July 24, 2003 - OH MY GOD!!! What can I say? I am absolutely speechless at this moment.  I feel like I am going to wake up tomorrow and winning the Walk-On Tryouts 20 minutes ago will all have been a dream. 

Kathryn Tappen is welcomed to the CSTV team by the Walk-On Tryouts judges who she impressed for two straight days of grueling tryouts.

When I signed up for this event two months ago I was ready to go. I was nervous, but I also had confidence that I had what CSTV was looking for. When I saw my competition, that all changed! My competition here at the audition was exceptional. It was great meeting so many new people. It also made me realize that I have to be on my toes every second while doing this job because there are people out there who have just as much talent, charisma, and charm.   

YesterdayÌs first round was awesome; advancing to the final round alone was incredible.  But today was the true test. The final 10 people went through what I would call Ïsportscaster boot camp.Ó  We arrived early this morning; now 13 hours later, I am exhausted, thrilled, tired, and wide-awake all at the same time. I truly feel like this is my greatest accomplishment. 

This morning we were given 30 minutes to write a 60-second sports news report that we had to read off the teleprompter. The CSTV crew invented two stories for us to report: Michael Jordan returning to coach North Carolina and the NCAA starting a 16-team football playoff. Even though I knew the topics well, I froze for about 10 minutes before I could figure out what to write.

We then went to private interviews with CSTV executives, followed by an introduction to the celebrity judges: Bonnie Bernstein (CBS), Gus Johnson (CBS), Sid Rosenberg (WFAN), and Brian Baldinger (former NFL player and current broadcaster). 

I was thrilled to see the judges, since I have admired much of their work for so long.  But they also brought out more of my nervous energy on top of the pressure I already felt.  They grilled me with questions about myself, sports, what it means to be a female in this business, and dealing with that adversity. Following that, I was announced as one of the final two contestants. 

The last step included an interview with basketball star Rebecca Lobo whose career I have followed since I was a kid. I guess you could say I was lucky getting her, but it was just the opposite. As compassionate and sincere as she was to interview, I was a nervous wreck and showed some of the rough edges of my interviewing skills. 

However, when the announcement came that I had won, I realized this business is going to be all about making mistakes and learning from them.  The past two days of standing in high heels and fixing my make up (are wearing heels going to be written into any contracts???!), using my sports knowledge, and being myself have made me even more enthusiastic to get into this business. I guess this is my ticket in!

Best of luck to you all!