Monday, March 3, 2008
breakbox
For the full audio Q & A with ESPN's "College Gameday" broadcaster Rece Davis, listen to the podcast: Interview with ESPN's Rece Davis.
“College GameDay” host Rece Davis took some time to do an interview with The University Daily Kansan reporter Luke Morris. Here are some of the highlights from the interview.
Morris: Has the show become routine or is it still exciting for you?
Davis: Look, if you don’t feel the adrenaline start to pump when you walk out in front of great crowds like we have here in Kansas, you should be doing something else. I still feel that every week. Every week it’s still a kick and a real jolt of energy when you walk out in front of the crowd and have them all excited to have the show here and excited about college basketball, the game and their team.
Morris: How early do you have to start preparing for the show on Saturday mornings?
Davis: It’s Jay’s job to make sure there’s a Starbucks on the way because the first thing Digger’s going to say in the morning is “Starbucks”. We’ll hit a Starbucks on the way in. We’ll probably meet at 6:30 or 6:45 in the lobby, hit Starbucks and wind up here to start getting ready for the show. I’ll do a lot of work on the show tonight. By the time I wake up in the morning, I’ll be ready for the show. It’ll just be last minute prepping, tweaking and discussing tomorrow.
Morris: What does it take to get you up on Saturdays?
Davis: Just a big cup of coffee, and that’s it. That’ll get me through the show. Then I’ve gotta go to that Wheel place and get me one of those Wang Burgers.
Morris: Is there a lot of chemistry between you and the other hosts off the set?
Davis: Oh yeah. We’re all good friends, but nothing is sacred when you go into that trailer. Nobody gets a break in that trailer. We all stick it to each other pretty good. It’s not a place for the faint of heart or the thin of skin.
Morris: So do you mention Digger’s loss to Dayton when he mentions that he knocked off seven no. 1 teams?
Davis: Yes or my personal favorite to remind him of is Arkansas-Little Rock. I’ve forgotten, it was either ‘86 or ’87 in a 3 vs. 14 NCAA tournament game. Digger goes down to the Trojans of Arkansas Little-Rock.
Morris: A lot of people comment on Digger’s fashion.
Davis: Or lack thereof.
Morris: Does he pick out the tie or the highlighter first?
Davis: I don’t know that he really picks out either. I think he just turns out the light and sticks a hand in the closet and grabs one.
Morris: Did you see yourself in this position when you were in college?
Davis: Definitely. I saw myself here when I was in high school. This is what I wanted to do. Did I know there would be a show called “College GameDay”? No. But I knew I wanted to be a broadcaster and be heavily involved in college sports because college football and college basketball are the two things I’m passionate about and I feel like I have the best job in the country that I have the opportunity to do those things. But it’s been my goal for a long time, and I’m fortunate enough to be able to live that right now.
—Edited by Sasha Roe
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