Pacific Index

Graduate and current undergraduate sports media students gain experience calling games for Pacific University’s sports teams. 

   “Test, test,” a voice murmurs, echoing softly in the ears of two students preparing to call the match. Slipping on the oversized headset and leaning toward the microphone feels almost surreal, a moment many aspiring broadcasters have long imagined. At Pacific University, the athletic, media, and sports communications department offers students countless opportunities to experience firsthand what it’s like to step into the role of a sports broadcaster.

   Graduate student Evan Bleyer, class of ’26, had dreams of becoming a sports broadcaster, but didn’t know where to start with growing his resume. That is, until he took the opportunity to be on the microphone and be the storyteller of the Pacific baseball team, alongside fellow classmate Cole Weber, class of ’25. 

   Bleyer is no stranger to the sports media industry, with his dad, Keith Bleyer, a veteran sports broadcaster who served as a longtime radio analyst and play-by-play announcer for the Portland Timbers for over 12 seasons. His experience included calling major club moments, such as the 2015 MLS Cup. That being said, Bleyer had a dream of calling games just like his dad.

   Weber ‘25 also had great dreams of becoming a sports broadcaster and baseball was the perfect starting point for his career. Weber graduated from Pacific University with a major in Sports Communication and had been analyzing baseball broadcasts even before he took over the Boxer mic. Conducting a summer research project in 2024, he set out to discover the similarities and differences of the announcing styles of the regional broadcasters. Over the course of that summer he visited baseball teams and their stadiums across the Pacific Northwest. Throughout the rest of his undergraduate career, Weber gained valuable experience that prepped him for his future career. He is now the voice of the Marion Berries Baseball Club as well as the Assistant Sports Information Director at Rockford University.

   Graduate student Dax Smith has also had the opportunity to broadcast Pacific sports games and continues to keep adding to his impressive media resume. Smith is the current media coordinator for the Pacific University baseball team, controlling their media accounts and making creative graphics for their posts. He is also a graphic designer for Pacific University’s student-led student section, The Red Den, contributing to all sports at Pacific’s media posts. 

   Current undergraduate students are following similar paths as Bleyer, Weber, and Smith as they hope to continue as sports broadcasters as well. Freshman cross country runner Noah Gonzalez has started his broadcasting career off strong with calling multiple different sports such as Pacific men’s soccer, women’s soccer, softball, and baseball. His drive for sports analytics and knowledge of the game is something he plans to continue building on throughout his remaining years at Pacific. Gonzalez is also a sports writer for the Pacific University newspaper, the Pacific Index, and a member of the Boxer Creative Club on campus.

   The hands-on experience that graduate and current undergrad students are obtaining is something that is crucial in the media industry in the long run. The growth of student broadcasters is booming and putting on a headset, speaking into a mic, and running the show is something Pacific University is embracing and encouraging in the sports media department.