Blind Student Pursues Dream Of Sports Broadcasting Stardom

Brian McCauley dreams of the day when he can make a living behind a microphone as a sports broadcaster or as the host of a sports talk show on radio or television.

It's a dream shared by many young sports fans across the country -- boys and girls who've grabbed a serving spoon and used it as a "microphone" as they described the action in the 9th inning in Game 7 of the World Series or who used a hand-held tape recorder in their bedroom to practice interviewing Paul Pierce, Milan Lucic or Dustin Pedroia.

But few of those youngsters will need to trod the same challenging path as Brian as he seeks to fulfill his dream.

This fall, Brian, 17, will be a senior at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown.

But being sightless since birth hasn't prevented him from growing into a Boston sports fanatic and it hasn't hindered him in his quest to become the next big thing in sports broadcasting.

"People say I have an unforgettable voice," said Brian, who refuses to limit his dreams and ambitions. "I think I'd probably like to be a radio host by day and a rock star by night."

Brian took a big step in that direction a few weeks ago when he debuted "Sports Attack with B Mac" on the Perkins School's fledgling Internet radio station, broadcast out of the school's Grousbeck Center, named for Boston Celtics' co-owner Wyc Grousbeck

"I'd taken a radio course in school (with teacher Matt Carlson) and we just started talking about doing a sports show and we got permission," said Brian.

On the show, Brian and co-host Javier Michel talk all types of sports and take calls from listeners. Eventually, they hope to be able to add in live interviews with celebrity guests.

"I'd love to get KG (Kevin Garnett) on the show or (Dennis) Rodman," he said.

The runs every Monday from 4 to 5 p.m. and has been received very well.

"We've gotten about 10 calls so far," he said.

Brian, who lives with his parents, Pat and Nancy McCauley, and his older sister Brittany, was introduced to sports as a young boy by his dad. It wasn't long before he was hooked and couldn't get enough.

He would sit riveted, listening to the local radio broadcasts of the Boston sports teams like the Red Sox and Celtics. And when there weren't live games being broadcast. Brian looked elsewhere.

"We have a lot of sports DVDs and I like listening to them, too," he said.

But Brian says he also enjoys going to as many games in person as he can. He soaks in the sounds of the game, relying either on a radio or his dad to provide play-by-play.

He got his first big break when he met Lowell Spinners PA Announcer John Rafferty at a Spinners' game three years ago. The two immediately struck up a friendship, as Brian told Rafferty of his dreams of a career behind the microphone.

At the time, Rafferty was also handling PA duties for the Lowell Catholic football games and he invited Brian to come and work with him on a couple of games. With Rafferty acting as "spotter", Brian was a huge hit with the LC fans and the duo has worked home football games for the school ever since.

Brian has honed his interview skills by meeting and chatting with sports and entertainment stars at events such as autograph signings. And like any good sports journalist, Brian is never without his tape recorder. Among his informal interview subjects have been Dave Cowens, Jo Jo White, Charlie Scott, Michael Chiklis, Dennis Rodman and the band Smashmouth.

As he builds the foundation for his career, Brian has also been smart enough to establish connections, including Rafferty and broadcaster Kevin Harland. Recently, he met Ken Casey, lead singer of the Dropkick Murphys. Not only is Brian planning to have Casey as a guest on his show, but Casey invited Brian to attend the band's performance at the Bank America Pavilion on Sept. 21 and join the band on stage for a tune.

Brian knows that if he truly hopes to forge a career in broadcasting he'll need the proper training and his No. 1 choice for college reflects good judgment.

"I'm hoping to go to Emerson (College in Boston)," he said. Emerson has an outstanding communications program and counts among its alumni many people working in television and radio.

So, as he enters his senior year of high school, Brian not only knows what he wants to down with his life, he has a clear plan for how to achieve his dreams.

Truth be told, his vision is a lot better than most 17-year-olds.

"Sports Attack With B Mac" can be heard every Monday from 4 to 5 p.m. at www.perkins.org/radioperkins