Countless sports fans across the country regularly watch ESPN and imagine themselves working for the world’s most famous sports network.

But for NIU alumnus Matt Ouano, that dream became a reality soon after graduation. The Orland Park native is now associate producer for the popular show “Pardon the Interruption” with Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon.

The Northern Star talked with Ouano about his days at NIU, who should be the Huskies’ starting quarterback and how Kornheiser and Wilbon really act when the cameras are off.

Northern Star: What is your exact role at ESPN/PTI?

Matt Ouano: My job is getting the stories, choosing the best angle for them to be argued. I also do video for the show and cut to what they’re discussing.

NS: How did you land such a sweet gig?

MO: (Laughs) Well, I graduated from NIU in December 2000, and by February I was in Bristol [ESPN headquarters]. I knew some people through my internship at WGN. By September 2001, they came to me and asked if I wanted to help produce this crazy new show, and I said I’d do it.

NS: Do Kornheiser and Wilbon really like each other or hate each other? Are they prima donnas?

MO: The funny thing is you get the censored version. On camera, they can analyze so precisely and eloquently. But behind closed doors, they’re dropping F-bombs all over the place. Lots of expletives.

But they are who they are. There is no fakeness about them. The funny thing is Wilbon wants everyone to like him. He went to the MCI Center once and everyone recognized him and cheered. Tony can be curt and short with people, but that’s just how he is.

NS: When you were at NIU, what sport did you follow the most?

MO: I was always a football fan. I was there when we broke the losing streak. I wasn’t quite sober so the details are kind of fuzzy, but I do know we stormed the field and tore down the goal posts and threw them in the East Lagoon.

NS: How bad was the football team when you were here and how much has that changed now?

MO: It’s night and day. They hit bottom. But [coach Joe] Novak wouldn’t put up with these kids who didn’t have good character. These kids are great now. There were some delinquents on those old teams. He cleaned up that program and inserted character people first. First better people, then better athletes, and the winning followed.

NS: Who should start at QB for NIU this season?

MO: I like the two youngsters [Britt Davis and Dan Nicholson]. I’m from Orland Park so I got to support them. I’d love to see them cater to Davis’ athleticism.

NS: When you were a student, did you write for the paper or work at Northern Television Channel?

MO: I did the whole NTC thing as an anchor and producer. I did some sports reporting for them as well. The coolest thing was I took a coaching football class and Joe Novak taught it during the spring. He taught every aspect of football. He even gave his assistant coaches their own day. PJ Fleck was in that class too. Definitely one of my favorite classes.

NS: If you were an executive producer at ESPN, what show would you create/run and which talent would you get?

MO: I’m a big college football fan. College Game Day is great. Going out to a new campus every week and interacting with all the crazy fans. The guys who go out there take notes and come back.

NS: If you were an executive producer at ESPN which talent would you get to host a show?

MO: Tony Reali. He’s so humble and low key. Tony and Mike really do respect him. People don’t realize he’s only 26. I just recently turned 27, so he’s the office youngster. But he’s real competitive so he rubs it in my face every chance he gets.