Students demonstrate 'Good sports' manship in producing show

BY Tim Sturtridge

The filming of a sports show is giving students invaluable hands-on experience at the campus television studio.

“ Good Sports with Chris Terrence” is filmed by Fresno State students biweekly, on Tuesdays, and is aired each Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on KGMC channel 43, cable channel 10. The show features local sports coverage and discussion. Supported and aired by Cocola Broad-

casting, the show focuses on sports while retaining a light-hearted feel.

“ It’s interviews/variety with a sports basis,” “Good Sports” producer Darren Atamian said. “It’s still rooted in sports, but it covers more than that, too.”

Members of the Fresno State television production club B# (B sharp) participate in the filming and production of the show. B# is advised by mass communication and journalism department chair Don Priest.

Bader Shaaban is majoring in advertising and is reveling in the opportunity he and his classmates have been given.

“ It’s a great experience to work with this kind of show,’ Shaaban said. “We have sports from all over Fresno, we had the volleyball and basketball teams, coaches from high school football and lots more local sport.”

Shaaban, an international student from Kuwait, said he hopes the time he spends working on the show will prepare him for a job in film or television.

Students receive assistance from Fresno State graduate Bob Martin. Martin has been coming to campus for 20 years to help students develop their skills.

“ When we bring in outside events such as this, the students are exposed to something completely different,” Martin said. “It all adds to the learning they already get in class.”

Martin, who brings in extra equipment that is used on the show, stressed the importance of students needing to get hands-on practice.

It is important to get the exercise as well as being taught the theory in classrooms, Martin said.

“ We don’t expect the students to be experts, we just want them to get to know how each segment of the show works.”

Local sports broadcaster and author Chris Terrence hosts “Good Sports.” Atamian referred to Terrence as “a local celebrity.”

“ The last show we did here, going back to 1993-94, we had a great time,” Terrence said. “The students are still really interested and creative and a lot of fun to work with.”

Terrence devised the format of the show. When the semester is over he hopes to return to Las Vegas, where he has worked in broadcasting before.

“ Chris really wanted a show that put sports in a positive light,” Atamian said. “He just wants it to be a fun, more light-hearted show. For the most part, he just wants to spotlight the local sports in this community.”

Terrence explained his purpose for the show.

“ We try to do a little more than just sports, we try to create a happy atmosphere in the studio,” Terrence said. “We have Larry Gittens on piano, he’s played with Stevie Wonder and still plays with Kool & the Gang.”

Terrence was enjoying filming at Fresno State and appreciated working with such talented students and faculty.

“ It’s great to be back here working with Don Priest, who’s just a great guy,” Terrence said. “And the crew are just brilliant.”