Brendan Burke (sportscaster)

Brendan Burke (born July 8, 1984) is an American sportscaster for Fox Sports, the New York Islanders, and formerly the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League.[1]

Early life

Burke was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while his father, Don, (sportswriter) covered the then-IHL Milwaukee Admirals, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers.[2] In 1990, Burke moved to Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and later attended Paramus Catholic High School.[3]

Broadcasting career

Burke's broadcasting career began during his undergraduate tenure at Ithaca College, where he served as the sports director for both of the campus radio stations.[1] Following graduation, he broadcast minor league baseball for the Batavia Muckdogs (NYPL)and the Lakewood BlueClaws (SAL) (.[1] At 22 , he was hired by the Wheeling Nailers and became the youngest broadcaster in the ECHL.[2] During his time with Nailers, he was honored as the 2008 ECHL Broadcaster of the Year,[4] and was selected to broadcast the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game.[3]

Burke spent five seasons as the voice of the American Hockey League's Peoria Rivermen, who were purchased by the NHL's Vancouver Canucks and moved to Utica in 2013.[5] During the 2011-12 NHL season, he filled in for select games as the play-by-play broadcaster for the NHL's St. Louis Blues on KMOX radio.[6] In July 2013, he was hired by the Utica Comets as the play-by-play broadcaster and head of public relations.[1]

Since 2012, Burke has called the outdoor high school games as part of Hockey Day Minnesota for Fox Sports North. Burke handles play-by-play for college football broadcasts on Fox Sports Net along with analyst Ben Leber. He has also called college hockey for the Big Ten Network.[5]

Burke was named to the "Top 30 Sportscasters Under 30" list released in 2014 by the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America.[7]

On July 30, 2015 he received the James H. Ellery Memorial Award for the 2014-15 season. The award is presented annually in recognition of outstanding media coverage of the American Hockey League.[8]

On August 11, 2016, Brendan was named as play by play announcer for the New York Islanders, replacing Howie Rose who stepped down earlier that year. [9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Brendan Burke - Broadcaster/Head of Public Relations". Utica Comets Official Website. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  2. 1 2 Eminian, Dave (6 October 2008). "Voices new and old for Peoria". Journal Star. Peoria, Illinois. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  3. 1 2 Rine, Shawn (2 January 2008). "Talking a Good Game". The Intelligencer. Wheeling, West Virginia. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "Billy Higgins Named 2013-14 Reebok ECHL Equipment Manager of the Year". Wheeling Nailers. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  5. 1 2 Davidson, Spencer (29 January 2014). "Comets' broadcaster Brendan Burke receives special honor". WKTV. Utica, New York. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  6. ↑ Caesar, Dan (23 December 2011). "Media views: Blues fill-in broadcaster has whirlwind week". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  7. ↑ Chelesnik, Jon (29 January 2014). "Top 30 Sportscasters Under 30". Sportscasters Talent Agency of America. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  8. ↑ http://theahl.com/comets-burke-wins-ellery-award-for-2014-15-p198916
  9. ↑ http://islanders.nhl.com/club/index.htm
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