Scott Van Pelt Feature Story
Scott Van Pelt Feature Story
November 16, 2021
By Danny Mechamel
Scott Van Pelt: He's Not Tired Yet
Longtime ESPN Sportcenter anchor Scott Van Pelt spoke to a group of aspiring SDSU sports journalists via zoom on Tuesday about what he credits his success to.
SVP said that success in his industry, like most, required a lot of hard work. However, it was his undying love of sports that has led him to where he is today. In his words, “sports on a daily basis still amazes me.”
It is with that love that Van Pelt is able to speak to people who he admires in sports, as he would anybody else. His cool and conversational style of interviewing has become his signature in the sports media world, regardless of who he may be talking to.
“My dad used to have a saying, ‘treat normal people like superstars, treat superstars like normal people.’”
It is with that goal in mind that SVP has been able to build up his reputation and has allowed him the opportunity to present sports to viewers in a unique way: his way.
“Don’t compromise your integrity to get attention,” Van Pelt said. “Just don’t say stuff you don’t mean...If you always say what you mean, then you don’t have to remember your lines.”
His character has allowed him to relate to people on a personal level. He said he isn’t afraid to talk about personal things while on the air, and in fact, thinks that it’s what makes people feel comfortable when speaking to him.
Sports media today has been riddled with hot takes and people who strive to be the loudest in the room. Van Pelt, on the other hand, prides himself on being someone who doesn’t really give hot takes and says that it really isn’t necessary for humans to have an opinion on absolutely everything. There can be things that you just definitively don’t have much to say about or don’t give you any reaction.
“If you have a take on everything, then I don’t care what you say about anything.” Vap Pelt said.
SVP also left the aspiring reporters with some advice on how to get closer to a position like anchoring SportsCenter. He spoke adamantly about how important it is for reporters to actually ask real and specific questions. He added, that we just simply need to be listening; your interview with someone can go in several directions, and there is no problem if you stir clear of your pre-written questions.
He also added that comfortability is key, if you’re comfortable then so will the interviewee. And most importantly, stay patient and don’t forget how much you love sports.
“Everyone wants to score from first on a single. You got to get on first, first.”