What athletes can learn from sports broadcasters

In this episode, Greg Glynn talks with fellow hockey play-by-play broadcaster Mike Keeley from the Maine Mariners about a wide range of topics including, tips for athletes who want to build their brand and explore broadcasting as a career.

Michael Keeley has been the Media Relations and Broadcast Manager of the Maine Mariners since the team first began in 2018. He serves as the radio play-by-play announcer for the team in addition to handling most of the PR, communications, and media duties within the organization. Michael has been broadcasting sports for over 10 years, getting started with NCAA DIII hockey in 2009, as a freshman at SUNY Oswego. He received his B.A. in Broadcasting and Mass Communication from Oswego in 2013.

Prior to Maine, Michael spent four years working in the NAHL with the Keystone Ice Miners (Connellsville, PA) and Austin Bruins (Austin, MN) while also covering baseball for the Northwoods League's Rochester Honkers (Rochester, MN), where he was named “Announcer of the Year” in 2017.

What you'll hear from the podcast episode:

• How Mike became a broadcaster
• What Mike did to practice his play-by-play broadcasting
• Why Mike chose SUNY-Oswego
• How timing can be everything for a sports broadcaster
• Why starting out as a color commentator can be helpful for your broadcasting career
• Greg and Mike share a valuable lesson for aspirating broadcasters: to take your shot
• How color commentary can help you become a better play-by-play broadcaster
• The opportunity for athletes if they are injured to try sports broadcasting
• Mike talks about the Mariners Coach’s Show
• How to create your own play-by-play style
• How networking as a broadcaster can help advance your career
• How players can grow their athlete brand by getting to know the broadcaster
• Why having and athlete profile can be a huge benefit for your future career
• Why athletes in the ECHL should be thinking about building their brand to get a pro contract

Connect with Mike Keeley:

Twitter: @keeleymike (twitter)

Facebook: @MarinersOfMaine

Instagram: @MarinersOfMaine

Maine Mariners website

Mentioned in the podcast:

Eddie Olczyk

Darren Pang

Ray Farraro

Rick Jeanneret

Frank Fixaris

Doc Emerick

Dale Arnold

Joe Beninati

Tom Caron

Don Stevens