I Follow: Dave Pasch
Editor’s note: I Follow is all about ESPN employees on Twitter: what they tweet, whom they follow and how you can interact socially with anyone and everyone.
ESPN play-by-play commentator Dave Pasch wears so many hats at ESPN, it’s hard to believe he has time for Twitter.
Pasch is one of ESPN’s most diverse commentators, contributing to ESPN’s TV and radio coverage of the NBA, college football and college basketball. He also is the radio voice of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.
This past Tuesday, Pasch called the Rose Bowl on ESPN Radio. This Friday, Pasch will join analyst Jeff Van Gundy to call ESPN’s “Battle for L.A.” showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Front Row had the opportunity to chat with him about his thoughts on the “Battle for L.A.” and how his use of Twitter it keeps him “in the moment.”
Twitter handle: @DavePasch
Following: 425*
Followers: 3,716*
*As of Jan. 4, 2013
In what ways do you use Twitter?
I mainly use Twitter to keep up to date on sports news. Since I regularly cover four different sports — NBA, college football, college basketball and the NFL — Twitter is a quick and easy way to stay “in the moment” on anything and everything in the sports world. I also use Twitter to interact with fans, many of whom have great opinions on the games and players. Some tweet me their thoughts and criticisms on my announcing, most of the time respectfully, which I welcome.
What’s it like preparing for a nationally televised Lakers-Clippers game, especially now that the Clippers have the better won-loss record?
First of all, Staples Center will be electric tonight because the Clippers finally feel like they have some bragging rights. Of course, Lakers fans think that until the Clippers make a deep playoff run, the Lakers are still L.A.’s team. I think this game means more than most regular-season games to each team. That means Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul — the faces of their respective teams — will be at their best.
How has Twitter changed your job?
Twitter has really helped my “on the go” preparation for games. If you’re following the right people, you can stay “in the moment” on breaking news, scores, injury updates, etc. Twitter is also a good avenue to hear the heartbeat of the fan. As a play-by-play announcer, my job is to serve the fan, and Twitter is one barometer I use to gauge the fan’s opinion on a certain game or topic.
How do you determine whether to follow someone on Twitter?
Since I use Twitter to help with news gathering in preparation for a game, I like to follow the national and local journalists that cover a specific sport and team. I follow several different ESPN and NBA Twitter accounts for different and interesting league, team and player statistics that help me get ready for a game.
