Know your broadcaster: Jerry Miller
October 22, 2008
This is the guy who provides clever insight after Barry McKnight tells you what happens.
1. How long have you been calling games (or sideline reporting) for Troy?
This is my 16th year. The first 11 were on the sidelines, it is my 5th as the color analyst.
2. How did you get the job with Troy?
In March of 1993 Troy was scheduled to play Delta State on Saturday in the NCAA South Regional basketball tournament final in Troy.
However, it actually snowed on that day and the game was postponed until Sunday. The regular color analyst Bob Daffin was not available
Sunday because of a business trip. Ralph Black called me to see if I could fill in. Even though I had never broadcast a game before, his
reasoning was that I followed the Trojans closely (which was true) and would at least be knowledgeable of the team (which remained to be seen). I did the game and everything went well. Troy won and advanced to the Elite Eight Finals in Springfield, Mass. Bob could not make that trip either so Ralph invited me to go. No way I could pass that up so I made the trip. We had some great games to broadcast in that tournament, (remember the New Hampshire shootout?), even though Troy came up just short of winning it all. In the Fall, the sideline reporter spot for football became available and it was offered to me. The rest is history.
3. What is your normal preparation for a game? How early in the week does it start?
It usually starts the day after the previous game. I will read newspaper articles online to get others’ take on the game. I especially like to
read columns from the opposing team’s papers to see what they have to say about the Trojans. I usually get Troy’s game notes, Sun Belt game notes and the upcoming opponent’s game notes at the weekly press conference hosted by our media relations department. This is also a good chance to speak to players and coaches if I have any questions for them. From there I will spend a little time each night looking at stats, looking at player bios, reading newspaper articles and trying to find some things that might be good to discuss on our broadcast. One of my responsibilities is to interview Coach Blakeney each week so I get a chance to speak with him as well before the game.
4. What made you get into this business? Or, if you’re, oh, a banker, what made you want to do this as a side job/hobby?
As you know, this is not my job. I enjoy my work as a banker and take my job very seriously. Anybody that know me knows that my job comes first. I am blessed that my employer lets me structure my vacation so I can travel with the team. For me, broadcasting Troy University games is not a job. Some play golf, some are hunters or engage in numerous other hobbies. I love sports, especially Trojan Sports, so this is how I spend my leisure time.
5. Best thing about calling Troy games
For me, it is getting the chance to be a part of Trojan athletics, up close and personal. As a fan first, that is a real treat. Traveling with the broadcast team and the entourage also provides a lot of entertainment, but I’ll save those stories for another day.
6. Most memorable on-air moment
There have been many, but it would probably be the game against Nebraska in 2001. Being on the sidelines in that venue with the historical significance of the game for Troy University is something I will never forget. Having been involved with the transition from
Division II to looking at the scoreboard and seeing Troy leading the mighty Cornhuskers 7-0 in our first Division I-A game was a great feeling. Although Troy could not hold on, they never quit. They had two goal line stands in the 4th quarter with no chance to win the game. They didn’t win, but they did show they belonged. We walked off the field to a standing ovation all the way to the locker room. I was never more proud to be a Trojan! (A close second was the Missouri game in Troy and the atmosphere surrounding that game!)
7. Most embarrassing on-air moment
Gosh, there have been a lot of those! I will narrow it to two. In 1994 we were playing Charleston Southern at home. At that time we would get a live interview with the opposing coach on the field before kickoff. I was interviewing Coach Dowd in the North endzone and the kickers were out warming up. Right in the middle of Coach Dowd responding to a question, one of our punters got off a long kick that took one bounce and, shall we say, hit me where no man wants to be hit! To Coach Dowd’s credit, he stretched his answer out long enough for me to get my bearings. Needless to say, the interview ended shortly after! For the record, I got no mercy from our coaches who witnessed the event. Don Jacobs is probably still laughing!
The second also happened during a game in Troy. Mareno had caught a pass and was tight-roping the sideline on his way to a score. I moved forward to look down the line and see if he stepped out of bounds. A defender, who I never saw, was chasing him from behind. He missed Mareno, but caught me solid! My microphone, my receiver and I went in three different directions. I saw the replay and it was not pretty! To this day, if I am on the sideline and the action comes toward me, you will see me be the first one to bail!
8 Best place you’ve called a game (or roamed the sideline)
From the sideline, not counting Nebraska as noted above, it was Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. From the booth, it was the Superdome in New Orleans, LA during the New Orleans Bowl. Not so much because of the setup, but more because I’ve never had more fun broadcasting a game.
9. Worst place you’ve called a game (or roamed the sideline)
This is the same for both the sideline and the booth. Western Kentucky. The first time I was on the sideline there, they had no stands on the visitor side. It is amazing what a difference that makes. It is also the first place I encountered a cannon on the sideline! I never saw the thing and was no more than 10 yards away when they fired it! I literally fell to the ground. Last year was the only game I have done from the booth there. They were in the middle of renovations and the setup was not good. The worst thing had to be the PA guy who kept blaring “It’s time for some Third Down Thunder!!” into our crowd mic! Honorable mention goes to San Jose, CA in the Silicon Valley Bowl.
One of the worst setups ever!
10. How does Troy’s setup compare with the rest of the conference?
In our conference, second to none! If the windows would open in our booth, it might be second to none period.
