By Erin Roberts, roberte1@ohio.edu

AT RIGHT: Brian Boesch, left, and Caleb Troop have placed 6th and 9th in the 2010 STAA All-America Program.

ATHENS, Ohio (June 10, 2010)—Brian Boesch and Caleb Troop, both juniors majoring in broadcast journalism in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, have placed sixth and ninth in the 2010 Sportscasters Talent Agency of America (STAA) All-America Program.

The program, according to the STAA Web site, honors the best collegiate radio sportscasters in the nation.

“There were over 400 entries, and we got two in the top ten,” said Tom Hodson, the school’s director. “We matched Syracuse and Northwestern (in numbers), and both of our students are juniors. They will both compete again next year.”

According to the OHIO Official Athletic Site, Boesch provided radio color and play-by-play for Ohio Baseball, halftime radio features for Bobcat football and men's basketball broadcasts, in-stadium and in-arena promotions for Ohio Athletics’ Marketing department, reported for Bobcat TV, and is the current sports director for WATH and WXTQ in Athens. Troop served as the sideline radio broadcaster for Ohio Football last season, also providing 2008-09 halftime radio features for Bobcat football and basketball. He also served as the fill-in radio play-by-play voice for Ohio’s women's basketball program, and contributed segments for Bobcat TV. The host of the Jim Schaus Radio Show on the SportsFan, Troop is the former sports director for WATH/WXTQ and worked extensively with WOUB-TV this year.

For Boesch, who earned the title of All-American with his sixth-place finish, the nod is proof he’s on the right path but that there is more to be done.

“It was really cool to see my name up there with some of the best collegiate broadcasters in the nation,” Boesch said. “Caleb and I have worked together since freshman year, and it was wonderful to see both of our names there and so high on the list. The Scripps program beats any other, and the people there have been instrumental in getting me to this point. But there’s still work to be done.”

Hodson, who has worked with both Boesch and Troop, feel s a personal connection to the students. “I really take pride in these young men,” he said. “I have done sports broadcasting with both of them for three years.”

Troop says the respect is mutual and is also proud to share the honor with his friend.

“It’s neat to be recognized with Brian since we are good friends, and we work together often on these journalistic endeavors,” he said. “I couldn’t have done it without the help of those in the Scripps School, especially guys like Tom Hodson and Bob Stewart. This recognition makes me want to work even harder to be successful in my career going forward.”

Boesch is currently serving as the play-by-play voice of the Burlington Royals, a minor league baseball team in Burlington, North Carolina.
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Troop was persuaded to attend OHIO over Missouri and Northwestern by Hodson and says he is glad of it. He’s headed back to his hometown to intern with FOX Sports Midwest on television coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals.

“I watch all their games, so it will be great to be side by side with them all summer,” Troop says.

For a complete list of winners, visit http://www.staatalent.com/all-america/.