\u201cI had everything but the cymbals between my knees so that I could be the marching band.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u2014 Dick Enberg<\/p>\n
Before refining his skills in the broadcast booth, Enberg did plenty of homework. A graduate of Central Michigan University, he earned a master\u2019s degree and a doctorate from Indiana University, where he also served as the first-ever football and basketball play-by-play announcer for the Indiana University Sports Network. He then made his voice heard at the front of the classroom, as an assistant professor at California State University at Northridge.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a teacher by trade, and, consequently, he knows what it is like to prepare for and take a test,\u201d says Billy Packer, Enberg\u2019s long-time NCAA basketball broadcast partner. \u201cHis interest as a former teacher in acquiring knowledge and not overburdening you with his knowledge is the ultimate preparation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The professor lent his voice to the Northridge dugout as well as its classrooms, working as an assistant coach for the baseball team. To encourage his players for a base hit, Enberg and the coaching staff would yell out, \u201cTouch \u2019em all!,\u201d the phrase that Enberg later adopted as his home-run call.<\/p>\n
Arriving at his signature expression, however, was a lesson in preparation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll good announcers have a punch line,\u201d Enberg says. In 1957, however, options were limited \u2014 \u201cOh, doctor,\u201d \u201cHoly cow,\u201d and \u201cHow about that,\u201d were already taken (by Red Barber, Harry Caray, and Mel Allen, respectively).<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the Midwest, \u2018Oh, my\u2019 is a common expression,\u201d Enberg continues. \u201cMy mother used it often, and you can use it in many different inflections. After about three weeks of using it, my pals in graduate school would see me and say, \u2018Enberg, Oh my!\u2019 And I said, that\u2019s going to be a good friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sportsbroadcastinghalloffame.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Dick-Enberg-post.jpg\" "\\"Dick-Enberg-post\\"")
That good friend has now been with Enberg for more than 50 years, 25 of them at NBC and the last 10 at CBS. The former radio and television voice of the California Angels, UCLA basketball, and the Los Angeles Rams went on to call NFL and NCAA football; NBA and NCAA basketball; four Olympic Games; the Australian, French, and U.S. Opens and Wimbledon; the Masters, U.S. Open golf, and PGA Championships; the World Series; heavyweight boxing; gymnastics; figure skating; Breeders\u2019 Cup horse racing; and track and field.<\/p>\n
\u201cDick can not just cover an event but weave a story around it,\u201d says legendary ABC\/NBC producer\/director Don Ohlmeyer. \u201cHe\u2019s fantastic at being able to put an event in its historical context. For an event like Wimbledon, there was always that air of respect in his voice without in any way being obsequious, and that\u2019s a tough thing to pull off.\u201d<\/p>\n
For an announcer who has covered every major sporting event in the world, there is no picking favorites.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s like asking who\u2019s your favorite child,\u201d Enberg says. \u201cThey\u2019re all in their own way, with different challenges that require different styles, research, and storytelling.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Professor has a steadfast formula for the research required for any event: for every hour he spends on-air, Enberg devotes a minimum of one day\u2019s preparation \u2014 and that\u2019s before he arrives at the game, speaks to coaches and players, and attends production meetings.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I\u2019ve done less than that,\u201d he says, \u201cI feel I haven\u2019t prepared properly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Enberg\u2019s interests in life extend well beyond the field of play. A wine collector, he is also a travel connoisseur and a prolific writer, having penned two best-selling books and a one-man play. A father of six, he lives in La Jolla, CA, with his wife, Barbara.<\/p>\n
Ever the student, Enberg continues to study at least three days a week, as he prepares for his Sunday NFL on CBS broadcasts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you take a look at all of the sports that he\u2019s been involved with and all of the different broadcasters that he has worked with, in every case, their best moments were when they worked with Dick,\u201d Packer says. \u201cOf all the guys that I\u2019ve ever met, he is the greatest team player.\u201d<\/p>\n
A talented teammate, professor, and lead announcer, in his 50 years behind the microphone, Enberg has truly touched \u2019em all.<\/p>\n
Oh, my, indeed.<\/p>\n