From Classroom to Career: An Alumni Story with Brendan Howe '21

When I first began the college application process, I wasn’t even considering Dean as an option. It was my parents that pushed me to “just do a tour.” I obliged and I was sold. I was looking for three things on that tour: a sense of unity and comfort with my surroundings, confidence that I’d be able to thrive in their academic environment, and a growing sports broadcasting program. That tour hit the nail on the head and then some. 

I was able to complete my bachelor’s degree in four years, switching from a Communications major to Sports Broadcasting halfway through my undergrad. I was on the air within two weeks of being on campus my freshman year, getting reps hosting and producing sports talk shows in addition to calling a variety of sports on WGAO.

With the help of staff and faculty, I was able to secure and complete not one, not two, but three internships within the sports broadcasting field. I spent three consecutive summers calling baseball in some of the finest collegiate leagues the country has to offer, the NECBL, Cape Cod League, and Texas Collegiate League. The nicest part about it all? You’re on your own to apply the skills and lessons you’ve taken from the classroom into the real world to make a name for yourself.

That experience I was able to gain from those internships then led me to my first job out of school as a Broadcast Assistant with the Peoria Chiefs, the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. I’m now firmly in the field I’ve always wanted to work in, doing what I love each day, which is calling baseball.

I couldn’t be more thankful for everyone and everything they did for me while I was at Dean. It’s one of those places you always feel connected to, even if you’re not there, and I know they’ll always welcome me, and all alum, back with open arms.

My career goal is to make it into a broadcast booth in Major League Baseball someday, and while I still have plenty of work to do in order to achieve that goal, Dean was the first step along that path to getting there.

Brendan Howe '21
Sport Broadcasting major