EP 077: John Focke, Minnesota Lynx

In this episode I chat with John Focke, the voice of the Minnesota Lynx and Executive Producer of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Topics of discussion include:

• What it meant to win the NSMA Sportscaster of the Year in the state of Minnesota.
• Where does he keep his plaque?
• Why a Bulls vs Pistons Eastern Conference Finals game led to him deciding to become a broadcaster.
• Doing play-by-play of his brothers high school games while filming for the team.
• With the Super Bowl in Minneapolis last year, he describes what it’s like on radio row.
• The decision to go to THEY Ohio University.
• Getting his first job out of college in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
• The somewhat difficult process of finding a job after college.
• Trying to make a small high school broadcast sound big.
• Spending one year as the voice of Northern Michigan hockey and volleyball.
• Why he enjoyed life in the Upper Peninsula.
• Getting back to the Twin Cities and working with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
• The Twin Cities PD that is his career angel.
• Keeping his play-by-play skills sharp while working as a producer.
• Does producing for an NBA broadcaster rub off on his own personal style?
• Getting fill in opportunities for the Timberwolves.
• How a dial up internet connection and a really old printer made creating boards for his first NBA game a challenge.
• Why not staying up late and prepping can actually make for a better broadcast.
• The process of taking over the Lynx job.
• What makes a good radio producer.
• Using actualities in a play-by-play broadcast.
• The unique challenges of calling women’s sports.
• The ability to get to know a WNBA team far better than if it were an NBA team.
• His social media strategy and how it has become a part of the broadcast industry.
• His brief flirtation with comedic acting.
• His broadcast horror story from the world’s most famous arena.
• His preparation process.
• How preparation is layered over time.
• Covering a national game of the week vs following one team.
• His favorite broadcasters to listen to on an off day.
• At what point does using creative phrases become a detriment to the broadcast?

And much more!

Never miss a new SayTheDamnScore.com post by signing up for email updates

Get expert feedback on your play-by-play from the SayTheDamnScore Critique Crew!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS