EP 092: Andy Garcia Westwood One and Northern Illinois
This episode features my conversation with Andy Garcia. Andy Garcia is all around Northern Illinois sports! He does play-by-play for women’s basketball and is the sideline reporter for football. He is also a producer and works in affiliate sales for Westwood One Sports. Topics of discussion include:
- Not being the Hollywood Star Andy Garcia.
- Knowing from a young age that he wanted to be in the business.
- Getting tricked by his aunt into listening to his childhood tapes in front of his family.
- Moving to Chicago with no job and no guarantee.
- His first break that got his foot in the door in the Chicago market.
- Climbing the ladder at 670 The Score from producer to sports director.
- The connection that led him to Westwood One Sports.
- Learning the business of affiliate sales.
- Using affiliate sales as a springboard.
- The lessons he’s learned producing for some of the best broadcasters in the business.
- Being successfully spontaneous in big moments.
- Finding people to interview in chaotic postgame environments.
- Learning from working with legendary sideline reporter Jim Gray.
- The feeling of being associated with a team.
- Working with Bill Baker, the voice of Northern Illinois, who’s starting is 40th season in the booth.
- Nailing a big moment and ending up with his call on ESPN’s Top 10 Plays.
- Covering women’s football and adjusting vocabulary for the women’s game.
- Adjusting his career and taking care of three kids after his wife tragically passed away from cancer.
- His broadcast horror stories.
- His favorite broadcaster to listen to.
- The best deep dish in Chicago.
And much more!
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