On the air …

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WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND — Ben Austin, son of Tara and Scott Austin of Houlton, fields question during “Overtime” on ETIN.
Houlton graduate co-host of sports talk show in Boston
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    Getting his start in print and radio in Houlton, Ben Austin is taking that experience and building upon it, while studying at Emerson College in Boston.
    Austin, the son of Tara and Scott Austin, hosts a sports talk show called “Overtime” on ETIN with three other students.
    “During my freshman year at college, my roommate and I were trying to think of different ways to get involved around campus,” he said. “We were both already on television sports debate shows, and I was working for a magazine, so the idea for a sports radio show came up.”
    Throughout the rest of their freshman year, the two would mull the idea around, but it wouldn’t take shape until Austin’s sophomore year.
    “We actually talked to two of our friends about making a show,” he said. “After that, the idea really took off.”
    Austin recalled the four friends sitting in class trying to decide on what to call the show. They came up with several possibilities, narrowing it down to “Overtime.” After getting the name down, the boys set up studio time, made a website, a Facebook page and a Twitter account.
    “We all were just really excited about it,” said Austin. “We wanted to make it as professional as we could.”
    The crew is made up of Austin (co-host, print journalism major, 2012), Ryan Pfleiderer (host, broadcast journalism, 2012, from Palo Alto, Cal.), Austin Fontanella (co-host, broadcast journalism, 2012, from Pelham, N.H.), and Ben Barker (producer, broadcast journalism, 2012, from Tyngsboro, Mass.).
    “The show is basically the typical sports talk show,” said Austin. “Obviously since most of us are from New England, and it’s based out of Boston, the show focuses on New England sports teams, but Ryan being from the West Coast gives a good outsider perspective.”
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COMING TOGETHER — Ben Austin, far right, joins his co-hosts Ryan Pfleiderer, Austin Fontanella and Ben Barker in the studio. The foursome started a sports talk show in 2009 and welcome listeners to call in and air their viewpoints on subjects discussed on “Overtime.” The show is broadcast on ETIN each Sunday from 8-10 p.m. and can be accessed through the Internet.
    “Overtime” on ETIN is broadcast each Sunday from 8-10 p.m. The crew discusses a variety of sports topics and encourage callers to share their thoughts and also has visitors from time to time. The show can be accessed via the Internet.
    “The part we are all most outwardly proud of is the conversations with callers and interviews we’ve been able to do,” said Austin. “We would all probably be arguing about sports anyways, but to be able to talk to an NBA coach or Sports Illustrated editor is something we wouldn’t have had the chance to do had we not created the show.”
    The next special guest with the “Overtime” crew will be Mark Van Eeghen, former Pro Bowl running back who earned two Super Bowl rings in the 1980s.
    “We always love having people who are listening to the show call in,” said Austin. “It’s great hearing their input. I’m sure people tend to get sick of hearing the same voices each week, so we encourage anyone who wants to call in to do so.”
    Preparation is necessary by each of the crew to make the best show possible for the listeners. Austin and his friends put in the time and effort to launch a successful radio talk show.
    “We all meet about an hour before the show to write up the run-down, compile and print out notes and stats, and write some of the segments and news updates that we play during the show,” Austin said. “After the show, we all usually get together and talk about how it went and what we need to adjust. We also all write for the website on a weekly basis roughly. And every so often, we update our introductions and sound bites.”

    For the crew, the sports talk show is something they are passionate about, but it also requires commitment from full-time students who are already stressed with schoolwork, jobs and other activities.
    “Between my internship, classes, and other on-campus activities, it can be hard to keep up with everything each week,” Austin admitted. “It’s always great when we add a new segment, or make big improvements to the show, and seeing how the listeners react to it. We really would all be debating (arguing) about sports all the time regardless of whether or not we had a show, so to have a productive outlet for that is great.”
    Even though Austin is forging his own path in the media industry, he hasn’t forgotten his roots.
    “I would definitely have to say that my background in this kind of thing goes back to Houlton,” he said. “Whether it was broadcasting Lady Shire basketball games for WHOU with Ken [Holck], or reporting on other sports for the Pioneer Times, the experiences and opportunities I was given in Houlton are what drove me to get involved with something like this here in Boston.”