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used to that. And when they come here they give us their best."
Sportscaster U doesn't hand players post-playing career jobs, but it does set them up with the knowledge and tools to pursue a broadcasting career when their time in the NBA ends. Everyone has survived the "Game Plan," and for most it's quite the experi- ence. One that places them ahead of their peers when it comes to broadcast knowledge.
"It was an eye-opening experience," says Knight. "Nothing but a positive experience."
EARL BOYKINS WAS OUT of his comfort zone. He was doing some- thing different from basketball, something unfamiliar.
"Yeah, I was nervous the first time," says Boykins of his first broad- cast experience. "Whenever you do anything new you're always a little nervous."
The players make their livings and names on the court. And to establish themselves off of it, well, it takes some time for most.
"None of us like to fail," says Rich Rinaldi, NBPA career counselor. "But the first day there's a lot of nerves on the part of all the guys, no matter which one. It's like, 'Oh my God, the lights are on and I gotta deliver now.'"
Virtually every player comes into the program open to learning. Most come in thinking that they want to talk about sports, that they're bas- ketball experts. But they learn that the broadcast world is more than just jabbering about hoops.
"They think that when it comes time to talk about it, somebody puts a microphone in their face, puts the switch on, and they just go," says Park. "When they leave, they have a much deeper understanding of all the work that goes into it."
Still, most players won't be pros when the program is over. Not after just a few days.
"We don't pretend that they're going from zero to Emmy Award in three days," adds Park. "All we promise is that we're going to work their butt off, they're gonna get a little taste of everything and they're gonna leave wanting more. And that's what happens."
Some, like 2009 participant Shaquille O'Neal, are naturals. For others, it takes time. Each player is different. Their backgrounds, education levels and interests influence how well players pick up the tricks and trades of broadcasting.
"We've had a couple guys who were trying hard but it was pretty evident that it wasn't their thing," says Park. "And we've had a couple of others that have been absolutely natural and have a gift of gab and a smile and personality, and know the game."
For Boykins, success is all about putting the time in. Like anything else, he says, broadcasting is a matter of putting in the work. And
now, after going through the program, Boykins will consider broad- casting as an option when his career is over.
It's something he's interested in. That's why he participated, after all. But now he knows more than what he used to watch on television.
"I think it's a great opportunity," says Boykins. "I think the program is invaluable to anyone who's serious about pursuing it as a profession."
The program may take hard work and dedication, but not every moment during the four-day period has a business-like approach.
Boykins says he got the chance to know the guys in his class off the court, away from their usual competitive nature present during games. To get to know their personalities, he says, was interesting. Knight says that the opportunity to get to know the other players and talk for more than two minutes in a learning situation was almost like a fraternity outing.
Carter knew it would be intense, but being there with other players made it easier.
"We all felt the same coming in," says Carter. "How will I do on- camera? What if I mess up some- one's name? But we all help each other. It's not a competition."
FOR THE LAST 11 YEARS, Rinaldi has served as a career counselor for the NBPA. He gets players on a comfort level and answers career- related questions. He's a group liai- son between the players and, in this case, instructors for Sportscaster U.
Rinaldi has seen 27 players go through the program. He helps pre- pare them for the transition from life as a player to life in, as he puts it, "the real world."
"For them to get there, they're very serious about their life after basket- ball," says Rinaldi. "Where there's a
will there's a way, and these guys wanna do it and they're gonna get out there and find themselves a gig."
When Shaq couldn't make the program with the set dates in 2009, they tailored the program for him. He's the biggest name to grace the broadcast sets at Newhouse since the course's inception.
Rinaldi says he got involved with Sportscaster U four years ago. Before that, it was simply a program that Park and his co-workers at Newhouse had thought of but hadn't been put in play. That's when Rinaldi and the NBPA stepped in.
"Once they came in a few years ago," says Park, "we got it rolling and fine-tuned it over time to where we're pretty proud of it now."
That point – now – is where the program currently stands. Still a success, still bringing in NBA guys. Rinaldi helps oversee it, while Park and company teach it. Both continue to make a difference.
"They all admit when they leave," says Rinaldi, "that they'll never look at television again the way they looked at it before."
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