Victoria Stewart’s schedule was open, so she decided to try something new.

The Amherst Regional alum, and current Hurricanes Athletic Director, provided color commentary for NESN during the UMass Minutewomen’s basketball game against VCU on Wednesday.

Stewart received a call from UMass Assistant Director of Sports Information Ryan Gallant the day before the game asking if she would be open to joining the broadcast. The broadcaster that was originally scheduled to provide commentary was no longer available due to a scheduling conflict.

“We quickly took a look through the rolodex of folks we knew, were local, had knowledge of UMass basketball and women’s basketball specifically,” Gallant said. “She played here and coached here. We were happy to have her with us. I thought she did a good job.”

Stewart played basketball for UMass from 2012 to 2016. She previously served as an assistant coach for the Amherst College and Merrimack College women’s basketball programs.

Coming into Wednesday’s game, Stewart had never provided commentary for a basketball game before, much less on live television.

“It’s a lot harder than people think,” Stewart said. “You know the game but when you’re sitting there and have to be on the fly you don’t want to say anything too critical. … I know UMass pretty well.”

Stewart was joined on the broadcast by play-by-play commentator, Jim Cain.

“He did a good job dealing with me and my newness with the situation,” Stewart said.

Once the game ended, Stewart conducted a post game interview with VCU head coach, Beth O’Boyle. Stewart was tasked with producing the questions for the broadcast. She used her previous coaching experience to help her think of a few talking points.

“I just thought about what I would want to be asked if I was a head coach,” Stewart said. “Something simple and lets her be able to get back to the locker room and talk to her team because that’s all (coaches) really want to do.”

Stewart got positive feedback from friends and co-workers throughout the day following the broadcast.

Some of her friends said that they thought it was a professional before they saw that it was her.

“People are being very generous,” Stewart said.