University of North Texas Athletics
Green Gang: Legends On The Field And In The Booth
10/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Return to Play
By Hank Dickenson, October 4, 2009, 7:55 a.m.
One of the biggest positives for those of us living in the north Texas region is the fact that we reside in one of the absolute best sports markets in the nation. To take it a step further, we also enjoy some of the best sports-casting in the country. Think of the people who bring us the games in the D/FW market and the roll call is littered with the best and most talented play by play and color commentators around.
I have been fortunate to work with one of them for going on 20 years in George Dunham. While he is known more for the prominent and successful role he has played in the "The Ticket's" unparalleled success as a morning sports talk show, George is also a very gifted play by play man. And, he honed his craft here at North Texas as an RTVF major who was exposed early on to the teachings of the legendary Bill Mercer.
Mercer, a member of the NT Athletic Hall of Fame, broadcast hundreds of Mean Green games while also calling play by play for the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs for major league baseball, the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League and, of course, as the voice of the Sportatorium and a favorite of wrestling fans everywhere.
Bill stepped down from teaching his broadcast play by play course a few years ago, tired of making the evening drive back and forth to his then home in Richardson. But, before he stepped down from that role, he took me to lunch and handed me his notes from the course. "Here, you should teach the course., " he said. "You know broadcast play by play and all the right folks who could come and be guest speakers." I was honored and a bit overwhelmed, but I accepted. And I can hear a bunch of people quoting the old adage, "Those who can't do, teach."
Now, keep in mind, I don't put myself in the lofty air of the broadcasters of the area. Not by a loooong stretch. But, radio broadcasting remains a passion for me and Mean Green fans have done a great job of putting up with me during a ton of broadcasts over the years. I always work at improving and take it seriously, and if I have gotten better over the years, teaching this class has certainly exposed me to great ideas and methods towards that end.
Bill Mercer's legacy, and the fortunate contacts I have made over the years, have produced the following guest lecturers in the last three semesters: Doug Anderson* - TXA 21, Dave Barnett* - ESPN and Texas Rangers, Chuck Cooperstien - Dallas Mavericks radio, Mark Followill*- Dallas Mavericks TV - Scott Garner, Frisco Roughriders, Dandy Killeen*, TV 11, Babe Laufenberg - TV 11 and Dallas Cowboys Network, Brad Sham - Dallas Cowboys Network, Ralph Strangis- Dallas Stars, Craig Way* - Texas Longhorn Network, and of course, Steven Bartolotta* and the aforementioned Mr. Dunham* from the MGRN. Those with a * by their name learned broadcasting here at North Texas.
In closing, I am not sure who is luckier. The kids in the Broadcast 3330 class get terrific insights from the best in the business. Sports fans in the D/FW area get to hear some of the best play by play anywhere from a variety of sources. And, Mean Green fans can lay claim to most of the talent. Now that's a tradition we ought to talk about more around here!
