RevWrestling.com recently went one-on-one with Casber to discuss the past, present, and future of Takedown Wrestling Radio.
Talk about the history of Takedown Wrestling Radio. When did it start? And how did the idea come about?
Casber: It started six years ago. Originally, Takedown Wrestling Radio was called Saturday Night Slam. It was on a different radio station called The Jock, here in Des Moines, and it was played 10 p.m. to midnight. I had a partner named Scott McLin who wanted to do a professional wrestling show. The only way that I would agree to it — the only thing that it would give it any kid of legitimacy — is if we have a section or element of amateur wrestling, which is exactly what we did. My favorite guys to talk to in the pro ranks were the guys with the amateur backgrounds. I fell in love with the sport back at Iowa — when I went to school there in the early 80’s. The fresh recounting of it really started when we had Dan Gable on the show. He suggested that maybe we should do a show that is all amateur and no pro. And that’s exactly what we did.
What is your background in broadcasting?
Casber: I’ve always been in radio and television. I started my career in 1975 in television. I went to Brown Institute in Minneapolis, then did three years at Iowa, and finished up at Drake University with degrees in public relations, advertising, and marketing. So I understand that this sport needs to be marketed. I understand that this sport needs to be promoted. Sometimes the best kind of promotion is through the art of public relations. My mentor in PR was the father of PR — and he died at 103 — his name was Dr. Edward Bernays. One of my very first big projects, against the wishes of my professors at Drake, was to bring the father of PR to Des Moines. He coined the phrase, “Wheaties — Breakfast of Champions. “He made up Betty Crocker. He turned a little vacuum company into Standard Oil. He represented seven Presidents of the United States. I mean, this cat really set the table for American business and politics for the next 100 years. He did it old school — and that’s how I’ve done it. That’s how I’ve always been a promoter. I’m very proud to be a part of this sport because it’s growing again. Maybe it’s not growing as quickly as we would like it to, but it’s growing smartly and efficiently.
What has been the biggest change in the six-year history of Takedown Wrestling Radio?
Casber: I think mobility. The fact that the show is able to get out and cover the major events live. I think we have a better level of communication with our listeners to find out what they’re interested in hearing. We’ve never been about play-by-play. We’ve never been about calling a match for the sake of calling a match. There are a few things that we do each year that would resemble a play-by-play effort. Primarily, we’re about the people, the history of this sport, the people who have made the history, the current athletes, their stories, and the future. We are at a really neat period of time in the history of wrestling right now, where we have quite possibly more young coaches today than any time over the last 50 years. These young guys are so assertive and so battle friendly. In other words, they’re ready to get in there and fight for their sport. I’m very proud of the way that this sport has grown, the fact that we have all these young coaches out here who are busting their humps — desperately trying to make a difference. And I think they are. I really do. I think their making a huge difference out there. Guys like Tom and Terry Brands, Kerry McCoy, Shawn Charles, Chris Bono, Sammie Henson, Carter Jordan — all these young guys. Sure they may have been there five years as an assistant, but now it’s theirs. Now they get to put their stamp on it and honor the guys that came before them. I think they’re very cognizant of the fact that the guys that came before them are very, very important to the success of any team and the sport in the future. If you sit down and talk with these cats about the past and about where the teams are now or the future, it’s not always about an NCAA title, although that is looming and lurking. It’s about how can we best represent. I think that’s pretty cool.
What do you enjoy most about doing the shows?
Casber: It’s several things. Interaction with the fans “¦ because I’m a fan. I’m not an expert, never have been, never will be. The day I become an expert will probably be the day I sign off the show. The people who come on the show are the experts — and I enjoy talking with them. I may ask a better question today than I did six years ago. I guarantee I do. But when it comes to giving expert analysis or breaking down the possibilities of the team, I’m going to the coach. I’m not going to second guess these guys. These guys are the pros. They know what they’re doing. I’m a radio guy. My ideal is to get a show of five or six guests, let them say their piece, and insert a little humor when we can. As a sport, we often take ourselves a little too seriously. But I also believe that there is room for this sport to continue to invite in new guests, new fans, new participants, and new sponsors. We’ve been very closed off and very protective for a number of years. In some cases, rightfully so. But now I think it’s time to throw our doors wide open and invite in the American public. We need to reintroduce them to wrestling, make it fun again for everybody. It might mean that we have to teach. Gosh, why did they just give that guy two points? Why is he holding up his right hand as opposed to his left? I think there are some very simple things that we can do.
You have been involved with amateur wrestling for a number of years. Is there a specific show, event, or experience that sticks out more than the others?
Casber: I think the one particular event sticks out more than the others is giving a motivational read prior to the NCAA Championships two years ago at Savvis Center in St. Louis. Right before we went live to ESPN, I had a United States Marine hold a clipboard as I stood amongst the masses in the stands with a remote microphone — with the music of 2001: A Space Odyssey building in the background. It was my job to charge this crowd with passion. As their fever, as their temperament, as their excitement grew, mine did as well. Once I reached the crescendo or the pinnacle of both my speech and the music, I knew right then and there that I would never, ever find another sport that I would be able to call home. That may be one of my fondest memories.
I’ve had coaches and athletes cry on my show, break down emotionally. And it’s not because I’ve asked mean questions, or asked good questions in a mean-spirited way, it’s because wrestling is an emotional sport. And for some, they have no other release. I find that very intriguing. I, too, have cried on broadcasts before. I’ve broken down and become emotional. In some instances, I think it’s because I never did wrestle. It’s because I’ve never been able to feel what these guys feel. It’s because I know that they understand now that they have reached the end of their physical ability. They can do no more. This is as good as it gets. They understand that they must ask for help from a coach or from a higher power. They have to figure where to draw more strength from.
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