One of the consequences of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is that Center Grove athletics lost its voice.
Kevin Conrad, who has served as producer and announcer for the Center Grove Sports Network since 2008, looks forward to some sense of normalcy regarding his job and the athletes and coaches he covers.
This is the time of year Conrad, 49, would be in a press box announcing a Trojan baseball or softball game. He’s also present at track and field meets, boys golf or girls tennis, depending on the significance of the event.
Expectations were high with all six of those teams, based on the athletes returning — and the action right about now would have had Conrad venturing somewhere just about every day had the pandemic not put the sports world on hold.
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The girls and boys track regionals were slated for this past Tuesday and Thursday, respectively; the girls tennis semistate would have been set for today, weather permitting, with baseball and softball sectionals also going on through the weekend.
As much as he’s missing the action, Conrad understands that it’s not all about him.
“For me, I’m just very saddened for the seniors who lost their spring sports season,” he said. “I’m trying to bring recognition to the seniors with a sports show where I interview the coach and the seniors to talk about losing their season, their time at Center Grove and the next chapters of their lives.”
The show highlighting the Trojans’ boys golf squad, which was to be led by seniors Alex Heck, Peyton Short and Caleb Tidd, aired on May 3. All five Trojans seniors were interviewed, as were head coach Matt Rodman and assistant Cale Hoover.
“It’s most important for those five seniors,” Rodman said. “It maybe gave them closure and let them know they were important members of the program for four years, not just three. Anything just for them to still be in the moment gives them motivation to finish the school year strong.”
Due to the pandemic, interviews were conducted by Conrad by using a Zoom video conference.
“The kids really seemed to enjoy it,” Conrad said. “We were going to have a great spring sports season, and I’m always impressed with the Center Grove student-athletes. They are very well-spoken and interview so well.
“The more they talk and do this, the better they get.”
Conrad spotlighted Trojan girls tennis on May 10, a show that included five of coach Debby Burton’s six seniors. He hopes to do shows focusing on Center Grove’s remaining spring sports teams in the near future.
The shows have ranged from 45 to 60 minutes.
Heck, who will be attending Valparaiso University to play golf, appreciates the way Conrad covers not only his sport, but all of them.
“He’s the voice and face of Center Grove athletics, and he knows so much about what we’ve accomplished,” Heck said. “It was great for us to be able to share our favorite memories over the last four years and what the coaches have meant to us.”
Conrad doesn’t know when high school sports will resume, but he looks forward to returning to his comfort zone of promoting Center Grove athletics to the best of his ability.
“To me, it’s going to be awesome,” Conrad said. “That day is really going to be rewarding and good for the community, too. Just a lot of positives.”
