Twenty years ago, both Brian Strauss and Chris Messinger were teenagers and were convinced they would someday have a chance to host a sports talk show, as the duo created and presented their own version on a Super Nintendo game system.

Now, both years later, both are in their late 30s and taking a shot at fulfilling a lifelong dream.

The lifelong friends and Philadelphia sports fanatics, who grew up on the southside of Allentown, are in the running to co-host a sports talk show on the Philadelphia-area based sports talk radio station 97.5 The Fanatic's "Dream Job" contest sponsored by the station.

Both Strauss and Messinger are entered in the duo phase of the contest that will reduce 44 groups to the semifinal phase on July 12. Along with the duo phase, there is a single male and single female category.

Contestants enter a two-minute video and choose a topic regarding Philadelphia sports. Strauss, a current Whitehall resident, along with Messinger, who currently resides in Allentown, have constructed a two-minute required rant about "passion" regarding Philadelphia sports.

From there, each category will be eventually reduced to three finalists on July 22 and the final categories will be determined over a two-day period with live shows on locations on July 25-26.

The overall winner will have the opportunity to host a weekly show on the station. Positions are determined through online voting on the station's Web site. Through July 4, the duo was in sixth place overall among the duo entries. Finalists will be determined through the number of votes cast online.

Win or lose, it has been an experience neither will soon forget.

"Since we were little, Chris and I have always had our own version of a sports talk show," said Strauss about the bond between the two that began in the Allentown School District and extended through to Dieruff High School. "We have always been talking about all of the Philly sports teams.

"We both always have been avid watchers and listeners to both TV and radio and we wanted to give this a try. For us, this is an opportunity of a lifetime."

Through the years, both Strauss and Messinger shared a common passion for the talents of ESPN's Chris Berman, who has coined many colorful nicknames for football players through his work on "NFL Primetime" as well as for the late Harry Kalas, who touched the lives of Phillies' fans for more than four decades through his baritone-type voice and patent home-run call of "It's Outta Here."

"I would always try to imitate (Berman) with his flare and all of his nicknames," said Strauss. "Harry Kalas was also a favorite of mine. I remember when I was young how my grandfather and I would watch him on TV and listen to him on the radio."

"I have to agree 100-percent on both of them," echoed Messinger. "They both have had an influence on me trying to pursue a career like this."

Although both men would drop their careers in a minute for a sports talk job, they acknowledged they don't have the practical aptitude to pursue a career at this time. Strauss, 37, works in the accounting profession for a Bethlehem-based firm. He and his wife, Bonnie, have two sons, Conner (6) and Carson (3). Messinger, 38, is a single parent and is employed by a supply company in New Jersey and has two daughters, Haley (14) and Lauren (11).

"I have always thought about pursuing a career in the field," reflected Strauss on a sports talk show career. "I know there is a broadcast school outside of Philadelphia in Cherry Hill (NJ), but it isn't a place that I could likely get to every day. I would have to go there on weekends.

"But I have a family and we have priorities. Right now, there would be too many sacrifices involved. If I could do it and work everything out, I would jump at it in a minute."

"I would also jump at the chance," added Messinger. "But I am a single parent with two teenage daughters, who are involved with activities. There would be too many sacrifices to make to try and make it a fulltime profession."

In the meantime, both men have the chance to keep alive some precious memories and tinker with a dream.

To watch Brian's and Chris's video, check out www.97.5thefanatic.com, or try Brian and Chris's video on www.youtube.com. You can also vote for them at www.97.5thefanatic.com.