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Sitting on the 50-yard line, Brian Boettcher watches closely as Northwest battles Abilene Christian University in the football home opener at Bearcat Stadium
But Boettcher isn't wearing a Northwest T-shirt or face paint, he's not even among the thousands of screaming fans reacting to every drive.
Instead, he is sitting in the press box in front of a laptop, dressed up in a white long-sleeve button down dress shirt, a black and gold striped tie mixed with different shades of green and olive pants. Boettcher is Northwest's sports information director, or SID in media terms.
"Scott rushed 32-yards to the three, tackled by Martin," he announces to the media members sitting around him.
Computer keyboards come alive, sounding like tap dancers on a Broadway stage.
That's just part of his duties while the game goes on. He also constantly updates stats through a software system called Stat Crew, allowing other outlets to stay in check.
"It's a way SIDs communicate with each other as well as the conference office, as well as the NCAA," Boettcher said. "It creates HTML files that we use for our Web site so as soon as the game's over, we're able to send the game to the NCAA, have a box score for our media, to our conference and we're instantly able to put our statistics up on our Web site."
About an hour and a half before game time, members of the media begin to arrive.
Carrying cameras, laptops and notepads, they file into the press box prepared to cover game one of the 2008 season. Before the game even begins, Boettcher has already provided them with stats and information.
"We create what's called game notes, it's simply all the information that a newspaper writer or television station would need to do or write an effective story."
Problems may occur with the wireless Internet router during the game, but other than that, things tend to go smoothly as the media are given continuous updates while the game is played.
Separated by a wall and thick-glass window, computers and TV monitors buzz and hum in the room next door. It is the hub of the stadium's TV crew, announcements and scoreboard operations.
"We're on one, ready two," Will Murphy says into his headset.
Murphy is the director of Cat Vision, the facility's live game video.
"We take three cameras positioned throughout the stadium and do a mix of live shots (and) pre-programmed announcements," he said. "We roll all this into a live video feed and then present it through the board that's out on the field and also to the suites."
Music and referee mics are also channeled through the booth and broadcasted through stadium speakers.
Watching each monitor closely, Murphy communicates shots and positions to each cameraman on the stadium roof.
"Take one, ready two, one follow him through to the kick, but stick with him," he says fiddling with a marker.
He folds his arms and paces from the monitors to the large windows facing the field.
During taping, the 'Cat Vision team gives equal coverage to both the Bearcats and Abilene Christian players as well as the fans, however, some things won't be shot and some people aren't open to camera usage.
"If a player is injured, one thing we will not do is show players as they're on the ground," Murphy said. "After some sports controversies in the last couple of years, there are some coaches that are sensitive if we're showing their sidelines."
Sitting next to the window separating him from the press box in the lower level of the same room, Doug Sudhoff's thumb sits on a red button.
He pushes it.
"That's good for a Bearcat …"
Sudhoff stops and releases the button.
The crowd screams, "First down!"
It's his sixth season as the public address announcer at Bearcat Stadium and the main thing is making sure fans are informed after every play.
"Who carried the ball or who caught the ball, who made the tackle, the down and the distance for the next play, those kinds of things," he said all need to be announced.
Equipped with a headset, a binder full of rosters and scripts taped to the window next to him, Sudhoff also broadcasts promotions for sponsors like Taco Johns and McDonalds.
Play stops on the field.
"Ball on the 46-yard line, fourth down, fifteen," he says into his headset.
His voice echoes across campus and the nearby neighborhood.
A Mass Communication professor and a former Kansas City television reporter, Sudhoff uses his experience to do an accurate job.
"Television news, what that taught me was to slow down and don't get so wound up," he said. "I love college football and I'm a huge fan. If I sat in the stands I'd be all wound up in the game and because I have to stay focused and do my job, I don't get as anxious during the game."
His voice can please or disappoint a crowd when other scores are announced from around the MIAA or other Northwest games. There may even be an announcement regarding a regional Division I game or a professional game, but when two certain teams are losing, that's when the fans go crazy.
"Anytime Pittsburg State's being beaten, anytime Mo. West is being beaten," I know that when I announce those, people are going to jump up and down."
Working a game in the press box can be tough at times, but for Boettcher, Murphy and Sudhoff; it's a life they really enjoy.
"I'm here on Saturday working," Boettcher said with a grin as he gestures the quotations symbol. "I've got the best seat in the house and I'll know exactly how many stats Joel Osborn's thrown for before anybody else does."
Murphy smirks.
"I wouldn't call it a hard job because most of us who do this really enjoy what we do," he said. "There's instant gratification…I wouldn't call it difficult, I'd call it fulfilling."
For Sudhoff everything is a joy, announcing each play and promotion, but if he had to watch game from a different perspective, say in the stands, there would be one significant difference.
He looks out the window and laughs.
"I would get to sit with my wife."
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