10 Questions with ... Marc Ernay

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• WERA-AM (Plainfield, NJ): Disc jockey, News reporter, Sports reporter/1988-89, 1990-92
• WDMV-AM (Pocomoke City, MD): Director of News & Sports/1989-90
• Metro Networks/Westwood One (New York, NY): 1994-Present
• USOpen.org Radio: Tennis PBP Announcer/2004-Present
• St. John's University (Queens, NY): Assistant Adjunct Professor/2005-Present

1. How did you get your start in radio? Why radio?

Junior year at Hofstra, tagged along with a friend (thank you, Larry Estreich) to his on-air shift at WRHU-FM. Had always thought about taking a stab at radio, but that Sunday night got me hooked.

As a young child, while others dreamt of being policemen, firemen, and pilots, I wanted to be Bob Murphy's successor on NY Mets broadcasts.

2. About what are you most passionate these days?

Family first, always. After that, making sure my audience is equally entertained & informed. Not the easiest thing to do on all-news radio, so the stabs at humor have to be more subtle. I'm also trying to develop the next generation of broadcasters & writers through my work at St. John's. The biggest emphasis in this age of "Get it first, get it fast, get it now" is remembering it's most important to "Get it right."

I constantly remind all students that proofreading, instead of relying on spell-check, is the hidden key to success.

3. As someone who teaches broadcasting to college students, how do you think they perceive radio; is it still important and viable to them, or do they look at it as "old media"? Is there still enthusiasm for the medium?

The students who want to be broadcasters are still very receptive to radio (they listen to AM and FM) and realize that, especially at St. John's, it's their best route to getting on-air. It seems that those in class for just the 3 credits wouldn't give up their IPods for all the tea in China.

4. What are the best and worst parts of your "day job" as sports broadcaster? What are the best perks and the biggest pains?

Best part: If I had a "real" job working 9-to-5, I'd be home every night watching sports on TV. For the last 15 years, I've been able to cut out the middle man. The job IS watching (and often attending) the games.

Worst part: West coast extra inning baseball/overtime playoff hockey... especially when the alarm clock's set for 5:30am.

Best perk: my "office" most nights is the ballpark, stadium, or arena.

Biggest pain: post-game clubhouse media scrums... like Tom Petty says, "The waiting is the hardest part"... sometimes, it takes close to an hour for the player you need a soundbite from to get out of the shower, weight room, or trainer's office.

5. You've gotten to interview some sports legends over the years; who's been your favorite? Has there been a time when you're interviewing someone or in a press conference with someone and you've thought "wow, I'm standing next to _______; how cool is that?"

Favorite interview was Hall of Fame pitcher "Catfish" Hunter. I didn't grow up a Yankee fan, but he was my favorite player and turned out to be just as nice a guy as I'd hoped.

The only time I ever "froze" was on Steve Carlton night at Veterans Stadium (Philadelphia) in 1989. I was on the concourse behind home plate with Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt, another boyhood idol. My lips were moving, but nothing came out.

There have been a lot of "Wow!" moments over the years. One of my favorites was lunching with the Stanley Cup. The NHL sent it out on a media tour in 2001, and it sat in our conference room for a while. Tough interview, though. It didn't have much to say.

6. Time for "Sportscasting Idol": Who's your all-time favorite sports broadcaster and why?

Bob Murphy. By a country mile. I started following the Mets in 1973. He, Lindsey Nelson, and Ralph Kiner split radio & TV duties, but it was Bob who got me hooked. Right up to his final season (2003), Murph was summer to me. I made it tradition to roll down the windows when he came on for the first spring training broadcast, no matter how cold it was here in New York.

7. What's the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?

A moment that probably went unnoticed by most, but haunts me to this day. First sportscast I ever delivered on 1010 WINS. 12:15 on a college football Saturday afternoon, 1994. I run down the schedule, mentioning that #19 Kansas State had played (and beaten Kansas) on Thursday night in Manhattan. News anchor Larry Kanter (a KU alum, it turns out) calls me on the batphone immediately after I finished, says "Welcome aboard... good luck, etc.," then says "If I can offer a word of advice... you probably shouldn't say a game's in Manhattan unless you mean OUR Manhattan (New York City)... it might confuse the audience." I said, "Thanks, Larry, I'll be sure to remember that." Then he adds "Oh, and one other thing... the game was in Lawrence!" There was nowhere to go but up.

8. Of what are you most proud?

The fact that I've been able to make a living out of following a dream. On the #1 station, in the #1 market? You've got to be kidding me.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _______________.

...laughing. And coffee. And her.

10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?

Best advice: "If you love it, do it. And don't let anyone tell you you can't."

Worst advice: "Why don't you get a 'real' job?"