with Gary Laubach

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Column Archive   April 29, 2008 January 4, 2008 October 25, 2007 September 18, 2007 August 2, 2007 May 14, 2007 April 21, 2007 February 16, 2007 August 21, 2006 August 4, 2006

Emmy-nominated local sports broadcaster Gary Laubach has served as the voice of the Leopards on television since 1996, handling play-by-play duties for theLafayette Sports Network. The Sports Director at RCN-TV 4, Laubach has been a television sports broadcaster for more than 35 years and has called over 4,000 contests. The Behind the Mic column offers a broadcaster's perspective on Lafayette Athletics.

April 21, 2007

LOOKING "BEHIND" THE MIC

Do you know how easy I have it! I do the research in preparation to do a sporting event. That research is done in the comfort of my office or in the comfort of my home. The ingredients are simple - me (perhaps, the simplest of them all), the computer, and the many pages of background information offered up by the various Sports Information Departments. When I leave the house, the pre-game is formed in my mind; I have pondered the keys to the game; and the energy level is rising.

When I arrive at the press box or the press table, everything is in place. There are times when a monitor is on the wrong side or wires interfere with the room at the table. And then, I pause and think about the people who really work hard to make everything as easy as possible for me and as enjoyable as possible for the viewers at home. I know everyone who is "way behind the mic" makes my job so easy and so enjoyable. It's the people behind the people.

Which brings me to the Athletic Department at Lafayette College. Have you looked around, lately? Have you looked behind the teams putting forth the effort on the various athletic venues? Have you seen all the hard hats walking around? Have you seen the dust, have you seen the bricks, the mortar? In other words, have you seen what's happening at Lafayette behind the players, behind the coaches, behind the mic, behind the cameras, behind the fans, and, most importantly, behind the success?

Bruce McCutcheon, the Athletic Director since September 2001, and his staff have been overseeing the growth of the physical plant at Lafayette at an unprecedented level. By the start of the 2007-2008 academic year, Lafayette will have put the finishing touches on the beautiful Fisher Stadium. By then, the Bourger Varsity Football House will be completed. The complete renovation of the McCracken Field House will include new year-round locker rooms for nine sports. Nearly 300 student-athletes will be affected and enriched by that project alone. A new track and field facility will be completed by then, and enhancements to the softball venue will be underway.

Now Bruce would be the first one to deflect the credit even further "behind" his office. He would tell you that none of this growth would have occurred without the very generous financial gifts and donations of the alumni and friends of Lafayette. And he would be right. The alumni and friends would probably tell you to look at how Lafayette has enriched their lives or the lives of their children. So before every financial donation, there is a reflection, a look "behind." By now, I hope the message is clear - you can always look "behind."

It is quite apparent that when one focuses on one particular area, there is always someone or something behind the scenes. When I find myself "behind the mic," there are so many people working hard behind me. As you look at the big picture of Lafayette renovations, take some time to continue to look, peel back the many layers and thank those who contribute to the success of all of these projects. Take time to look "behind"! I guarantee you will like what you see!!