How About Eli, Jill, and Tina?
Lee Zakow
Monday September 10, 2001
Another one of the columnists here, Charlie Nash, brought up the broadcast announcing – the team on TNN.
In his piece, he made it clear that someone like John Jurkovic is perfect for the game. He’s smart, he’s funny and he learned the game real fast. He was a rip in Europe this past spring too. If memory serves me, he was teamed with one of my all-time favorites, Nick Halling, for a Barcelona-Scotland game when the winds were playing havoc with everything in Montjuic Stadium, including both teams’ passing attacks. He was simply a riot to listen to, and a well-read one at that.
I noticed though, that people like Halling bring a huge passion to the game. Halling is from England, and as such, he gives things a uniquely British twist. But his passion for the game does show through. Looking at the Arena game, there are several people who have a huge, huge passion for the game. Just as Halling’s words bring us a new flavor, so too there are a few on the list who would add immeasurably to the game if just given the chance.
One of them, and I am sure you are all familiar with her, is Tina Cervasio. She has done some work for the old New Jersey Red Dogs, but in talking with her, you get the feeling that there is something more to her than just an announcer or field reporter interested in doing a good job and building the resume. No, there is a passion for the game and a fire there, and that’s what this league needs. Of course having owners like John Elway does not hurt, but is Elway going to broadcast games from the Pepsi Center and shake hands with all the fans he meets, and do it on a weekly basis? I doubt it.
The good thing about Tina is that you know deep down inside she is a fan. And not just a regular fan, but a huge fan of the game she loves. Its important to realize why many of us get in this business and / or maintain web sites. It’s because we are fans first and foremost, and to us the game is the thing. It’s the same thing with Tina, who will, within an hour, tell you about the prospects for next year’s Gladiators, tell you why certain players won’t make it either in this league or the NFL, discuss league policy, and fans. You get the feeling that she is, without a doubt, a walking encyclopedia of AFL knowledge. What a bonus it would be to have people like this on TV where they could spread their knowledge of the game and their passion for it shines through.
It’s a shame that in today’s society, we are only obsessed with style and not substance. Furthermore, knowledge is left for dead, and in its place is witty banter. Dennis Miller works well on ABC because of his knowledge and passion of the game.
TNN, ESPN, ABC, whoever, would be wise to use someone like her because of her smarts and knowledge and passion. And that’s a combination you rarely see out of sports media people these days.
Lee Zakow was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2000 to 2001.
