Eric Zeier has been on the University of Georgia radio broadcast for seven seasons, serving as co-pilot to Bulldogs play-by-play announcer Scott Howard. As the analyst, he has seen many wins and a few loses but as a former player, he has a certain perspective on being critical on the air.
“There is some balancing,’’ said Zeier. “But because I played the game, I know how challenging it can be and I have a good perspective of each position and what the opponent is able to do. A lot of people think that if something bad happens in a game, it is self-inflicted, that our players or coaches are not performing. That’s not the case all the time. I have specific criticism that has to do with what is going on at the time of the play.’’
Does Zeier ever second-guess some of his in-game comments?
“Sure, but I will go back and correct myself,’’ he said “You get caught up in the heat of the game and there are times when I am wrong.’’
The Georgia game-day radio broadcast is one of the biggest in the country, typically starting as many as four hours before the game and going on at least two hours after it is over. WSB is the flagship station, its signal hitting more than 35 states and Canada. While Larry Munson will always be known as the voice of the Bulldogs, Zeier said he really enjoys working with Howard.
“Scott is fantastic but it is not just him,” he said. “There are so many people involved in the broadcast and a lot of preparation is done to get ready for it. I know if I haven’t seen a team play in a while, I will go in and watch tape on that team in addition to all the printed information we get on the teams. A lot of hours go into that.’’
