SAN ANTONIO, Tex. – The Florida Gators men’s basketball team was in San Antonio for the Final Four. With a spot in the National Championship on the line, fans from across the country made their way to the Lone Star State to witness the action firsthand.
This event was a chance for fans to celebrate the student-athletes, but they aren’t the only students making the trip with business to attend to. Student broadcasters from the University of Florida are also gearing up for the excitement of March Madness.
“We have a lot coming up,” sophomore Alexis Vivanco said.
Vivanco sits alongside his broadcast partner Nate Bilgoray in the media room at the Alamodome.
“[Saturday] is a big day because Florida plays basketball,” Bilgoray, a junior, said. “We’re here with the Orange and Blue Sports Network. It’s our student sports radio network, so we’re lucky enough to call the game Florida versus Auburn.”
The team of student broadcasters have been alongside the team throughout the tournament, representing the UF with the Orange and Blue Sports Network — a student-run initiative that gives students the chance to step up to the mic on one of sports’ biggest stages.
“It’s been a blessing to be here,” Vivanco said. “The next 24 hours are gonna be absolute lunacy.”
The two are preparing for the Final Four. It’s one of the biggest stages in college sports. The event is one that carries a recognizable brand with voices sports fans have grown accustomed to hearing on TV and radio.
Now, these students from Gainesville get to work alongside them.
“For a long time,” Vivanco said. “It’s kind of the asterisk next to ‘student journalists,’ but we’ve been able to talk to the players, get media availability and actually be able to be the guys that we aspire to be.”
The two mentioned names like Jim Nantz, Ian Eagle and Kevin Harlan as the level they hope to reach. But in the meantime, they’re balancing the weight of Final Four with the responsibilities of being a college student.
“It is ridiculous,” Bilgoray said. “The day before I left, I had a lot of schoolwork to do. I’m a student; I have schoolwork to do. I spent hours preparing, making four spotting boards for each game.”
Different crews from the school attended each round of the NCAA Tournament. Now, Vivanco and Bilgoray are responsible for the Final Four. And not just the Florida game. The two will also have a chance to call Duke versus Houston.
“It’s a blessing,” Vivanco said. “The opportunity to do what you love, especially on a stage this big, is something that people strive their whole lives for and not even get close to. We’re 19 and 21 years old, respectively. We’re doing what we love and have the opportunity to meet so many amazing people.”
As they prepared for the game, both students acknowledged the challenge of balancing their roles as journalists and fans. But were understanding of the unwritten rule that there is no cheering in the press box.
“It’s an interesting thing to juggle because we’re here as students, and the Gators are playing,” Bilgoray said. “Most of my friends are coming here just to enjoy it, but I’m working. It’s kind of like juggling the struggle of stepping back and appreciating the moment while also generating content.”
As the tip-off approached, the duo was focused on their preparations.
“For me, it’s more about taking the excitement, the nerves, everything that comes with it, and channeling it properly through the broadcast so I can use it as fuel,” Bilgoray said.
The tip-off is set for just after 6 p.m. The two will broadcast to the Gainesville audience on 95.3 GHQ.
