23. Ian Fitzsimmons, sideline reporter and talk show host for ESPN Radio

ESPN Radio’s Ian Fitzsimmons (left) taught me a lot when I interned for him in 2001 and 2003. He was the national sideline reporter for my first game at Washington when the Huskies played Auburn in Atlanta in 2018.

On today’s episode of the PXPU Podcast, we talk to ESPN Radio’s Ian Fitzsimmons, who has become an integral member of ESPN Radio’s College Football Game of the Week as a third member of the broadcast crew from the sidelines.

Ian has used his fun-loving personality to create a ton of authentic connections with the players and coaches he covers to become one of the most well-sourced reporters in the industry.

On today's episode:

• (02:36) Early career stories

  • Host's internship experience with Fitzsimmons

  • Origin of "Tolstoy" nickname from over-preparing show notes

  • Working with Kirk Herbstreit

• (04:47) Career advice and persistence

  • "No means maybe or later" philosophy

  • Story of pursuing Dr. J interview for six months

  • Discussion on handling career setbacks and moves

• (08:06) Building professional relationships

  • Balance between persistence and being annoying

  • How to read social cues and maintain professionalism

  • Organic relationship building examples

• (13:07) Working with Sports Information Directors (SIDs)

  • When to use proper channels vs. direct contact

  • Building and maintaining professional relationships

  • Story about relationship with Ben Hartsock

• (20:27) Path to ESPN Radio

  • Linda Cohn connection

  • Role of preparation meeting opportunity

  • Importance of luck combined with hard work

• (25:27) Sideline reporting insights

  • Approach to being a field-level analyst

  • Working as part of three-person broadcast team

  • Importance of knowing personal limitations

• (29:25) Excellence in sideline reporting

  • Importance of observation and listening

  • Taking time to go "ears off" and observe

  • Example of correctly reading player interactions

• (34:49) Closing thoughts

  • Discussion of Theodore Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena"

  • Importance of humility in broadcasting

  • Value of field-level perspective

Coming up on future episodes:

• Ashley Adamson from Big Ten Network talks about acquiring and telling great stories

• Joey McMurry, voice of Oregon men’s basketball on becoming versatile and having a lot to offer at a young age

• A vocal coach

• A mental performance coach

• And much more!

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