Meet the 2019 Award Winners: South Carolina Sportscaster Scott Eisberg

12.17.2020

Today’s award spotlight is on NSMA 2019 South Carolina Sportscaster of the Year, Scott Eisberg. Eisberg is the Sports Director at ABC News 4 on WCIV-TV. The University of South Carolina graduate’s first job was at WYFF-TV in the sports department. There he covered Clemson and USC, having followed the Carolina Panthers on multiple occasions including to Washington for the NFC Championship game as well. He then moved over to the station WOLO as the weekend sports anchor before moving to his current station in 2007.

While at ABC News 4, Eisberg has covered two Clemson NCAA Football National Championships Games, more than 15 college football bowl and playoff games, and the Gamecocks in the NCAA Basketball Final Four. He was promoted to Sports Director at the station in 2013. This is Eisberg’s second time winning South Carolina Sportscaster of the Year, his first time being in 2017.

Eisberg briefly spoke with NSMA on his career and other thoughts regarding the industry.

NSMA: What was your career path like on the way to your current position?

Scott Eisberg: I interned here in Charleston at this station. The guys I interned for always looked out for me, and set me up with Geoff Hart at WYFF in Greenville, an amazing mentor. I was the sports reporter/photographer for 1.5 years at WYFF, then weekend sports anchor at WOLO in Columbia for a year. I got the call I'd dreamed of to move back to Charleston and the rest is history.

NSMA: What is your favorite thing about your job?

SE: Telling stories of the Lowcountry. Localizing so many amazing sports figures and their ties to our beautiful area. I treasure my relationships with our local HS and college coaches. The best thing to me is forging a relationship with somebody starting their career in Charleston, whether it be an HS athlete or a local coach. Then, seeing them at the top level of their sport, on a national stage, and still having that original relationship with them is such a gratifying feeling. I love when it all comes full circle.

NSMA: What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

SE: Surely my 2 NSMA South Carolina Sportscaster of the Year Awards, and this year, winning a regional Murrow Award for our coverage of John McKissick's Funeral. He was a legend in our area, 62 years as an HSFB coach at 1 HS. I knew him so well, he meant so much to that town-- I felt like I was absolutely at my best professionally that day because I had so much real-life experience and anecdotal information to work with. Superficially, covering 4 National Championship games in football and an NCAA basketball tournament was great.

NSMA: What is the best piece of advice you have for people pursuing a career in sports media?

SE: Stories. Stories. Stories. It's not about you, it's about the athletes. Get to know them. Fewer numbers in stories. More anecdotes in stories. Humanize them. Do your absolute best to lead local every single night. Respect everybody. Pick up a camera and shoot. Carry the tripod if you have a photographer. Treat the person who runs the studio camera or teleprompter the exact same as the general manager of the station. Everyone plays a part!


Written by NSMA Intern, Brian Cohen

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