General 9/9/2021 9:55:00 AM

Behind the Mic: Meet the "Voice of the Bobcats" broadcasting team

BANNER ELK, N.C. - Have you listened to one of the four Lees-McRae College men's and women soccer broadcasts that have happened this past week and wondered who's voice you are hearing? Through a partnership between the athletic department at Lees-McRae and the Sports Management program, and a subsequent partnership with the Communication, Electronic Media/Broadcasting program at Appalachian State University, a group of dedicated students get to showcase their passion on the Lees-McRae Digital Network.

“Our efforts to create a high-quality broadcast for our home events would not exist without our partnerships with the Sports Management program and the program at Appalachian State,” said Director of Sports Information Patrick Smith. “These 11 individuals, who are listed below, are hard-working individuals who have the passion and dedication to achieve excellence each and every contest. As the Conference Carolinas looks to expand and enhance the Digital Network in the coming years, this group of individuals will lay the ground work for us to meet that challenge.”

Meet the “Voice of the Bobcats” by clicking on each of the individual tabs below (members listed from left to right in the above image):

“Voice of the Bobcats” role: Supervisor / Color Commentator

Smith joined the Bobcat community as the Director of Sports Information on May 1, 2020 and oversees the communication coverage of all 21 varsity sports that Lees-McRae offers. Smith, along with Travis Stanley, helped developed the initial partnerships and provide training for the broadcasting team.
“Voice of the Bobcats” role: Camera Operator / Color Commentator

Aversano, who is a senior midfielder on the Lees-McRae men's soccer team, is a student in the sports broadcasting class, under the guidance of Dr. Lonni Wilson, within the Sports Management program. Due to the men's soccer team being in season for the majority of the Fall 2021 semester, Aversano will work sporadically with the women's soccer and women's volleyball broadcasts.
“Voice of the Bobcats” role: Play-by-Play Broadcaster

Affolder, a senior in the Communication, Electronic Media/Broadcasting program at Appalachian State University, joins the “Voice of the Bobcats” with prior experience working with the college's award-winning radio station WASU and covering select Appalachian State athletic competitions. Affolder has been the main play-by-play broadcaster for all four home games on Tate Field and will be featured heavily throughout the semester.
“Voice of the Bobcats” role: Camera Operator / Color Commentator / Sports Information Intern

Woolslayer, who is a senior in the Sports Management program, is a student in both the sports broadcasting class, under the guidance of Dr. Lonni Wilson, and is doing an internship with Patrick Smith in the sports information office. Due to his vast knowledge of volleyball, a sport he was previously a part of, Woolslayer will serve as a color commentator for the home women's volleyball matches taking place this semester.
“Voice of the Bobcats” role: Color Commentator

Marsans, who is a junior outside hitter on the men's volleyball team, is a student in the sports broadcasting class, under the guidance of Dr. Lonni Wilson, within the Sports Management program. Marsans, who has already served as the color commentator for a few soccer broadcasts already this semester, will also be featured as a color commentator for the upcoming home women's volleyball matches this semester.
“Voice of the Bobcats” role: Camera Operator

Bryant, who is a junior center on the men's basketball team, is a student in the sports broadcasting class, under the guidance of Dr. Lonni Wilson, within the Sports Management program at Lees-McRae. As someone who is new to live broadcasting, Bryant will be featured as one of the main camera operators for home events this semester, while also gaining valuable broadcasting knowledge from some of our more experienced members of the broadcasting team.
“Voice of the Bobcats” role: Color Commentator / Camera Operator

Murphy, a junior newcomer on the Lees-McRae men's lacrosse team, is a student in the sports broadcasting class, under the guidance of Dr. Lonni Wilson, within the Sports Management program. Murphy, who has been a color commentator on a few of the soccer broadcasts this semester already, will be featured as a color commentator on both the men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball broadcasts this semester.
“Voice of the Bobcats” role: Supervisor / Broadcast Director

Bagbey, who joined the Bobcats in late August, will serve as the Game Environment Coordinator and the director of the live broadcasts. With prior experience working on ESPN+ broadcasts, while at Longwood University, Bagbey brings a skillset that will help enhance the broadcasts and create a successful viewing experience for Bobcat Nation.
“Voice of the Bobcats” role: Camera Operator

McConnell, who is a senior guard on the men's basketball team, is a student in the sports broadcasting class, under the guidance of Dr. Lonni Wilson, within the Sports Management program at Lees-McRae. As someone who is new to live broadcasting, McConnell will be featured as one of the main camera operators for home events this semester, while also gaining valuable broadcasting knowledge from some of our more experienced members of the broadcasting team.
“Voice of the Bobcats” role: Color Commentator

Nalls, who is a junior libero on the men's volleyball team, is a student in the sports broadcasting class, under the guidance of Dr. Lonni Wilson, within the Sports Management program. Nalls, who has already served as a camera operator for a few soccer broadcasts already this semester, will also be featured as a color commentator for the upcoming home women's volleyball matches, due to his experience as a men's volleyball student-athlete, this semester.
“Voice of the Bobcats” role: Play-by-Play Commentator

Hallow, a junior in the Wildlife Biology program at Lees-McRae, comes to Banner Elk as a transfer from the University of Kentucky, where he worked a variety of student-run live broadcasts throughout his two years in Kentucky. Having prior knowledge of how to successfully run a broadcast, Hallow will join Chris Affolder as two of the main play-by-play announcers for the soccer and volleyball broadcasts this semester.
“Voice of the Bobcats” role: Supervisor / Photographer / Branding Consultant

Stanley, who serves as the Visual Media Coordinator in the Marketing and Communications office at Lees-McRae, joins Patrick Smith as main supervisors of the “Voice of the Bobcats” broadcasting team. In addition to his work in a supervisory role, Stanley serves on the Conference Carolinas Digital Network Standards Committee and oversee Lees-McRae's efforts to meet the standards in place.

For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).

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