Sept. 26, 2007

Pocatello, ID --- For Idaho State University's new Voice of the Bengals, Russ Eisenstein seemly has it all, and most of it at his fingertips. Just 27, he has a broadcaster's voice, an athlete's body, and computer equipment and technological knowledge that would make a geek squad member jealous. He's missing just one thing....a close game to call for Bengal fans.

"So far we've had to fill some time at the end of games, but this week might be the week for a great finish, and I can't wait to bring that to the Bengal faithful," said Eisenstein. Yet, despite the lack of a close game (all three games have effectively been over at halftime this season), Eisenstein has already made his mark on the ISU campus, from professional quality production to the new broadcast booth section on the internet, and the fan base is quickly reaping the benefits.

Fans who into the broadcasts on KSEI 930 AM in Pocatello, or on any of the ISU Bengal Radio Network's other stations throughout Southern Idaho, first notice the opening segments, which are pre-produced by Eisenstein and feature music and player sound bytes that kick each broadcast off. At halftime, Mark Liptak's "Inside the Huddle" has been revamped by Eisenstein, moving from a straight interview to an intercut interview with clips and music that rivals anything in Division I.

Eisenstein has brought a lot of innovations from previous stops with the Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League, and the NBA's New Orleans Hornets, and it all comes natural for him.

"Sports was a lifestyle from the very beginning. My first college game was when I was nine-months old. Since then, it has been sports in person, on TV and on radio," said Russ. "Every bit of information a person could possibly want was at my disposal. Lots of sports broadcasters say they were meant to do it, but can they say they lived and breathed it for their entire lives? Probably not. I certainly can. It has been my family's hobby and passion. I was meant to do this."

Along with Eisenstein, Brad Bugger has returned to the broadcast booth, and the two have quickly meshed on the air. Both announcers are meticulous in their preparations, and it has shown.

"Sports on radio has come a long way," said Eisenstein. "And there is so much a broadcaster can do to inform and entertain the listener. The key is to not be lazy. Through planning, interviews, writing, editing and creativity, a broadcast can include more now than ever. The listener deserves the best product possible, and if it takes a little longer to achieve the goal, so be it."

The biggest change in everything has been the addition of a new segment of the ISU's website www.isubengals.com, and that is the Bengal Broadcast Booth link. From there, fans can access the Bengal Sports Minute, a daily news report, the Bengal Rewind, which is a highlight reel from the previous week's game, Eisenstein's blog, and View from the Booth, which features pictures from around the venues that ISU has played in.

Fans can also listen to all of the opening segments and halftime interviews there as well, and everything is in downloadable MP3 format, perfect for iPods and portable MP3 players, and wallpapers are also available. The use of the internet to allow fans to access as much Bengal content is of major importance to Eisenstein.

"The Internet allows elements from a broadcast to live past sign off. Our pieces are intended to inform, entertain, and to evoke emotion. The opens, halftimes, rewinds, sports minutes, and so much more can be archived on the website to be relived whenever the listener wants. This is all part of being "big time" in every way possible. It is my goal to elevate ISU's broadcasts to the highest level, and we are well on our way."

Another innovation brought by Eisenstein is the purchase of a portable radio transmitter, meaning that fans at home games can hear the game on a special in-house frequency of 102.1 FM. It also means that when Bengal fans head on the road this week to Bozeman, they can bring their radios and listen to the ISU broadcast, which will always be on an open station near the 102.1 signal, instead of the Montana State broadcast.

Here's hoping those fans get to hear Russ call his first great Bengal finish.