Comerford's dream becomes reality shadowing Cubs' Kasper

By Communication mentee Zoe Comerford

As the mentee of Len Kasper, Comm ’93 and the TV play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs, we’ve worked together on many goals these past few months. I send him articles I write for the Marquette Wire, videos as an anchor on Marquette Now (MUTV’s newscast) and as an analyst on Golden Eagle Sports Report, and, occasionally, he’ll listen to my basketball broadcasts. Our conversations revolve around his advice about any of the broadcasts.

In January, we started focusing more on internships and though I am still in the process, I have some important upcoming interviews. Some of the other goals we set at the beginning of the year and have achieved include improving my play-by-play and color commentary broadcasting abilities prior to men’s basketball and earning an internship. With Len’s help, I was able to have my first play-by-play experiences with women’s volleyball and men’s basketball this fall. Plus, I was able to broadcast both of Markus Howard’s 45-point nights. I was also nominated for a Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association award for my color commentary in the women’s basketball versus Michigan game. Additionally, I had the opportunity to broadcast the women’s basketball BIG EAST Tournament and NCAA Tournament in College Station, Texas. Thanks to Len’s feedback, I’ve become a much better and more confident broadcaster.

Our final goal this year was shadowing him during a game, which we accomplished on April 6 when the Cubs played the Brewers at Miller Park. It was such a unique experience because I had never been able to stay for the whole game when I’ve met him previously.

When I got to the press box, I was able to watch Len prepare for the game and he introduced me to his color analyst, Jim Deshaies. I had met Jim (JD) before when I met Len, but this time it was more personal than meeting him with 15 other students. Following their preparation, Len and JD pre-recorded a pregame show, which I saw while standing in the room. The Brewers’ production team, which works with the visiting team’s announcers, set me up with a microphone. This allowed me to listen to the network’s (NBC Sports Chicago) program, while sitting next to them during the broadcast. It was fun because I saw everything that went on behind-the-scene while also having a great view of the game.

There was so much I learned during this experience, including how to keep a steady pace and that you don’t need to talk every second of the broadcast. People don’t want constant talk, especially if it’s on a TV broadcast because they can see what’s going on for themselves. I also didn’t realize how many sponsors there are for NBC and all of the sponsored content Len and JD have to read during their broadcasts. I got to see how both men prepped for the game and their tendencies during the broadcast, too. It was really fun seeing how they interact with Cubs fans who yell to them in the press box before, during and after the game. I felt really special being up there with them.             

This was such a special experience that I’m going to remember and tell people about for the rest of my life. I’m 19 years old, but I was able to sit with Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies listening to them while they broadcasted the Cubs vs. Brewers game. They also both know me personally. I was able to stay for the four-hour game, which was definitely worth it because the Cubs won
14-8. I plan to keep in touch with Len and continue sending him my work. Hopefully we’re able to work together at some point and I’d like to see him again over the summer at Wrigley Field.

I’m so thankful that I applied to the MUAA Mentor Program and have worked with Len, someone who I have dreamed to sit alongside in a broadcast booth. This wouldn’t have been possible without him and it’s provided me with a unique mentor relationship. 

2018-19 MUAA Mentor Program Resource Guide