As I entered the St. Cloud Tech parking lot an hour before kickoff of a state quarterfinal football game I noticed the outside temperature was 35 degrees. I came prepared with warm clothes.

The Minneota Viking football team was once again playing in the state playoffs. Earlier in the week I had emailed the Activities Director at St Cloud Tech High School to let him know that I will be coming to broadcast the Vikings and Braham Bombers quarterfinal game Friday night. He emailed me back to let me know that I should dress warm because I would be outside broadcasting the game along with a few other radio stations. They don’t have facilities to handle everyone. That was really no surprise to me. I have been through this before while broadcasting a state football game.

A few years ago Minneota was playing a quarterfinal state football game in Monticello where I broadcast outside, but that time it was really cold and very windy making the windchill below zero. It was miserable. I almost quit broadcasting the game because I was so cold. I am not the only radio station that has had to broadcast a game outside.

When I arrived at the press box at St Cloud Tech I went inside and a gentleman handed me the rosters and told me to climb these stairs to get to the crows nest. The crows nest is on top of the press box where they usually video tape the football games. I climbed the steep steps to the crows nest and two other radio stations were already set up. They each had a table and chairs provided for them. I should have gotten there earlier to claim my spot. So I had nowhere to place my radio equipment or a chair to sit and broadcast. I prefer to sit while I broadcast, some like to stand. I looked over my situation and made the decision to go broadcast from the back row of the bleachers. I visited with the two radio broadcasters for a bit on top of the crows nest and heard their complaints about the situation.

You are probably asking so what is the big deal about broadcasting outside? As a broadcaster I hold the rosters in my hand, I have a pen to write stats and other information, plus I pick up my cell phone all the time to catch up on other games going on and posting on my social media sites to keep everyone informed. You can’t do all that wearing gloves or mittens. I also need good lighting to be able to see the rosters and some space to put my radio equipment and I have a lot of equipment. I prefer to be warm and not freezing cold while broadcasting.

I did have a good experience a number of years ago at the new Alexandria High School with Beau Buysse broadcasting with me. They had a large press box and really nice chairs to sit in.

If you know me well, I’m not one to complain. I like to stay positive and upbeat and look for the good in people and things. I have emailed the Minnesota State High School League and complained about holding a state football game at a high school that can not accommodate everyone. Making it to state is suppose to be special for the teams, parents, students and communities. In my opinion there is nothing special about playing a state football game at a local high school. I’m guessing its all about money as to why this is happening at high schools and not at a small college football field. St Cloud Tech had already winterized the football complex so the restrooms were closed and they brought in three port-a-potties. The teams had to bring in water for the players. I had heard earlier in the week they didn’t even have locker rooms for the football teams to dress and shower in. That changed Friday night. Come on MSHSL you can do better than this.

Now I go from my experience Friday night at St Cloud Tech to probably the greatest football stadium in the world US Bank in Minneopolis this Saturday. One extreme to the other. But you won’t hear me complaining this Saturday at the Bank. It is the coolest press area and most of all I will be nice and warm. I should maybe wear a t-shirt and shorts.