How I Learn by Doing
Perfecting the Play-by-Play
Journalism senior Harry Kaseff breaks down what he learned as a play-by-play announcer for Cal Poly Athletics broadcasts on ESPN+.
By Harry Kaseff, journalism senior, Cal Poly Athletics ESPN+ commentator
and men’s club volleyball president
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Harry Kaseff (left) helps call the women’s volleyball match against UC San Diego in 2023. Photo courtesy of Cal Poly Athletics.
Before my first match as the color commentator for the university’s women’s volleyball team in 2022, I was a wreck. Even though I had worked behind the scenes for Cal Poly Athletics livestreams on ESPN+ since my freshman year — including camera operation and production for multiple sports — I had no expectations about what it would be like to help lead a broadcast on live TV.
Daniel Gillman, ESPN+ play-by-play announcer, suggested we meet near campus before our first match together. He reviewed our plans for the show open and encouraged me to be my energetic self throughout the broadcast. He also kindly assured me that I would do just fine. Even with his generous words, I ran into the bathroom just minutes before first serve and splashed water on my face. It was game time — I needed to get in the zone.
Now, broadcasting a match feels so natural compared to that first time I put the headset on. But there were a lot of learning moments.
I remember during my first match, executive producer Andrew Baird said, “Slow down, Harry.” He told me that I was saying the right things, but it sounded like my words were racing. Adrenaline and nerves played a big part in that. Now, I know more about letting the action breathe and giving analysis after the point. Match by match, I got a better feel for what technical details to highlight and how to identify players emerging as leaders amid the action.
Kaseff (seated on the sideline) calls the match between Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara in 2024. Photo courtesy of Cal Poly Athletics.
After two seasons as a color commentator, I was offered the opportunity to be the women’s volleyball play-by-play announcer for the 2024 season. I immediately knew I had to step up my game. I started doing deeper, more intensive research on opposing teams and developing closer relationships with the Cal Poly players and coaches.
It was my first time as a solo broadcaster, and I was responsible for carrying the show from beginning to end: essentially giving a two-hour monologue. I had to bring and sustain my energy from the show open until the end of the match. Honestly, I struggled with this early in the season. What really helped me was meeting with Head Coach Caroline Walters before every match, something I had done since 2022. Responding to detailed, open-ended questions, Coach Walters gave me specific answers about the team that I used in the broadcasts. Having notes from these 10-minute meetings helped me inform viewers of intricate details of the match: the game within the game.
I learned from my mistakes and knew I always had to keep going — even if I stumbled over my words. I think that’s the coolest part of being a broadcaster for sports: Even when I trip up, the show must go on.
With every match, my confidence rose. Each time I put the headset on, I felt more comfortable talking on live TV. I learned from my mistakes and knew I always had to keep going — even if I stumbled over my words. I think that’s the coolest part of being a broadcaster for sports: Even when I trip up, the show must go on. It taught me to stay positive and to roll with the punches, no matter what.
I’m set to graduate this June, and I hope to attend graduate school at the Walter Cronkite Sports Broadcasting School at Arizona State University. My ultimate goal is to announce professional volleyball in America, a passion I couldn’t have discovered without this experience. The last three full seasons as a broadcaster for Cal Poly Women’s Volleyball — and the lessons I’ve learned on the call — have given me a wonderful foundation to propel me forward into my career. I feel so fortunate to have found my passion through Learn by Doing, and I can’t wait for future challenges. I am more than well prepared.
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