Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Ian Sadler grew up watching Jacque Vaughn and Jerod Haase play basketball in Allen Fieldhouse at the University of Kansas. Now, as Sadler sits behind the PA microphone in that same arena for a women’s basketball game, what was once a dream has become reality.
“As a kid, Kansas Athletics was the ultimate,” Sadler said, “and now to think that I am a part of that is really something special,”
Since last fall, Sadler, Emporia junior, has been the PA voice for women’s basketball, volleyball, swimming and diving, and baseball.
For Sadler, being a part of the Athletics Department wasn’t necessarily in the cards when he was young.
“As a kid growing up, it was go to Emporia State, graduate, and live there all your life,” Sadler said. “There was nothing else.”
And last spring, as a sophomore at Emporia State, he was well on that path and even had his own call-in radio program.
“Radio was nice and everything, but I knew that wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life,” Sadler said.
After some help from the Emporia State athletic director, Sadler had the opportunity to transfer to Kansas and start his dream of working in sports. He now majors in sports management and also works for Event and Facilities Management, an organization that works with the athletics department to coordinate events.
Because of his previous radio experience, Sadler was a shoo-in for the announcing job with the athletics department.
Matt Baty, marketing manager for Event and Facilities Management, works closely with Sadler and was impressed the first time he heard him announce.
“He is so comfortable with the mic,” Baty said. “The thing is in sports you can’t really predict situations. Ian is really good with impromptu and is quick on his feet, which is important in this job.”
Sadler said he felt as if he was a part of the game and the atmosphere.
“It’s a complete energy rush,” Sadler said. “I maintain being a fan but still try and have some professionalism. I feel like I am a part of the team.”
Sadler announces next at the women’s basketball game against Colorado on Monday at 7 p.m.
— — Edited by Casey Miles
The man behind the mic
Eric Danielson, Lawrence native, announces the basketball games this season and feels ...
KU signs 10-year contract with ESPN
ESPN Regional television and Host Communications will provide services for the Athletics ...
Perkins nabs top spot in sports poll
Kansas athletic director beats Red Sox owner and Celtics general manager after ...
Football schools improve basketball programs
Athletics Department hopes to follow the lead of other schools and make ...
Broadcaster commences final season
Lost and found
After skipping summer league baseball, Kyle Murphy has returned with regained confidence ...
Athletics department proposes new facility
The Olympic Village will combine soccer, softball and track into one complex.
Former athletics director remembered by many
Robert Frederick, athletics director for 14 years, died Friday night at the ...
Upgrades shift to basketball, volleyball
Coaches and players are still excited about ongoing construction and upgrades to ...
Remembering Naismith 150 years after his birth
Max Falkenstein, Gary Bender, Bud Stallworth and Jerry Waugh share stories about ...
Athletics facility construction on schedule
A new basketball practice facility, locker rooms for smaller sports and an ...
Athletics department considers economy
Changes are being put in place to raise money and help fans ...
University celebrates 40 years of women’s athletics
Marlene Mawson’s induction and rowing boathouse dedication highlights weekend devoted to women’s ...
Lew Perkins to retire in September 2011
Kansas athletics director Lew Perkins has announced his impending retirement, effective September ...
Maric must lead for Huskers
After the firing of Nebraska AD Steve Pederson and the disappointing season ...
Kevin Harlan’s early talent opened doors
Allen Fieldhouse and ‘this beautiful campus’ convince the Wisconsin kid to attend ...
Perkins hires permanent media rep
Editorial: Accountability begins with interim director
Sean Lester is a good choice for interim athletic director.
Students camp out in record numbers for ...
Nearly one hundred groups attended the 6 a.m. lottery Thursday morning.
Athletics Department scores twice with new football ...
KU athletics hires new swimming director
Coach Campbell thinks the new swimming director will help recruiting.
Student Senate candidate talks about his party's ...
Adam Wood, Student Senate presidential hopeful, discusses strategies to help with dorm ...
Interim director for Athletics chosen
After Lew Perkins retirement announcement, Sean Lester was selected as interim director ...
Football facility architect reportedly selected
Still no confirmation in athletics director search
Kansas and Tulsa officials have denied speculation Lawrence Cunningham will be named ...
Editorial Board: Athletic funding shouldn't fall on ...
The Women and Non-Revenue Sports fee was voted to be increased from ...
Hemenway leaves his mark on Kansas Athletics
Hiring of Athletic Director Lew Perkins was key point in chancellor’s tenure
Hemenway spends days researching
After retiring, the former chancellor works in the Hall Center working on ...
Looking at both sides of the scalp
The Athletics Department has begun to take legal action against ticket scalpers ...
'A Long Story,' but told so well
Announcer Max Falkenstien was courtstidefor 60 of Kansas basketball's 110 years.
Student athletes teach children healthy lifestyles
Celebration promotes women's sports
KU Athletics raised awareness of women's sports through a promotional event on ...
University suspends faculty discounts
Tightening budget leads to temporary removal of basketball, Lied Center ticket discounts ...
Women’s golf adds strong competitors to roster
Coach Erin O’Neill wants her players to prepare intensely for every tournament.
Unpaid professionals
Student athletes navigate two worlds.
Editorial: Olympic Village highlights gap between athletics, ...
The administration's first priority should be improving academic standards.
Achieving two dreams
How student athletes juggle games and GPAs
The Gaming Diet
Getting in shape with video games can be as fun as it ...
Coach starts small to dream big
Coach Ritch Price reflects on his experiences throughout the years that led ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID