ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Ben Poplin
BY ALEX CORNETT
GOING, GOING, GONE
Moments in sports are created offered. With Kennesaw State by the athletes. Memories hosting 16 Division-1 sports that in sports are created by the all broadcast through different announcers. Kennesaw State media, as well as radio stations, University graduate Ben Poplin newspapers and magazines, is creating these memories in KSU offers numerous ways to his dream job for his dream gain experience in Journalism organization. He is the voice of and Citizen Media. Poplin got the Rome Braves, the Class - A involved with KSU’s radio station, minor league affiliate for the newspaper and magazine. Atlanta Braves, on WLAQ 1410. He also did broadcasting for Poplin completed his degree in women’s basketball, volleyball, Communication with a focus in softball, soccer, men’s basketball, Journalism and Citizen Media in baseball and lacrosse. the summer of 2012. “I knew from “I was not able to work on the a young age that broadcasting school newspaper at my previous was my passion,” said Poplin. “I school because of my freshman would mute videogames as a kid status, which really made me and do the play-by-play myself.” focus on getting my hands on Poplin attributes his success to everything at KSU,” said Poplin. the resources Now, I KNEW FROM A YOUNG and experience Poplin has he gained at AGE THAT BROADCASTING just wrapped Kennesaw State. WAS MY PASSION. I WOULD up his first Two classes year of MUTE VIDEOGAMES AS A KID broadcasting stood out as most profound. AND DO THE PLAY-BY-PLAY for the Rome A sports Braves, MYSELF. broadcasting which class with Professor David Brody produced a wealth of experience. helped Poplin understand the He called about two innings of a opportunities of the industry game with Bob Costas. As Poplin along with the challenges he will tried to keep his composure in overcome. The interviewing class the presence of such a prominent with Professor Thomas Gray is name in the industry, he was able where he gained a skill used daily to ‘pick’ Costas’ brain about his in broadcast journalism. Poplin journey to his successes as well is thankful that he learned there as just talk baseball. “I got so is an art to knowing the right nervous around [Bob Costas] that questions to ask so that you get a I forgot to get anything signed great story. by him,” said Poplin. “Although, Outside of the classroom, two innings of broadcasting Poplin took advantage of every baseball with him is better than opportunity the university memorabilia any day!” 25
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Poplin also got to meet major league players as they rehabbed to prepare to return to the majors. Brian McCann (who started his career with the Rome Braves), Brandon Beachy and Paul Maholm all played games for the Rome Braves in the 2013 season and, of course, were interviewed by Poplin. Poplin also called a game against a New York Yankees farm team that featured Alex Rodriguez, as he tried to return to the majors. He also got the opportunity to meet former Atlanta Braves Manager Bobby Cox at the ‘Futures vs. Braves’ game announement that took place in Rome. Ben Poplin has used every opportunity to get closer to his goal of becoming a Major League Baseball announcer. He has shown that students can combine experiences offered at Kennesaw State University with the ‘hands-on’ approach of most Communication classes that present real-world scenarios to propel their careers to their desired potential.
Ben Poplin announcing a Berry College football game in 2013.