ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, July 27, 1996 TAG: 9607290019
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: ON THE AIR
DATELINE: ATLANTA
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
Dick Enberg left the Barcelona Games feeling like he'd run the marathon. At the Atlanta Games, there are days his work seems more like the 100-yard dash.
Some mornings, Enberg walks into the NBC wing of the International Broadcast Center at the Georgia World Congress Center not quite sure what will fill his four minutes of prime time.
``There's a creative rush you get in doing this,'' said Enberg, one of the nicest and classiest men in sports TV. ``There's no direction. You see or hear something and you react to it.''
Among the swimming and gymnastics that have dominated NBC's prime-time Olympics telecasts have been ``Dick Enberg's Moments.'' They often are superb, because they have the veteran broadcaster's personal stamp.
The Enberg segments have their own production team and his writing ability. The team receives input and suggestions from NBC personnel at the venues. They plan ahead for some pieces, but most of what goes on the air really is capturing a moment.
The concept began in Enberg's host role at Wimbledon, where he wrapped up the annual tennis championships with taped memorable moments. Four years ago in Barcelona, he produced ``Moments'' while serving as studio host for the daily morning show.
It was too much. In Atlanta, Enberg only is looking for moments, and anyone who saw Wednesday's piece on several U.S. wrestlers realizes this guy isn't just one of the best play-by-play men in the business.
Enberg sees the subject of his piece live or on tape, then writes the piece. The tape is edited, and Enberg edits his copy, and music is mixed in to finish the piece.
``I love to write, and I'm writing to a picture and reacting to something, rather than being necessarily creative,'' he said. ``When you're in love, it's really easy to write a love letter. If you're writing a letter to someone you don't want to write to, it can take days.
``It's exciting, letting the game come to you. Sometimes, I go to bed the night before not knowing what we're going to do the next day. Usually, it will be from one of the sports that don't get much notoriety.
``There's something there, something more pure. The person isn't going back to play for the Lakers. He might go back and be an assistant coach at some small college. He or she has an appreciation for being here. What we're dealing with is the human emotion, the pulse.''
Enberg, even in his Emmy-winning play-by-play work, always has been a storyteller. He knows what he's talking about, because in 40 years as a broadcaster, the former teacher has been there. And it works because he's genuinely emotional.
``Some people might call it corny, or sappy, but it's all real stuff we're doing. That piece on the wrestlers, we didn't make that up. I love what I do, and maybe that comes through.
``I still have the dream, like when I was a kid, that I'm the guy up in the ninth inning with the winning run on base. And the human stories here, they're so powerful.''
Viewers of NBC's Opening Ceremonies coverage at the Atlanta Games got a preview of what prime-time could be like. Enberg and Bob Costas teamed for an outstanding show. Their dialogue during the Parade of Nations into the stadium produced two hours of great viewing.
``It's different than play-by-play,'' said Enberg, who has called seven Super Bowls in 21 years with NBC Sports. ``Doing this allows me to be more than that. That's why I like the Olympics. There's more out there than just one game.''
That's why, when NBC Sports president Dick Ebersol added four more Olympics to the network's acquisition of the Sydney Games in 2000, the one-time Michigan farmboy and current Southern California resident began ``counting to see how old I'd be to do all of them.''
Enberg, 61, said he definitely wants to work the Sydney Games.
``That will be my 25th year with NBC,'' said Enberg, who came to the network after being the voice of UCLA's great men's basketball teams during the John Wooden era.
``It will be my 45th year in broadcasting. I'd like to work 50 years in the business. I'd like to think I'd still be a top play-by-play man, too, but who knows? I feel great. There's so much going on out there, I can't wait to get at it each day.''
With Enberg, you do get a lot of genuine moments.
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Enberg (headshot)by CNB