Nine years ago WMAR wanted to do some local sports programming that people in the Baltimore areawould enjoy. And now many fans around the country are benefitting from that decision.
It was decided that the station would take a chance on the Maryland vs. Johns Hopkins men?s lacrosse battle. Well, as they say, the rest is history. Since that game WMAR has set the standard nationally for the coverage of college lacrosse.
Scott Garceau and his very talented partner, Quint Kessenich, a former four -time All-American and Hopkins grad, will be doing Saturday?s 102nd meeting between Maryland and Hopkins in front of an expected sellout crowd at Homewood Field. Air time live on ESPNU is 8 p.m., and the tape delay on WMAR will on Sunday at 1 p.m.
WMAR features Hopkins, Maryland, UMBC, Towson and Loyola games, and they air both men and woman?s lacrosse on Channel 2. The TV 2 telecasts are so well produced they air nationally on ESPNU.
WMAR sports director Garceau has been there since day one, and I spoke to him about the station?s passion for lacrosse.
Jim Williams: What makes your coverage so special?
Scott Garceau: With Baltimore being such a hotbed for the sport, we have a staff of the best producers, directors, and technical people in the business. They take great pride in presenting lacrosse better than anyone else because they really understand the sport, love the sport and enjoy what they do. These folks are not full-time sports people. They do the games and then go back to the station where they work on the news and other projects.
JW: What is the secret to your success?
SG: Well, the station has been able to strike a wonderful relationship with the schools, the ad community, and that is our secret. The colleges understand the importance of our coverage and the ad community wants to be part of our relationship. So we have been able to produce 15 telecasts this season, and ratings-wise we have done well, because if we have learned one thing in our nine years of doing this:, Baltimore loves college lacrosse!
WJFK hires “The Ultimate Sports Chick”
Anita Marks, the very popular and talented radio personality at ESPN 1400 in Miami, is headed to Baltimore. Marks will fill the air chair on WJFK weekdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. starting in late May. She is a woman who knows her sports and is looking forward to coming to Charm City. Much more with the “Ultimate Sports Chick” in a future column. (Check out www.anitamarks.com)
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
