Tacoma, WA 2009: As an old man, Trent enjoyed a visit to his dormitory on the Pacific Lutheran University campus. One fond recollection involved his calling of the national title game after which he retired from football play-by-play four days after turning age 23.
Though Trent Ling lived a dream in becoming a sportscaster by the age of 15, he surprisingly and abruptly retired at the age of 23.
“Honestly, by the end, I felt like I needed to become an older person to get any better at broadcasting,” Trent recalls. “I was largely satisfied mechanically with my efforts, but there was no more upside, in my mind, without tasting much more of life. So, this was the end for me with that. Of course, it will always be an other-worldly experience in my timeline.”
Soon, this site will house the entirety of Trent’s 221-minute broadcast of the 1987 NAIA National Championship Football Game between his Pacific Lutheran University and visiting Wisconsin Stevens-Point. For now, this site offers the broadcast opening from the Tacoma Dome, which set the stage for a wild contest that went down to the final play of the game before a final verdict was rendered.
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Radio: National Title-Game Opening (December 12, 1987; 5:38)
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Trent, the, “what do you think?” question about a verse being shared with you and the resulting five alarm fire from your intelligent input, and my two cents to try and save the situation had us standing outside in the dark dumbfounded. My feeble assessment to you, a Duke law student, was “you must be a serious guy,” that heaven would expose this bozo minister so instantly and harshly. It is when you were given your Bible and God said, “I got this!” Well, for me, this is meat on the bone for what I could not possibly fathom and God having the cat bird seat. You went upstairs with the Bible. I would go inside to look for a fire extinguisher for the five alarm fire in my dining room.
While enjoying this, something occurred to me; a broadcaster truly needs to be intertwined with the sport and must love the sport to be as effective as you have been. A great broadcaster not only knows what’s happening on the court in-front of him but also knows what’s happening off the court and can bring all that together. The ‘real life’ play-by-play keeps it real for the listener, especially those who are intimately involved with the school/team. I like this. Seriously, after being brothers in Christ for so long I can just sit back and listen to this and appreciate how you’ve been built by the Lord himself (not to sound cheesy but I’m being honest). Love you!
Trent-Game broadcast brought back a lot of great memories. Enjoyed it.
Meme “wowsa” – that’s so cute :o) Papa it’s so good to read your comment – it’s been forever and a day. Alicia talks much of all the photos Meme emails her.
Trent, you didn’t even take a breath and you were continously enthusiastic in the sportcast. Awesome, that the gift you have is now being used for God’s kingdom.
love you and thanks for walking us through memory lane :o)
And here I thought the old Fedex commercial was a fast talker. Man, God really knows what He’s doing!
You’ve such a great gift! And knows how to work it well, that’s you!! To be a sportcaster and retired from it at a young age like you did was unheard of! I’m with Meme, how on earth could anyone do that?
Very cool! It is like been there! I almost got out of my seat to buy a Coke and a hot dog :).
WOWSA! How does anyone do that??
A job well done, I spent many of hours listening to you. What a ride it was for me, Thank You. Love You.