Getting To Know Kelly Crull
Kelly Crull is now just hours away from her debut as the Thunder’s sideline reporter for FOX Sports Oklahoma. Starting with tonight’s game against Miami in Kansas City, she will become an integral part of the fan experience for viewers throughout the state, joining play-by-play man Brian Davis and color commentator Grant Long to provide in-game reporting and insight during broadcasts.
In a Q&A with The Oklahoman, Crull, a former sports reporter with KOCO-5, talks about the challenge of her new gig, why she decided to make a career change and what fans and viewers can expect from her this season.
Q: Are you excited for your debut?
A: Yes. I think excited would be an understatement. I’ve been ecstatic all summer and I couldn’t wait. And tonight’s the big night. It’s our first broadcast. My debut with the Thunder on FOX Sports Oklahoma. 7:30 start time.
Q: Any jitters?
A: It’s nervous excitement, if that makes sense. I’m not really nervous to do my job. I’m nervous with excitement. But I think when you stop having that you just need to get out of the business. I’m really excited, and I think tonight’s going to be a lot of fun.
Q: What made you want this gig? What was so appealing about it for you?
A: It’s always been in the back of my mind ever since I started journalism, knowing I wanted to be a sports reporter. And coming from Indiana, basketball, bar none, is my favorite sport. So getting a chance to sideline for an NBA team has kind of always been a dream of mine. They’ve been looking for someone to be more consistent, someone who can be here long term and I had that opportunity come up as my contract ended at Channel 5.
Q: What can you tell the fans about the kind of style you want to bring to the broadcasts?
A: I’m a pretty energetic, bubbly person by nature. So I want to just bring some more energy to the broadcast. Brian and Grant are already very good at that, and I’m obviously hoping to learn a lot from them as well. But I also come from a place where basketball was a big deal. And I played it myself so I’m knowledgeable about the sport. I want people to know that. I’m not just a face that they decided to stick down there on the sideline. I hope to bring some of the stuff that I’m getting to learn being around these guys all the time. So hopefully I can give the fans something that they can’t just see on the floor. I hope to give them the sort of the insides of practice, the interaction between these guys that not everyone gets to see.
Q: What kind of ballplayer where you? Indiana hoops is no joke.
A: I started out in like fifth grade as a post player, but by freshman year of high school I was a point guard. So I had to learn every position but I played point. I was a very out of control player, but I laid it all on the court every night. I could have never played at this level, but I do appreciate it because I played enough to know how hard these guys are working every day.
Q: What’s been the most gratifying part of this experience so far?
A: I guess coming from working at a news station, you have to do everything. You’re asked to do everything from shooting to editing to producing a show. And that’s a lot of work. And this, I feel like I’ve finally gotten to a point where a lot of that work has paid off in the sense I can just do my job and that’s report.
A big thanks to Kelly for making time for the interview. Wish her well, Thunder heads. I know she’ll do well. You can follow her on Twitter @kcru11.
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Meet Your New Sideline Reporter
The Thunder has hired Kelly Crull to take over as the full-time sideline reporter. Crull, who most recently served as a sports reporter at KOCO-5, should add some stability to the sideline gig. She replaces Tom Werme and Elissa Walker-Campbell after the two split the sideline duty last season. Two years ago, Brent Weber manned the position.
Crull, however, seems like a great fit for the job. I can attest to how much of a sports nut she is, particularly the sport of basketball. I remember her rooting like crazy for her hometown Butler Bulldogs in the NCAA Tournament. And this much is certain, she won’t be over her head on the sideline or attempt to mask any lack of knowledge about what’s going on with some cutesy story. If allowed to do her job, I’d expect Crull to deliver insightful reporting about, you know, the actual game and do it in an entertaining way that will keep your interest.
Join me in congratulating Kelly and wishing her the best of luck.
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