Riley Nelson is Greg Wrubell’s new sidekick on football game day. Nelson reported to Cougar Claw that he went through a series of interviews with Wrubell and other broadcast members with BYU before he was hired for the job. “I have known Greg since I was a player at [BYU] and have kept in close touch.” said Nelson.
What was the process like? Nelson had been paying attention to the broadcast booth and made his move when Mark Lyons announced his retirement. Nelson said, “I reached out to Greg when Mark announced his retirement, and asked to be considered. I was one of a handful considered and after the interviews, I was selected.”
Bold, tenacious, gritty. Who does that? A person who played like Nelson did when quarterbacking BYU. A person who has a vision and is willing to work at something to become above average. A person who believes he is qualified to add quality color commentary to a radio broadcast. “I’ve experienced it all and can bring context and perspective to not only the in game action,”Nelson said, “but to the pre and post game shows.”
Nelson’s perspective is born out of success and adversity. Nelson listed his qualifications and perspective saying, “…when it comes to college football there was nothing as a player I didn’t experience, from the highs of being a starter, last second wins, bowl games, ranked teams, comeback victories; to the lows of getting hurt, being benched, battling injuries, criticized by fans and media, losing close games, putting out poor performances…I’ve experienced it all.”
BYU fans will listen this fall to a tried and true athlete turned commentator. But that’s not unique in the world of sports broadcasting. What will be noticed is an aggressive commitment to being as good as possible, not taking this opportunity for granted.
“My focus over these next 100 days is mostly to collect as much advice about on air performance as possible,” said Nelson, “I have always stayed close to the program and have maintained a friendship with Greg, Jason, and Mitch.”
Nelson says he will continue to focus on those relationships and the mentoring process so by August 29th, those fabulous four will be an, “informed and cohesive team and put a great product out over the radio waves.”
O, football season, how I long for thee!
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