright State with scouting reports. They share that with us before the game or the day before. The sports information directors from both teams are also readily available to help us out.

Q: What is game-day like for you?

A: Away from home, I am on the same schedule as the team. When there is down time, I take advantage to go to the team shoot-around.

When the Raiders play at the Nutter Center, I do all of my work at home. I arrive at the game two hours beforehand, and go through my normal routine. I’m a creature of habit. I run through a mental checklist of what I need to do. I set up all of my equipment and make sure that it works. There have been some technical problems over the years, but by arriving early, we have been able to avert some problems. Then, I’ll go over my notes again and try to commit as much of it to memory as I can.

Q: You haven’t had a regular color analyst working side by side with you for a few years. What is it like working with rotating color analysts every game versus having the same broadcast partner for the entire season?

A: I’ve learned a lot of basketball from Bob Grote, Mark Vest, Eric Ellis, Chris Wampler, Jon Ramey, and this past year from some players who have recently graduated – John David Gardner, Ronnie Thomas, Drew Burleson, Braden Bushman, and the list goes on and on. But, in my opinion, you really need to work with somebody on a regular basis to formulate good chemistry during a broadcast. They’ve done well. I appreciate all of them for volunteering their time because it’s very helpful.

Q: On occasional road games, you haven’t had a color analyst make the trip. What is it like to do a game by yourself?

A: In one word — challenging. I talk to other announcers. They say that it’s also difficult for them. This is probably due to budgetary reasons. I understand that. However, in my opinion, it is a better broadcast if you have a color analyst.

I feel confident in terms of calling the play-by-play of a game, but it can be challenging because the game moves so fast. In the past few years I’ve had to call quite a few games myself. What’s frustrating is that I don’t want to cheat the fans. I want to be able to tell them everything that is going on. Calling the play-by-play, I need to know who’s on the floor, if there is a run going on, etc. We do the best that we can with what we have available. If it were a perfect world, I’d like to have a color analyst.

Q: When broadcasting on the road, what college and/or city do you enjoy visiting the most?

A: I’ll make this clear. I enjoy going to warm-weather cities during the wintertime. Any one of those is fine with me. We’ve been to Texas, Florida, California, Arizona and Puerto Rico. This is an interesting question. It makes me think about how many states I’ve visited over the years broadcasting WSU hoops – the east coast, up and down the Atlantic coast, throughout middle-America, and Colorado.

However, I know that it’s cold, but I really enjoy visiting Chicago most. It’s a great town. Anybody that has been there knows that it’s a fun city!

Q: You’ve been play-by-play announcer over the tenure of four different Wright State head coaches. What are your impressions of each of them?

A: Ed Schilling – Ed is a good man that wanted to do well. He is very gracious. Any time that I needed something, he would be there. The issues during that first year, especially with Marvin Rodgers, were difficult. I never had a problem with Ed. He was always very good to me. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for him, but I’m glad to hear that his high school team in Indiana won a state championship last year.

Paul Biancardi – Paul worked at WSU for three years, and from day one, I had a very good relationship with him. To this day, we’re still friends. I’ll talk with him a few times during the year. He now works with ESPN.com and really enjoys it. It’s unfortunate what happened at Wright State. We had no idea about the situation at Ohio State that he was caught up in with his former coach Jim O’Brien.

To this day, I’m always going to have so much respect for him because of it. Not once, did he show any frustration and have it take away from his job. To observe him in practice, to watch him do his job, with this on his mind, I was truly amazed. I told him, “I can’t believe that you can still do your job to the best of the ability with these outside distractions.” Let’s face it. Once it came out, other schools used it to recruit against Coach Biancardi by saying “He won’t be there (WSU) long.” But Paul never let that be an excuse. It would have been interesting to see what he could have accomplished.

One thing that Paul always told me was that he loved it here. He wanted to stay in the Dayton-area. He loved being the head coach at Wright State University.

Brad Brownell – The record speaks for itself. I didn’t have the pleasure to broadcast games when Ralph Underhill was here, so I can only speak about the past 15 years. Coach Brownell is one of the best coaches that I’ve ever been around, including opposing coaches. His ability to break down a game and make adjustments during a contest sets him apart from other coaches.  He’s no-nonsense and has a clear direction about what he wants to accomplish. He places high expectations on his student-athletes. He is one of the hardest working individuals that I have ever been around. He’s extremely competitive.

He is just an outstanding coach and leader. I’m happy to hear about his success at Clemson University. I’m not surprised. Wright State was very lucky to get somebody like Brad Brownell because he really enhanced the basketball program at a time when it needed it.

Billy Donlon – I think that his greatest strength is his ability to relate to his student-athletes.

I just told you that Brad was competitive. Well, maybe Billy might be a little bit more. During the 2006-07 season before the Raiders went to the tournament (NCAA) in Buffalo, there was a practice that Coach Donlon and DaShaun Wood went head-to-head in a scrimmage game. The team needed somebody on the floor to make 10 players, so Billy joined in. It got down to DaShaun against Billy. They matched each other shot for shot and were trash-talking. It appeared that they weren’t kidding. DaShaun finally hit the final shot at the end to win the scrimmage, and he shouted at Coach Donlon. Billy looked at him, turned his back, and walked away in the Setzer Pavilion. DaShaun kept barking at him, and Billy kept walking away…apparently not giving in to the taunts of the Raider guard.

Billy loves Wright State and we’re lucky to have him here as the leader of the basketball team.

Q: What were some of your most memorable moments in WSU sports?

A: It’s the championships. The Horizon League men’s basketball championship in 2007 is one. Also, being able to broadcast the 2006 NCAA baseball tournament, where the Raiders nearly knocked-off that Oregon State team which went on to win the first of two back-to-back College World Series titles. And who can forget the win at the Nutter Center over the eventual national men’s basketball champions — the Michigan State Spartans?

Q: What was your favorite all-time Raider basketball team?

A: The 2007 team — not only because they won the championship, but because they were able to adjust to a brand new coach. They struggled early. They bonded together. That team was a joy to be around and witness they’re accomplishments.

Q: Do you have a favorite all-time Wright State player?

A: Wow, I’ve thought about jotting down all of the players. For me, it’s a little different because I know most them personally and realize that I’ll leave somebody out. I look at the statistical information that we get every year and I realize that Bill Edwards is in a league of his own. Nobody comes close to what he has accomplished, but I never had the pleasure to see him play, so I can only base my answer on the people that I have seen play.

Number one on my list is DaShaun Wood. He’s a tough competitor who wanted to win in the worst way. He was so proud when he graduated in four years. Before he made his name change to DaShaun Wood, I was in the athletic office in September, after he had his first class assignment. He went back to talk to assistant coach Larry Greer. He was just beaming because he got an “A”. He was so excited.

This is a difficult question. There have just been some outstanding players. Vernard Hollins has to be on that list. Vaughn Duggins comes to mind. You’ve got to mention Keion Brooks. Thad Burton …the one year that I saw him play, he was just a beast on the boards. There have been numerous players that I hold the utmost respect for — guys like Tyson Freeman, John David Gardner, Cooper Land, Troy Tabler, Cory Cooperwood, Steve Yeagle, Mark Starkey, and many others over the past 15 years! All have treated me with respect…and for that I am grateful.

Q: What would you most like to experience as announcer of Raider athletics before you career is over?

A: Having the opportunity to broadcast championships and experience the NCAA tournament on a consistent basis.

Q: Is there anything else that you’d like to say to Raider fans?

A: I just want to say how much of a pleasure it has been to do the play-by-play for Wright State basketball. It’s been a great experience. This is Division I college basketball. I never take for granted my responsibility to the fans.  The opportunity to deal with some very good coaches, to be around some great student-athletes, to see them when they come back, to see the pride – I don’t take that for granted. I want to thank the fans for their support. There have been times when this team has struggled and the fans would be there, not only at the games, but also at the coach’s radio shows. Having them be so supportive means a lot. I want to make sure that I credit them, because without them, you don’t have a program. It’s everybody who supports the Raider program. I’m very thankful and appreciative. I want to make sure to thank Dr. Cusack and Bob Noss for giving me the opportunity, and all of those who allow me to broadcast Wright State games. Go Raiders!

McCaffrey, Cooper and Hibberd Round Out Team and Departmental Awards

McCaffrey, Cooper and Hibberd Round Out Team and Departmental Awards

The final major departmental awards have now been awarded as men’s and women’s tennis coach Sean McCaffrey and baseball coach Rob Cooper were named the co-winners of the Terry Hall Coach of the Year Award while junior first baseman Jake Hibberd of the baseball team was named the Don Mohr Male Athlete of the Year. The other recipients were honored at last month’s Rowdies.

The men’s tennis team finished the year with a 17-10 mark, two wins better than last year when the program was honored with the nation’s best turnaround. WSU finished third in the Horizon League Championships by coming from behind to defeat UIC 4-3 in the deciding match. The women’s squad, meanwhile, finished 14-10, a vast improvement from two years ago when the Raiders posted a 3-18 mark. WSU went 9-13 last year.

Baseball became the only WSU team this year to advance to the NCAA Tournament by winning the Horizon League Tournament in late May. WSU finished the season at 36-19 and also won the Horizon League regular-season title for the second straight year. The 2011 Horizon League Coach of the Year, Cooper has an overall record of 224-179 in six seasons, which has led to three NCAA Tournament appearances.

It is the third Terry Hall Coach of the Year honor for Cooper (2005-06, 2009-10) and first for McCaffrey.

Hibberd, a native of Miamisburg, Ohio, was a key component of the baseball success. Named team MVP and the Horizon League Player of the Year, he won the league’s Triple Crown as he hit .407 with nine home runs and 56 RBI. Hibberd was recently named a Louisville Slugger Third Team All-American and was also selected as a Capital One Second Team Academic All-American by CoSIDA earlier this spring

2010-11 MVP and Raider Awards

2010-11 Departmental Awards