As a Gulf Breeze High School senior, my classmates prophesied I would one day replace broadcasting icon Howard Cosell as the great American sweetheart.
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out I came up a little short of replacing Cosell in the broadcast booth or the hearts of Americans. Even so, I've always had an interest in broadcasting, and often catch myself doing a play-by-play as I watch a ball game on television.
I've even made a few guest appearances on local sports talk radio shows and, several years back, I appeared a few times on the Raider Report television show that rounded up Northwest Florida State College sports.
I never thought I'd be able to quench that thirst I have for broadcasting right here at the Crestview News Bulletin.
I hope you've had a chance to watch the “North End Zone Sports Report” webcast, a recent addition to the News Bulletin sports coverage.
Later today, the fifth webcast will appear on www.crestviewbulletin.com, and you can go back and view previous shows.
As is the case with many good ideas, the webcast’s concept just popped up in a conversation I was having with News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni. I was probably preaching the virtues of the good old days to Thomas, who is more years my junior than I would care to admit.
In the course of our dialog, I found myself visualizing something of a webcast. Thomas, who has a passion for broadcasting, quickly jumped aboard.
It took a week or two of planning — and one dress rehearsal, which didn't make it to the Internet — before we were ready to make our product ready for public viewing. Each week, things seem to run more smoothly as we iron out the webcast and set’s wrinkles.
The show’s concept is simple: I talk about local high school sports, with some college sports and big news from the middle school ranks mixed in as well. Think of the game previews and analysis as supplements for the print edition.
As football and volleyball seasons wind down, we will begin talking about basketball, soccer and whatever else is on the local sports scene.
Currently, Thomas and I co-host the show, but we will try to get some outside or local celebrity co-hosts in the months to come.
I hope you'll check us out and give us your feedback.
Maybe it's not too late for me to be the Great Okaloosa County Sweetheart.
Randy Dickson is the Crestview News Bulletin’s sports editor. Email him at randyd@crestviewbulletin.com, tweet him @BigRandle, or call 682-6524.
Watch the “North End Zone Sports Report” at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at www.crestviewbulletin.com.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SIDELINE OBSERVATIONS: Check out the 'North End Zone Sports Report'