Ali on the Run Show
865. Paul Swangard, Track & Field Analyst & The Voice of Hayward Field
1h 14m
"I want to be part of making people care. My hope is that my enthusiasm for the sport as a fan of the sport comes through in my calls."
Even if you don't know his face, you definitely know his voice: Paul Swangard is here! Paul, a lifelong resident of Eugene, OR, is known as the Voice of Hayward field, where he's the longtime in-stadium announcer at the University of Oregon. He's an Emmy-award winning member of the NBC sports talent team, where he is an analyst and does play-by-play for track and field and distance events including the Olympics, World Championships, US National Championships, Millrose Games, New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, Diamond League meets, and more. He also does the world feed broadcasts for the New York City and Boston Marathons. Paul is a professor in the School of Journalism and Communications at the University of Oregon, he's a sought-after media consulstant and strategic advisor for brands in running and beyond, and he is one of the best to ever get on the mic.
FOLLOW PAUL @paul_swangard
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In this episode:
- What is making Paul happy today? (3:00)
- What Paul hopes his University of Oregon students take from his classes and his teachings (5:40)
- Paul's road to Hayward Field — and the microphone (13:25)
- What it was like working World Championships in 2022 at Hayward Field (24:05)
- Paul explains his role on any given NBC broadcast (31:55)\
- Paul's most meaningful memories on the mic (37:15)
- What makes a broadcast a success? (47:30)
- On getting nervous before going on air (56:50)
- What Paul wishes the viewers at home understood about a race broadcast (59:25)
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