The most inspiring moments from this Thursday night NCAA college basketball game between Eastern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in Charleston, Illinois may not happen on the court, but on the announcer’s table.
Bryce Weiler of Claremont, Illinois, completely blind, will provide radio commentary during part of the game along with other commentators.
A huge sports fan, Weiler is an accomplished commentator on a variety of college sports. However, for him it is much more than a concert or a game. It’s about being successful in life despite great obstacles and getting the opportunity to do so from others.
“Anyone can be successful in life if they surround themselves with people who believe in them and want them to be successful,” Weiler told Fox News Digital in a recent telephone interview.
Bryce Weiler, a blind sportscaster, holds the phone to his ear while advertising multiple tickets to the Georgia Institute of Technology during a game against the University of Illinois at Chicago at Curtis Granderson Stadium in Chicago on April 28, 2017.
(Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service vía Getty Images)
The broadcasters together with him have also played a key role in achieving his goals.
The 30-year-old Weiler (who walks with a cane) has played more than 150 college basketball games in his career. He has also commented on college baseball, softball, volleyball, and football, as well as minor league baseball.
Weiler has covered men’s and women’s basketball at Western Illinois University; Southern Illinois Baseball University at Edwardsville; Men’s Basketball University of Missouri, Kansas City; and more.
However, this is only part of Weiler’s life.
Weiler works as a full-time disability consultant, helping organizations like the Baltimore Orioles and the Latch software company. He is also a co-founder of the Beautiful Lives Project, a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in New York. It helps people with disabilities access meaningful sports, performing arts, visual arts, nature, and more.
It is his burning desire to help others achieve greater opportunities, Weiler emphasized to Fox News Digital, just as he was given opportunities in his own life.
“I listen to the previous matches of each team”
Weiler was born four months early and went blind due to a condition called retinopathy of prematurity. It is an eye disorder that affects some premature babies born before 31 weeks of age.
However, the lack of vision doesn’t stop Weiler.
“Every day I try to give people opportunities because I myself have had wonderful opportunities.”
He prepares carefully for radio appearances. You typically spend 13-15 hours before each game studying team stats and player bios, all of which will help you bring vivid details to the audience.
Weiler complements the styles of other stations; You examine them on a play-by-play basis to determine if they provide a lot of stats or stories. If they are not normally there, then he is ready to provide them.
“I also talk to the head coach of each team before the game,” he said, “and listen to the previous games of each team.”
His preparation for the broadcast sometimes even takes him to the basketball court.
“If I can, I’ll go out and take free throws before the game to see if the rim is loose or tight and how the ball bounces off the rim,” he said.
Weiler prefers to refer to his radio work as “other” rather than “difficult.”
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Weiler graduated from the University of Evansville in Indiana with a degree in sports management and sports communication. Then, in 2016, he earned a master’s degree in sports administration from Western Illinois University. But it was in college that he got the first chance to name the game.
“Bring your photos to life”
Weiler is looking forward to Thursday’s Illinois college basketball for two key reasons: The game will draw TV hosts Joe Pott, who names the Illinois Southern University games in Edwardsville, to the microphones, and Mike Bradd, commentator. from Eastern Illinois University. Weiler will work with them.
“Joe Pott gave me permission to comment [previous games] with him when no one else thought he could, and Mike Bradd gave me vivid descriptions, bringing the images of what was happening on the court to life for me, “Weiler told Fox News Digital.
Bryce Weiler during the commentator’s speech. He was a co-founder of the Beautiful Lives Project, a non-profit organization that empowers people with disabilities to be successful in their areas of interest.
(Beautiful Lives Project)
Pott and Bradd have the same passion for their work with Weiler.
“I’m delighted to announce another game with Bryce,” Pott, director of sports communications and broadcasting at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, said in an email to Fox News Digital. “He makes me a better person playing the game because he makes me be very detailed in my call; I learned a lot about my job and what I call the game based on your feedback when we were working. together before ”.
For Mike Bradd of the Eastern Illinois University College of Communication, Thursday’s game will be his first job with Weiler.
“You have to admire the motivation and dedication he has shown to achieve his goals,” he shared with Fox News Digital via email. “This is an inspiring example of what can be achieved through dedication and hard work.”
No one has had a greater influence on Weiler’s television career than Eastern Illinois University men’s basketball coach Marty Simmons. Weiler first met him when Simmons was training at the University of Evansville when Weiler was a student there; Simmons gave Weiler his first shot at the microphone.
“It changed my life by giving me the opportunity to experience college basketball, be a part of the team and really be able to do what I dreamed of,” Weiler said. “I never thought I could experience college basketball by being blind, but for four years I was able to.”
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Gratitude is mutual.
“I am very fortunate to have him sitting on the bench at the University of Evansville; it embodied every trait that I wanted others in the bank to have, ”Simmons told Fox News Digital by email. “I admire Bryce for everything. His passion to learn, improve and help others inspires everyone who knows him. “
Simmons said Weiler is hosting “one of the best shows ever.” [radio] the listener could wait ”. She added: “He has inspired me and my family over the years.”
“Great friend” and “beautiful life”
Weiler co-founded Beautiful Lives with Anthony Yacovon, the former owner of New Britain Bees, a Connecticut summer college baseball team (yes, Weiler called the games New Britain Bees, too). While the nonprofit’s events are often held in Illinois, Indiana, Texas, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts, Weiler said it hosts events anywhere in the country.
Tony Gionfriddo, National Development Officer for Beautiful Lives, told Fox News Digital in an email that he considers Bryce a “great friend.”
He noted: “With an employment rate of people with disabilities exceeding 80 percent in 2021, we, along with our community partners, are excited to find training and jobs for people with disabilities.”
Far more important to Weiler than any success in court is getting the word out that people with disabilities want trusted opportunities to do what matters.
“It’s not about the game. The point is whether the station will allow me to comment, ”Weiler said.
“I have to do well when given the opportunity, but people have to want to give me the opportunity,” he added.
His main motivation is simple: “Every day I try to give people opportunities, because I myself had great opportunities.”
The January 13, 2022 basketball game between Eastern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville is scheduled for 20:00 CET / 9:00 ET. It’s at the Lantz Arena in Charleston, Illinois; Anyone can tune in to www.weiu.net.
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To learn more about Bryce Weiler, watch this video.
