Marist alumnus Joe Brand is about to wrap up his first season as a radio play-by-play announcer for NHL team the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has been dreaming of this opportunity since he was a kid, and his hard work has finally paid off this year.
“I’ve wanted to become a sports broadcaster since I was about 10 years old,” said Brand.
Brand is a member of the Marist class of 2009, then he continued his academic career at Illinois State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism. Illinois State is known for their strong broadcasting programs and communications school.
Shortly after, he began his announcing career as a radio play-by-play broadcaster for the Kane County Cougars minor league baseball team, and TV play-by-play announcer for UIC athletics. He also called some Illinois high school games through the company, Mediacom.
Brand spent 10 years with these organizations along with a three year stint from 2021 to 2024 at WGN as a studio host for the Chicago Blackhawks. Before the NHL season, Brand moved to Pittsburgh leaving behind his former positions to take on his first full-time position as a broadcaster for a professional sports team.
When Brand was a RedHawk, Marist did not offer broadcasting classes.
“There unfortunately wasn’t any broadcast program at Marist when I attended, but everyone there made me feel very comfortable about trying to achieve this goal,” said Brand.
Now, Marist offers aspiring broadcasters a club and classes to learn the basics. Brand encourages students chasing the same goals as him to get as much experience as they can.
“If you don’t play sports, become the team manager or cover the team for the school paper. Mock broadcast games if you have to. Any experience you can get covering a team, take it, then do that twice as much in college,” said Brand.
He has also enjoyed meeting Penguins legends, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Brand’s favorite part of broadcasting is linking the fans to the games they are unable to attend in person.
“I love bringing the atmosphere of the game to wherever the audience is,” said Brand.