Send us Fan Mail The highlight reel version of a broadcasting career skips the hard parts: the ignored emails, the tiny paychecks, the lonely drives, and the weeks where you’re not sure anyone is even listening. We wanted the real story, so we sat down with Matt Schumacher, a St. Louis native who worked his way from local high school coverage and minor league baseball to becoming a national play-by-play voice on ESPN and the SEC Network. Matt walks us through the moments that shaped him, from getting cut as a high school athlete and finding a new identity in track, to sending out hundreds of job applications and finally saying yes to a $35-per-game sideline reporting gig just to get reps. He explains how connections actually work in sports media, why the minor league grind builds uncommon camaraderie, and what it felt like to get the call that placed him on an SEC prime crew. We also get into the craft: why there’s never a perfect broadcast, how he watches games back like film study, and how preparation becomes confidence when the lights come on. We go wider, too, into the state of college sports, including NIL, the transfer portal, roster spending that’s exploding, and why Matt thinks football and basketball are approaching a tipping point that forces a more stable set of rules. He breaks down the arguments around college football playoff expansion, what parity could look like, and how social media changes the pressure on broadcasters and players alike. If you care about sports broadcasting, career perseverance, or the future of college football, you’ll get practical insight and a few laugh-out-loud grind stories along the way. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s chasing a hard dream, and leave a review to help more listeners find us. What part of the grind do you think most people underestimate? From excavation and grading to site preparation and underground projects, Mike and the team at St. Louis Excavation bring experience, reliability, and hard work to every job. Proudly serving the St. Louis area, they're committed to quality work and getting the job done right. Elevate with Elsner is proudly sponsored by St. Louis Excavation. Supporting local businesses that help build St. Louis from the ground up! When sewer and drain problems strike, you need someone you can trust. That's where Kevin and the team at River City Sewer & Drain come in! Proudly serving the St. Louis area, River City Sewer & Drain helps homeowners tackle sewer and drain issues with dependable service, honest communication, and a commitment to getting the job done right. From clogged drains to unexpected sewer problems, River City is a local company you can count on. 🎙️ PROUDLY SPONSORED BY RIVER CITY SEWER & DRAIN Elevate with Elsner is proudly sponsored by River City Sewer & Drain, a locally owned and operated St. Louis-area company led by Kevin Mahoney. Serving the community for over 20 years, Kevin and his team specialize in sewer camera inspections, drain cleaning, hydro jetting, sewer line locating, and more. 📍 Serving St. Louis, St. Charles & Jefferson Counties 📞 636-282-8288 🌐 https://www.rivercityseweranddrains.com 🚨 24/7 Emergency Service Available SAINT LOUIS EXCAVATION Proudly sponsored by Mike Petzhold and the team at Saint Louis Excavation! From excavation and digging to underground pipe replacement and site work, Mike and his crew tackle the tough jobs that keep projects moving forward. Saint Louis Excavation — Local Experts. Proven Results. Website: https://stlexcavation.com Phone: (314) 709-6219 Email: info@stlexcavation.com Support the businesses that support Elevate with Elsner!
