From Calling Games for Free to Calling SEC Football | Matt Schumacker

<p>Matt Schumacker spent years envisioning himself calling college football in front of 80,000 fans.</p><p></p><p>Now he gets to do it for real.</p><p></p><p>The new lead play-by-play voice for SEC Network football joins The Preferred Walk-On Show to tell the story behind an 11-year climb through sports broadcasting, from calling minor league baseball for free and driving hours for $200 assignments to nearly leaving the profession altogether during COVID.</p><p></p><p>Matt discusses the moments he wondered whether the opportunity would ever come, the role his wife and faith played in keeping him going, and why he became a believer in visualizing the life and career he wanted before they became reality.</p><p></p><p>We also go behind the scenes of a major college football broadcast: the preparation fans never see, communicating with producers during live television, developing chemistry with Aaron Murray and Taylor Davis, and the responsibility that comes with telling the story of SEC football every Saturday.</p><p></p><p>Plus, Matt shares what he learned participating in a mock College Football Playoff selection committee, his bucket-list college sports venues, his background as a college track athlete and, because this is college football, the best places to eat barbecue and best college-town fare.</p><p></p><p>⏰ CHAPTERS:</p><p></p><p><b>00:00 — Matt Schumacker joins the show</b><br /><b>01:18 — St. Louis food, toasted ravioli &amp; SEC food spots</b><br /><b>05:28 — Matt's ultimate barbecue destination</b><br /><b>08:28 — From college track athlete to broadcaster</b><br /><b>10:33 — How fast is a 3:42 mile?</b><br /><b>13:57 — The long road through sports broadcasting</b><br /><b>14:44 — “When are you going to get a real job?”</b><br /><b>15:39 — Calling games for free &amp; driving eight hours for $200</b><br /><b>16:00 — COVID, real estate &amp; nearly leaving broadcasting</b><br /><b>17:21 — Faith, family &amp; believing before anyone else does</b><br /><b>19:20 — Visualizing himself calling SEC football</b><br /><b>20:32 — Getting the call from ESPN</b><br /><b>22:18 — What fans don’t see during a live broadcast</b><br /><b>24:22 — How broadcasters prepare for a game</b><br /><b>25:18 — Working with Aaron Murray &amp; Taylor Davis</b><br /><b>28:08 — Inside the College Football Playoff selection room</b><br /><b>31:37 — Three must-visit venues in college sports</b><br /><b>37:07 — Matt’s advice to his younger self</b></p><p></p><p>If you enjoyed thi