Scott Galetti's hiring couldn't have come at a better time. In fact, the timing was so good, I'm going to start referring to Athletics Director Paul Krebs as "Timex" or Deion Sanders' nickname - "Prime Time."
I say this because in order for the Lobos to move up and become a more attractive, marketable, legitimate contender, we needed a new voice - a mover, a shaker, someone who could reach a broader array of listeners.
I hate to say it, but Mike Roberts, even though he was a nice guy, didn't engage many listeners under the age of 30. As a young gun, a new type of sports listener, I had a difficult time adjusting to his vintage style. Even my Pops, who's part of Generation X, said he had a hard time staying awake through the broadcasts. Roberts just didn't have that X-factor, that special stuff he needed to adjust to the changing scenery.
Can we really blame the guy?
In the TV era, an era that has seen a steady decline in newspaper distribution and profitability, radio broadcast has been able to stay afloat primarily because it has adapted to the times. Talking heads, hosts, shock-jocks and sports talk radio have all made the necessary adjustments. A perfect example of a highly successful journalist who parlayed his way from newspaper to radio to TV is Stephen A. Smith. Likewise, his style is also an indication of the times.
I'll admit it: I'm part of the Stephen A. fan club. I have a badge affirming my loyalty and an official certificate of my membership posted on my wall. But really, look at it. Save for a few times when Stephen A. talks about sports in a strong, informative manner, the other times he's usually busy pontificating and ranting to the point of being dubbed "Screamin' A" Smith. He seldom says anything without hitting another octave. But he's entertaining. Don't believe me? Check out his Stephon Marbury tirade on ESPN Radio, compliments of YouTube. That's the fork in the road sports talk has come to: We value style over substance. I say it unashamed and with much truth backing me. If you don't believe me, refer to the good ol' acronym: ESPN. ESPN stands for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. Notice the entertainment part parked at the beginning.
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Forgive me, I digress. But that's why this hire is so great for UNM. Not only are we getting a guy who has a wide base for sports, but I have no doubts he'll be entertaining. He'll be someone I can listen to. And at the same time, he'll be informative and appealing to some fans who don't like much flavor in their lives. He'll appeal to the statboys made famous by another great ESPN show, Pardon the Interruption. Scott Galetti will appeal to the Albuquerque boys, Boyz II Men, Soulja Boys, all-I-do-is-listen-to-the-radio boys and myself. He'll navigate the pitfalls, exploit the loopholes and bind a Lobo nation. In his own way, he'll help Steve Alford turn the Lobos into a college hoops phenom, provided the Lobos are as good as they appear to be this year. He'll broadcast Lobo football, get Rocky Long the respect he deserves for turning a program around and maybe even help some of the Aggie broadcasters read our players' names right. (Sorry, I couldn't avoid putting another Aggie-bashing proverb in my column.) We'll start (OK, maybe just me) callin' him Scott "The Machete" Galetti because he'll slice, dice, analyze and dissect Lobo football and basketball the way we always wanted, the way I always dreamed of hearing it. OK, my editors are telling me I need to stop because I'm starting to blur the line between overzealous fan and psychotic, sport-crazed stalker. Anyway, as a Lobo listener, student and journalist, I'm just glad to have Scott Galetti on board.
Welcome to Loboland, Mr. Galetti.
