The piece I’ve chosen is from the final moments of the 1982 Stanford vs. Cal game, known as “The Play”. Before this snippet, Stanford (white), held a narrow 20 – 19 lead over their biggest rivals Cal (navy).
The primary objective of this piece is to listen for appreciation, but secondarily, it can serve as good practice for tuning into specific elements of a larger set of noises. As you listen try to pick out the points where the crowd ebbs and flows with the game being played, or the point when the commentators realize the outcome of the play. Don’t forget to appreciate the football itself, this is one of the most iconic College Football plays and calls ever.
Hopefully, this will help listeners practice their active listening skills by forcing them to consider how the game impacts both the fans and the commentary.