If you have watched a sporting event on television, you know the play-by-play announcer and color commentator serve as commentary for the game.

When you think of play-by-play, you likely think of legendary voices such as Jim Nantz, Al Michaels, Joe Buck, or "Voice of the Golden Grizzlies" Neal Ruhl. Famous color commentators include Howard Cosell, Doris Burke, and Reggie Miller. 

There is another announcer that may not spend as much time on the microphone as the two previously mentioned positions but still plays a vital role in calling sporting events. That is the sideline reporter. 

The sideline reporter goes into detail about strategies used by teams, the injury report, and the overall mindset of the competing teams during the game. 

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies have an up-and-coming sideline reporter molding her craft at any sporting event she can attend. Her name is Brittany Welch. 

Welch is a student-athlete on the Oakland women's volleyball team and has worked as a sideline reporter for a multitude of different sports since arriving on campus in 2019. 

Her goal is to be the next Erin Andrews. Those are big shoes to fill and a lot to live up to, but with the help of the athletic department, she is well on her way to achieving that goal. 

Welch started her collegiate volleyball career out west at New Mexico State before transferring to Oakland. At the beginning of her time at OU, Welch was studying in the health science field, but the athletic communications department gave her the assignment to interview student-athletes. 

Quickly, individuals in the department and Welch herself started to realize a talent for the kind of work a sideline reporter undertakes.

Welch's first time working as a sideline reporter was for a men's basketball game during the 2019-20 season.

"I was shaking, I was so nervous, I was petrified," Welch said. 

But after the first hit, the nerves settled and she began growing and developing her skills almost immediately. It appeared that every time Welch had a microphone in her hand, she was gaining confidence and talent for sideline reporting.

Welch has gone on to be the sideline reporter for several basketball games and will be present at baseball broadcasts this season as well.

The athletic department has been in her corner from the beginning, granting opportunities that may not be realistic at schools with a divide between the student-athletes and athletic administration.

"I do not think I would have gotten the same opportunities at a bigger school," Welch expressed. "At Oakland, you are cared about more and not just a number. The department took what I said seriously and gave me so many opportunities and chances to succeed, which has been great for me to have."

You can find members from the athletic communications department at any given sporting event she is working at, helping her prepare for appearances in front of the camera and coordinating hits. 

The support system within Oakland is one of its greatest strengths. The support also comes from head volleyball coach Rob Beam.

"Rob [Beam] is very supportive," Welch said. "Whenever I have an opportunity that may conflict with practice, he is all for it. He wants me to succeed in what I want to do and he is always sending me clips of interviewers. He is just always on my side and one of my number one fans."

Welch is well on her way to becoming all that she wants to be and fulfilling her ultimate potential. 

With many people in her corner and her undeniable talent as a sideline reporter, there is no doubt we will be watching Welch work courtside at March Madness, the NBA Finals, or even the Super Bowl in the future.