np_husker
Starter
Fiala no longer part of NU broadcast team
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Adrian Fiala is out as color commentator for the Husker Sports Network radio broadcasts of Nebraska football games.
“We’re going to a traditional two-man booth next season,” Dave Witty, vice president and general manager of the Husker Sports Network, told the Journal Star on Monday. “Most of the other schools have a two-man booth.”
Greg Sharpe will continue in his role as play-by-play man, with ex-NU wideout Matt Davison continuing as color commentator and Lane Grindle as sideline reporter.
“Those are the only three voices you’ll hear during the actual play-by-play portion of the broadcast,” Witty said.
Fiala and Davison shared color commentator duties during games for the past three seasons.
Fiala was told Friday morning he would no longer be part of the broadcasts, including pre-game and post-game shows. The former Nebraska athlete has been part of the Husker broadcast team since 1996.
“It's always tough when you're talking about somebody who’s been part of the broadcast that long and somebody who I respect and always have had a good relationship with,” Witty said. “It’s just that at some point you have to do what you think is right.
“You obviously get feedback from lots of different people and sources. You take all the feedback and you have to make decisions at the end of the year, and that was the decision that was made.”
Fiala couldn’t be reached Monday for comment.
In addition to changes in the booth, Witty said the pre-game show will undergo significant changes.
“We’re going to eliminate a lot of sponsor interviews that are in that show and try to create a little more excitement and anticipation within that, since it’s one hour to three hours away from kickoff,” Witty said. “We had concerns from affiliates and fans and other folks that that show got away from football talk a little too much.”
“Obviously, it’s a complex broadcast,” he added, “and we want to try to make sure it’s a good broadcast for the fans and our clients.”
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Adrian Fiala is out as color commentator for the Husker Sports Network radio broadcasts of Nebraska football games.
“We’re going to a traditional two-man booth next season,” Dave Witty, vice president and general manager of the Husker Sports Network, told the Journal Star on Monday. “Most of the other schools have a two-man booth.”
Greg Sharpe will continue in his role as play-by-play man, with ex-NU wideout Matt Davison continuing as color commentator and Lane Grindle as sideline reporter.
“Those are the only three voices you’ll hear during the actual play-by-play portion of the broadcast,” Witty said.
Fiala and Davison shared color commentator duties during games for the past three seasons.
Fiala was told Friday morning he would no longer be part of the broadcasts, including pre-game and post-game shows. The former Nebraska athlete has been part of the Husker broadcast team since 1996.
“It's always tough when you're talking about somebody who’s been part of the broadcast that long and somebody who I respect and always have had a good relationship with,” Witty said. “It’s just that at some point you have to do what you think is right.
“You obviously get feedback from lots of different people and sources. You take all the feedback and you have to make decisions at the end of the year, and that was the decision that was made.”
Fiala couldn’t be reached Monday for comment.
In addition to changes in the booth, Witty said the pre-game show will undergo significant changes.
“We’re going to eliminate a lot of sponsor interviews that are in that show and try to create a little more excitement and anticipation within that, since it’s one hour to three hours away from kickoff,” Witty said. “We had concerns from affiliates and fans and other folks that that show got away from football talk a little too much.”
“Obviously, it’s a complex broadcast,” he added, “and we want to try to make sure it’s a good broadcast for the fans and our clients.”
