Those who talk about sports on a big television or radio network are naturally going to be more recognized. At the local level, however, the casual sports talk listener may find it difficult to decipher one voice or personality from another. Some might feel that a lot of the topics get revisited over and over again and then get run back into the ground.

Sports talk radio cannot necessarily control the topics that are in the news, so a lot of the responsibility of keeping content fresh and new falls on the shoulders of the hosts. Here in Kansas City, there is a sports talk show host that is taking that responsibility head-on.

Nick Wright, a native of Kansas City, hosts a program weekday evenings on 610 Sports called "What's Wright with Nick Wright." Wright's story is unique in a few ways, beginning with the fact that he is only 23 years old. "There's a pretty good chance that I'm one of the youngest solo talk show hosts in a top 30 market," said Wright.

Nick Wright

Age is not a hindrance for Wright, but rather a reason to take his job even more seriously. "I really have to be on the money. And I have to be professional and prepared because, if not, it's easy for people to dismiss me as some college kid who lucked into some opportunity." College was something else Wright took very seriously.

After graduating from Barstow School, Wright attended the University of Syracuse. That was a decision he did not take lightly. "Going to Syracuse and the Newhouse School of Public Communications to do sports radio is similar to wanting to be a lawyer and going to Yale Law or wanting to be doctor and going to Harvard Med," Wright explained.

Less than a year after graduating from Syracuse, Wright was hired by 610 Sports, earned a weekend hosting job, and eventually the evening slot Monday through Friday. Wright certainly earned his job but also acknowledges that opportunity came knocking unusually early in his career. "This was a great opportunity. To get a job on the air right out of college is really exceptional. I was fine with going whereever, but they believed in me here, so it was nice for my first job to be in my hometown."

So how is Wright's approach different from that of anybody else who sits behind a microphone for a living? Any talk show host worth their salt will give and support their opinion, but it takes some pliability to be able to consider and entertain opposing views. That is what Wright feels he does best. "What I try to do is look at an issue and see what my point of view is, and then attack my own opinion and see where the holes are."

The sharing of opinions matters more now than it ever has in sports. It is no longer just about scores and stats. Racial prejudice, drugs, and physical assault are just a few of the issues that are associated with sports these days. Wright does not shy away from these sorts of topics. "I'm really into politics. I'm really into social justice. I'm really into issues," he said.

Sports have changed and so has the way that sports are covered. Wright endeavors to approach topics in an informed and educated manner. "I don't think you can be stupid and do this job well. I think you have a responsibility - that if you're going to talk about things other than stats and numbers - to be educated and not ignorant of your surroundings."

Not everybody has the chance to go to Syracuse or the shot at an on-air job right out of college. But for those that want to get into the biz, Wright said that there are some fundamental decisions one should make regardless of his or her path. "If you want to be on the air in radio or TV and you don't absolutely love it, pick something else because it's too hard and there aren't that many jobs out there."

If that harsh reality is not enough to deter you, Wright offers another piece of advice. "Figure out who you are and be that person. The only reason that I have any traction is because I am unapologetically me. When someone isn't confident with who they are and they try to act like they're somebody they're not, listeners hear that immediately and they don't trust you."

The opportunities in Wright's career may have come quickly, but he does not feel that those opportunities came easily. For all of the things that have gone his way to this point, he knows that will not always be the case. "Everyone deals with [positive] surprises occasionally and everyone deals with a lot of disappointment regularly and you can only, in my opinion, withstand that if you love what you're doing. Then again, I'm 23 so what do I know."

Considering Wright's age and his short time out of college, it might be easier to understand why his approach on the air is different. His style is fresh and new because he is literally fresh and new. Some may like him and some may not. Either way, it's all Wright.

"What's Wright with Nick Wright" is broadcast on 610 Sports, Monday through Friday, 6pm to 9pm, unless pre-empted by KU basketball or Royals baseball. You can read Wrigtht's blog at www.whatswright.com. For more information log onto www.610sports.com.

Copyright 2008 Metropolitan Community College