A Few Minutes With . . . Chris Berman

September 21, 2008

(Interview conducted near the scoring tent just off the 18th green at Poppy Hills Golf Course during the 2008 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.)

CHRIS BERMAN

Chris Berman

Full name: Christopher James Berman; Age: 52 (Born May 10, 1955); Birthplace: Greenwich, Conn.; Residence: Cheshire, Conn.; Occupation: Television sports broadcaster; Hobbies: Golf and singing.; Family: Wife, Kathy, married in 1983; Daughter, Meredith (1986); Son, Douglas (1987); Education, Brown University, graduated, 1977; Hobbies: golf and singing; Golf Handicap: 18; Best round: “I’ve never broken 80, but I think I had an 84 once or twice.”; Club memberships: The Farms Country Club in Wallingford, Conn., TPC at River Highlands, Cromwell, Conn.

Growing up I always wanted to be . . . A sportscaster from about age 14 on.

The best idea I ever had was . . . Going to Brown (University) because it changed my life so much for the better. My kids are there now and I have such a strong relationship with it now.

The thing I’m most proud of . . . Is being married to 25 years this summer to Kathy Berman.

It’s not true that . . . I watch TV. I don’t watch TV, and I’m being honest.

The world would be a better place if . . . People relaxed a little bit and if people were a little less jealous.

The thing I don’t leave home without is . . . My George Castanza-size wallet.

Most people would be surprised to know that . . . I like peace and quiet more than the big stage. You can put me on a beach in Maui and that’s fine.

The best day of my life was . . . Getting married. It’s going to be 25 years and look at all of the good thing that have happened to me since July 23, 1983 (his marriage date).

I’m envious of . . . When things really flying, people who maintain and stay nice to people. There are a lot of people who are a lot better at it then me, and I’m impressed with those folks.

As an athlete I was . . An okay soccer goalie. I was second team all-league. I don’t look like it now, but believe it or not, that was probably my best.

My finest athletic moment was . . . I stopped a penalty kick with two seconds left to preserve a tie like in ninth grade soccer.

My first job was . . . Radio announcer at WERI in Westerly R.I., right out of school at age 22.

My life’s mantra is . . . It takes just as much effort tobe nice to some person as it does to be a jerk.

The biggest waste of time is . . . Going over the ground of material you’ve already gone over.

When I need to relax, I . . . go to the beach. I like quiet.

My ideal foursome is . . . Babe Ruth, Jackie Gleason and John F. Kennedy. For the 20th century, you have to most prolific athlete, the funniest guy and the most dynamic person.

The best advice is ever received was . . . Don’t be afraid to be a little bit pushy. Don’t be a pain in the ass. You know how to draw the line. I still give that out 30 years after I heard it from a veteran sportscaster.

The biggest disappointment is my life is . . . I don’t have many. I never got to sing with the Rolling Stones.

The one thing I don’t have that I wish I did have is . . . a good golf swing.

Posted in Celebrity Golfers