Courtesy The Salem News

February 9, 2009) What young sports fan hasn't dreamed about filling in for Glen Ordway and hosting The Big Show on WEEI sports radio, having the opportunity to interview famous athletes, or take over the color commentary for the Bruins from Andy Brickley?

Now anybody from ages 8-18 can learn how the big names in sports broadcasting do it at The Young Sportscasters of America Workshop hosted by Peabody Access Telecommunications at their Foster Street studios on Saturday, February 28 from 1-5 p.m.

Jimmy Young, NECN celebrity, usually holds such workshops at his Natick studio, but is coming to the North Shore. Bob Halloran of WCVB TV (Ch. 5) and ESPN radio and Jimmy Myers of 96.9 FM talk radio will assist Young.

"We've been open in Natick since October 1st, and the curriculum is a modern adaptation of a training program I created in the mid 90s for Kid Company's Sports World - a half hour live sports talk show for kids, with kids as the talent and only kids could call in," said Young.

That program won an Emmy award in 1996, and now every Sunday Young offers workshops along with individual and small group afternoon and evening sessions. Currently there are over 50 kids interested in his programs and 11 have already graduated and are now certified to become reporters for YSA Web TV.

"We try to keep the ratio to 12-1," said Young. "The most popular part of our program is probably when the students get to host their own round table sports talk shows. We call this 'Back Talk'. They also get to interview former athletes one-on-one. Former Patriots Ronnie Lippett and Max Lane have been in the studio along with former NHL referee Paul Stewart and former NFLer Peter Cronan from BC color analysis fame."

PAT executive director Camille Bartlett became interested in bringing such a program to Peabody after seeing a brochure for a Video Educators of New England Conference put on by Young and his team.

"I thought it sounded like the perfect fit for what we do here," said Bartlett. "We are first and foremost an instructional facility. I especially love working with young people, and since we cover a lot of high school sports I am hoping to develop budding announcers. This is a great opportunity to learn from the professionals in the business."

Bartlett said the program will be limited to 20, and there is a loose deadline of Feb. 22 for registering. To learn more about the YSA Bootcamp call 978-977-0570. A $15 registration fee includes the workshop and a one-year membership to Peabody Access Television. The workshop offers youngsters the opportunity to try out every skill a pro sportscaster needs from show hosting to studio anchoring, play by play, interviewing, public address announcing, speaking and writing skills. Who knows, maybe there is a budding John Madden out there.