Voices in the Game Episode 24: Jay Tonks - Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant – Mercyhurst University

Voices in the Game Episode 24: Jay Tonks - Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant – Mercyhurst University

For anyone out there looking to break into the sports industry, this week’s episode of Voices in the Game is a must-watch and must-listen, featuring my good friend and Mercyhurst colleague, Jay Tonks. Jay graduated from Mercyhurst last spring with a degree in Sports Business Management. He is currently pursuing his Master of Science in Business Administration while serving as a Communications Graduate Assistant for Mercyhurst Athletics.  In this episode, you will hear about Jay’s journey, including how he got his start in the athletic department, what it was like being part of Mercyhurst Athletics when they joined the NCAA Division I ranks in 2024, and how he balances working in a Division I athletics department while still being a graduate student. We also dive into his responsibilities as the Sports Information Director for Mercyhurst men’s and women’s hockey, men’s soccer, softball, and stunt, along with the many moving pieces that come with each role. Jay is one of the hardest-working “Voices in the Game” I know, and you’re going to love hearing his story and perspective as a young professional carving his path in the sports industry!

Voices in the Game Episode 23: Jason Earle - Director of Broadcast and Video Production - Pitt Athletics

Another incredible episode of Voices in the Game is ready to watch as we dive into Pitt Athletics and the phenomenal journey of Pitt’s Director of Broadcast and Video Production, Jason Earle. Jason shares so many great stories, including growing up a Pitt fan before heading to Oakland, where he first got his start in sports broadcasting as a student. We then dive into his favorite moments post-graduation, as he stayed at Pitt and went on to become the play-by-play voice for countless memorable Panther moments across volleyball, basketball, and soccer. Jason also discusses his leadership role behind the scenes, including his work guiding and mentoring the next generation of broadcasters and production workers. He highlights how students gain hands-on, real-world experience through Pitt Studios and ACC Network productions, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run broadcasts at the highest level. If you aspire to work in sports broadcasting and want an inside look at life inside an NCAA Division I Power 4 athletic department, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Voices in the Game Episode 22: Daron Vaught - Play-By-Play Announcer, Podcast Host, and College Instructor

Voices in the Game is back for 2026 with our first episode of the year featuring sportscaster Daron Vaught! Daron has done it all in the broadcasting world, working as a freelance play-by-play announcer for multiple NCAA Division I programs across the Carolinas, including Wake Forest, NC State, and UNC. He currently serves as the radio play-by-play voice of East Carolina Men's Basketball, is the co-host of the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast, and stays busy each spring as a sports announcing instructor at High Point University. In this episode, Daron dives into the early days of his career, how he built his broadcasting portfolio, and the moments and memories that have stayed with him from the many games he's called along the way. It was an honor to have Daron on to share his story and kick off a new year of Voices in the Game!

Voices in the Game Episode 21: Rachel Frederick Zimmerman – Color Commentator for Duquesne Women’s Basketball on ESPN+

Get ready for Thanksgiving by tuning in to an all-new episode of Voices in the Game with the fantastic journey of Rachel Frederick Zimmerman with a life in basketball! Growing up in Pittsburgh, she excelled at North Catholic High School before taking her talents to Ohio University and Duquesne, where she scored over 1,000 career points. Her passion for the game never slowed down; she has stayed deeply connected to the sport she loves. Today, you can find her courtside with a headset on, serving as the Color Commentator for Duquesne Women’s Basketball on ESPN+. It was an honor to have Rachel on, and I know you all will love hearing her story about a life in basketball.

Voices in the Game Episode 20: Katie Hennessey – Senior Talent Producer at ESPN

When you think of sports on TV or streaming, there’s probably one network that comes to mind — ESPN. And this week on Voices in the Game, you’ll get an inside look at what it’s really like to work for The Worldwide Leader in Sports with our guest, Katie Hennessey! Katie is a Senior Talent Producer at ESPN, and she shared so many incredible stories during our hour-long conversation. We talk about her growing up in Los Angeles, getting her start at ESPN right out of college, stepping away to work in the film industry, and eventually returning to Bristol. We also dive into the many ways ESPN has shaped how we watch sports. From iconic programming to College GameDay, which fires up fans every Saturday in the fall. It was an honor having Katie on, and I know you’ll enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at the network that brings sports to life for fans around the world!