The Chippewa Hockey Broadcast Network, regarded as one of the finest ACHA Broadcast Networks at the Division 3 level last year, is looking for motivated, talented, and interested applicants for a variety of positions within our sect of the organization. With free reign of creative control, and high fan support, it is an awesome way for college students to get professional experience with hockey, while being part of an evergrowing organization. For the 2016-2017 Season, the Chippewa Hockey Network will be broadcasting ALL games for CMU's ACHA D2 & D3 Hockey teams, and will need all the help we can get.
Available positions include:
Play-by-Play:
The main voice of any hockey broadcast. Calls action as it happens, and keeps fans regularly updated with score and time.
Responsible for:
- Knowing players names and numbers, positions
- Hockey terminology to be credible and knowledgable for listeners
- Being able to keep up with game speed and action as it happens
- Catch up quickly if they fall behind in action
- Keep cool and collected under intense moments
- Be intellgible and easy to listen to
- To be fair and unbiased as best as possible
- Updating listeners frequently with the score and time
- Keeping track of what has happened over the course of the game
- Among other responsibilities.
In our Play-by-Play men, we're looking for individuals with experience doing Play-by-Play for at least one year, preferably with experience calling hockey, as it is considered one of the toughest sports not just to call, but to call well. Do not let this be a deterrant, we understand how difficult it is to be able to come across a reasonable way to have experience calling hockey, which is the exact reason we set this network up. Reels with any experience of Play-by-Play will do just fine. We prefer to hear at least FIVE minutes of unedited Play-by-Play (longer if possible would be recommended), and we will also accept a few minutes worth of highlights, just to get a feel for how you do in exciting moments. THIS IS AN UNPAID POSITION.
Color Commentator
The Color Commentator's role is to be knowledgable and experienced in the sport of Hockey. Typically, Color Commentators have some experience playing the sport or have spent much time researching the sport.
The Color Commentator is responsible for:
- Quick blips of information during the course of play (as relevant)
- Filling in color (hence the name) of the picture outlined by the Play-by-Play man.
- This includes why the player did what they did
- What the coaches thought process is
- What the play style is
- Between stoppages in play, recapping what happened and why, working as an analyst
- As an analyst, putting a microscope on every little play and inspecting it for the audience to understand
- Doing a lot of research on both teams, players, coaches, conferences, etc to have things to talk about
- This can include fun facts
- Statistics
- History
- Previous matchups
- Streaks (Hot or cold)
- Talking with players, coaches, referees, and fans before the game to have context and things to discuss during broadcast
- Among other responsibilites
In our Color Commentators, we're searching for knowledgable and smart analyzers of hockey. Previous playing experience is definitely recommended, but having a firm handle on the ins-and-outs of the game of hockey is a must. For applying for this, we will require a Color Commentary reel if you possess one, to see how you do during a game and between breaks. The reel should contain at least FIVE minutes of unbroken action with a play-by-play person talking and you intervening with analysis and tidbits. Any sport is fine, hockey would be preferred if possible. Also feel free to include a highlight reel of color. If you have no broadcasting experience, but have played hockey in the past and are interested, please explicitly list your playing experience.
THIS IS AN UNPAID POSITION.
Between The Boards Reporter (On-Air)
The Between The Boards Reporter's role is to be an analyst "on the ice" and be the liason between the broadcasters and the teams.
The BTB Reporter is responsible for:
- Being informed on what is happening during the course of the game
- Explain the reaction to things on the ice from their location
- Talking with the coach during play (when acceptable. We will discuss this with coaches as the season goes on)
- Talking with players and coaches heading into intermission
- What you hear on the bench during play
- What the atmosphere is like in the benches
- What you can hear from on the ice
- What the feeling of the crowd is
We've been interested in bringing on a BTB Reporter since mid-last season, and now that we're heading into a busy year two with the team, would love to bring on reporters who want to be here and be like sponges when it comes to information between the benches.
This is a great way to transition into calling hockey, and learning more about the course of a game by hearing what the broadcasters are saying as action happens, and hearing what coaches and players are saying as the game goes on. People with experience on-air and with the game of hockey would be recommended, and someone who is able to do quick blip reporting would be ideal. If you have no broadcasting experience, but have played hockey in the past and are interested, please explicitly list your playing experience, as that is also recommended.
When applying for this position, please include any reporting/on-air work that you have done, be it anchoring, announcing, field reporting, or otherwise. This will be the best demonstration of your abilities to come up with reports and speak comfortably on air.
THIS IS AN UNPAID POSITION.
Show Host
The Show Host(s) role is to put together and host a show (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, up for deciding) recapping previous games and looking forward to upcoming games. The show must include player/coach interviews and highlights from games that you are talking about to make it more than just you talking in front of the camera.
We previously had the CMU Hockey Weekly Recap Show, and thought we did a good job, but would not mind seeing it done in a completely different way. We're really relaxed on how this show can be ran, and would definitely work with the host(s) in making their ideas happen as best we could. Creative control is in your hands, and aside from what we listed above, responsibilites are more under your control.
A great thing to apply for if you're looking to improve your on camera talent, producing, shooting, and writing.
For applying for this position(s), we're not asking for much. Any on-air reporting or on camera talking (including vlogs etc) will do just fine, and some examples of your shooting/writing/producing/etc. Again, the world is your oyster when it comes to this position. It is as good as you're willing to make it.
THIS IS AN UNPAID POSITION.
Public Address Announcer
The P.A. Announcer's role is to work as the in-arena voice of the Chippewas, letting fans know of goals, assists, information, starting lineups, rules of conduct, penalities, and many other things. As the Public Address Announcer, you'd have the best seat in the house, sitting right between the benches, and being recognized as the voice of I.C.E. Arena.
A script would be provided for you for every single home game, and all that you would need to do is read what is on the script, and relay information from the referees. This is a great way to get your career started in Public Address Announcing, which can be a great, easy way to make money and get jobs.
All we require when applying for this is a reliable, ready-to-work person who has no trouble speaking in public, reading off a script, and has an easy to understand, easy listening voice. We will try and come up with compensation for the position as time goes on. Please attach an example of you speaking, reading something, or doing anything vocally so we can get an idea of your voice. At this time,
THIS IS AN UNPAID POSITION.
Sales
Money is a big thing that we need, as we are more-or-less unpaid interns when it comes to working for CMU Hockey. For this position, you'd be working alongside us to come up with a strategy of sales and businesses to go for to try and get sponsorships for equipment needs, and compensation in terms of travel, work, food, etc.
If you're looking to fill a media sales/business practicum, this is a fantastic way to branch yourself out and stand out from other applicants. We have previous experience doing sales, and anyone with experience or interest of coming aboard and making extra money for themselves and for the program is welcome to apply.
No demonstration reels are necessary, just a heavy interest in selling and being a peoples person.
Camerawork
While we were strictly radio-based last year, we still had a camera person at every game (when possible) to shoot highlights or full games for us, depending on the event. We are looking into the ability to live stream games online or on TV if possible, and for fans to be able to watch the games, live or in highlights, is a huge plus. Camera work is something you'll need to be experienced in no matter what degree or level of broadcasting you're looking into, and having hockey down as a sport you can shoot is a major key when applying for jobs. At this time, NO previous experience shooting hockey is required, and no experience running camera is required, however experience doing one or both would be a huge assest for us. As stated above, this will become a paid position as time goes on with sales, perhaps at $15 to $20 a game. We'll figure something out as time goes on, but we definitely want a large crew of available shooters. This is a great way to build on your resume.
and more.
Just because it isn't listed here, doesn't mean we aren't interested in what you have to offer. If you're looking to join a great organization, get real world, professional experience, and have a great thing to add to your resume, inquire below, and let us know what your interest is. We look forward to hearing from all applicants. Thank you for your time, and Fire Up Chips!
