(August 26, 2016) Graduating college seniors are regularly told they won’t walk from campus into a Division I football play-by-play job. It rarely happens, but it’s happened for 2016 Jim Nantz Award winner Josh Appel. Appel, who won the award as the nation’s most outstanding collegiate sports broadcaster, is the new voice of Florida International University Panthers football.
“I’m definitely looking forward to being able to do play-by-play for a division one program close to where I grew up,” says Appel, who is from Weston, FL less than an hour from FIU’s Miami campus. “This is such an amazing opportunity. I’m also looking forward to working with my broadcast partner and former FIU quarterback Wes Carroll, the student-athletes, coaches and support staff.”
Appel learned of the FIU opportunity through a friend, who delivered Appel’s demo and resume to the athletic department. “After the early communication, I didn’t hear from anyone about it for almost a month, so I really didn’t think anything was going to happen,” says Appel. “Then, a couple weeks ago I heard from someone with FIU and we went from there.”
Appel is a recent graduate of the University of South Florida, where he was sports director and student radio play-by-play voice for football, basketball and baseball on Bulls Radio. He began his career calling football for his high school. Now, as he looks forward to the Panthers season opener September 1st versus Indiana, he’s more excited than nervous.
“I’m sure there will be some nervousness leading up to the first broadcast, but at the end of the day I’m going to be able to do something I love and there’s nothing to be nervous about. It’s going to be a blast and I hope those listening will feel the same,” says Appel.
“[Head coach] Ron Turner and FIU Football are building something special and I can’t wait to represent this team and this university.”
(Visit Josh’s website).