SPORTVIEW
He's running with itWhen NBC first called Bob Neumeier, he was asked if he'd be willing to work on Olympics wrestling and rowing coverage in Athens. "I was flattered and grateful for the opportunity," he said. He was willing to learn the nuances of those sports at the Olympic level and start mastering the pronunciation of hundreds of new names.
Then NBC called back. Network officials were rethinking their lineup and wondered what Neumeier thought of working track and field, one of the prime-time Olympic events. "I was overwhelmed," he said. Not much overwhelms Neumeier. He loves working on NBC's Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup coverage. He's been a TV sports anchor and reporter, called NHL hockey for the Bruins and Whalers, and worked ABC's national hockey telecasts. By day now, he's half of the "Dale & Neumy" show on WEEI (850 AM) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This Olympics business is different. "It's the thrill of a lifetime," he said. "Most anyone who's worked in the radio and TV field as I have -- for more than 30 years now -- longs for the chance to cover the Olympics. And, to be doing it for NBC in such a prestigious event as track and field . . . well, I'm indebted to Dick Ebersol for the opportunity." Ebersol carries the title of Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics and has set the network's policy of concentrating on Olympics, NASCAR, and the NHL. Most years, Neumeier would be at Saratoga this time of year. "Missing the races is a tradeoff I'd make every year," he said. "This is the Olympics. And hopefully, it will be the first of several for me. "That isn't my decision. But this is my opportunity, and I'm planning to make the most of it. I just have to do my job." He was on the track Friday morning for the women's 100-meter trials and early rounds of the heptathlon. "It's very hot in the early sessions," he said. "But the crowds are big, even though they don't look that way on TV. Everyone is crowded up under the roof seeking the shade." He calls his job simple: "I'm a reporter/interviewer. It's my job to ask the appropriate question, listen to the answer, and follow up as necessary." His personality makes it seem easy, but it's a skill few have mastered, especially when it comes to asking the tough questions on live TV. That's why it's interesting when he says, "I'm not Lewis Johnson, Carol Lewis, or Dwight Stones," he said, referring to NBC's track and field commentators. "They're the experts on the athletes and events. And they've been great to me. They've gone out of their way to help me and make me feel part of the group." That bonding came over the winter and spring. "It helped that we had some good runs around the track at Millrose, the Penn Relays, and US trials," he said. "It helped to get to know the athletes and to have them familiar with me." Perhaps his toughest questions came at the trials in Sacramento. "I felt good that, at Sacramento, NBC entrusted me with interviewing Marion [Jones] and Torri Edwards on the whole drug thing," said Neumeier. "It meant a lot to me." His presence meant a lot to the rest of the NBC crew, especially the three former athletes who want no part of asking those hard questions. That's fine with him. "If I follow the story lines, ask the right questions, and hit the points I think people will be interested in, the job gets done," he said. And done well, we'll say.
Hail to NBC
Time will tell
Bill Griffith's e-mail address is griffith@globe.com © Copyright 2004 Globe Newspaper Company.
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