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Alex Kim: The Mystery Voice at UCSB Basketball Games

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Carrie Han
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Rachel Miller
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCSB chapter.

Have you ever been curious about the charismatic commentator for UCSB basketball games? If so, we would like to introduce you to Alex Kim, a second year from La Cañada. He is currently a volunteer at KCSB 91.9 FM as a writer and broadcaster. His love for the game has lead him to venture out to a different, but still exhilarating, side of basketball.

What is your main priority as a writer and broadcaster for KCSB?

We have a radio show three times a week, two of them are just quick 10-minute sports reviews of UCSB sports for the week and one 30-minute show where we discuss sports topics that don’t get as much attention. We do this because the whole concept of the radio station is to be alternative and give more attention to the stories that don’t get as much publicity.

 

Do you broadcast for sports games other than basketball? If so, what are the sports that you have broadcasted for?

Yes, we cover all major sports: men’s and women’s volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball and softball. No one person is assigned to one specific sport so I’ve been able to broadcast for every different sport.

 

How do you prepare for a typical day on the job? Whether it’s for a 10-minute radio show, or broadcasting a UCSB game? Same? Different?

They are both similar and different in many ways. For the 10-minute shows, I write the stories I’ve been assigned and proofread and practice the stories before going on air. For the discussion shows, I research whatever it is we are discussing for the show and make sure to have enough knowledge to have a conversation about it. For the games, I make sure to research the opposing team ahead of time, as there is a short 15-minute preview show prior to each sporting event. This helps to learn about the players on the other team so that when the game starts, you are able to say their names quickly since we are required to speak swiftly.

 

How did you come upon this opportunity?

I saw flyers around school that advertised KCSB and also received emails from the school that had the same message so I went to a meeting, and after going through some paperwork and taking a test I was good to go!

 

What does it take to become part of the KCSB team?

This may sound very corny, but responsibility, diligence, and a passion to discuss and cover sports.

 

What is your favorite part of being a broadcaster and writer?

Definitely covering the basketball games because I grew up loving and playing the sport, so naturally that is my favorite thing to do.

 

What is one surprising fact that you would like to share?

Despite this being my primary extra curricular activity, I’m actually majoring in biochemistry. I think this is surprising because I feel that when you get to college your major defines who you are.

 

What is next for the UCSB Basketball team?

They will be in Anaheim starting this Thursday for the Big West Conference Tournament, which is the conference they are in comprising of 8 other teams. In order to move into the NCAA Tournament, they need to win in order to make it to the top 64. Since UCSB is considered a mid major, the only way for them to an automatic bid is to win their smaller conference tournament. I feel that they have a good shot as they are currently the number two seeded team for their conference tournament! 

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Rachel is a senior at UC Santa Barbara and studies Communication and Global Peace and Security. Rachel is from a small, beautiful town in southern California called Palos Verdes. However, Palos Verdes is just one of the many places Rachel has lived. Rachel spent her childhood moving and traveling all over the world, living in places such as Indianapolis, Indiana; Santiago, Chile; Vienna, Austria; and Orlando, Florida. Rachel has found her heart and her home in California, choosing to spend her college years in sunny Santa Barbara. However, Rachel continued her wanderlust when she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain in Fall 2012. At UCSB, Rachel is an immensely dedicated and involved member of her sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she held the positions of Panhellenic Delegate, Inter-Greek Counselor, Rho Gam, and a member of the Nominating Slate. Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is a passion of Rachel's, as she is their Social Media Coordinator as well as an active and proud member. As a member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Society, Rachel is able to implement her prowess and affinity for communication and communication-related issues. When Rachel is not writing, participating in Kappa events, or volunteering, you can find her in the gym, on the soccer field, watching Modern Family, or cooking. Rachel's love for sports, food, and writing often times go hand-in-hand, as one may see in her weekly blogs. For the past two summers, Rachel has been freelance writing for the Los Angeles Times, and hopes to continue her career pursuit of journalism after she graduates. Rachel is elated to be a part of Her Campus's fabulous team and loves every moment of it!