“Fired forward” is a phrase used to describe someone’s career advancing after losing a job. It applies to layoffs, too. Dan Doherty’s career is moving forward less than three months after a layoff. He is joining the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND as their first ever Coordinator of Athletic Broadcasts and Live Events.
In addition to play-by-play, Doherty will oversee webcasts, PA announcers, additional play-by-play/color commentators and game scripts. He’ll also emcee events, host a coach’s show and podcast, assist with video content, and serve as the media contact of sports to be determined.
“I’m very excited to be the voice of a Division II program, which is a huge jump in my career path,” Doherty enthuses. “What makes this even more exciting is that I don’t have to move since the school is in Bismarck.”
Surprise opportunity
Doherty has been in North Dakota’s capitol city since July 2022 when he joined BEK Sports Network as a play-by-play broadcaster. 22 months later, he was part of company-wide cuts. Then the University of Mary came calling.
“It was very unexpected,” Doherty recalls. “And you could say the job found me. About two weeks or so after I was laid off, I got a call from UMary’s Associate AD/Hockey Coach asking about the layoffs and what BEK’s plans were for covering their games in the upcoming season. He then shared that they were creating a new broadcasting position. They had someone in mind, but if it didn’t work out, I’d be the guy.”
Since there was no guarantee from the university, Doherty accepted a mail-carrying job at the local post office. “During the lunch break of one of my orientations, I got another call from [the University of Mary] saying they weren’t hearing back from the other guy so they’d like to move forward with me.”
Before hiring Doherty, the athletic department had to get the position approved by the school. It was a formality. “After three weeks of delivering mail, my first day for the new gig was Monday (August 5th).
Humbling experience
Delivering mail was equal parts enjoyable and humbling for Doherty. “It was demanding but I’m glad I did it. It was a great reminder of how lucky I am to do what I do full-time.
“I’ve yet to find an activity that gives me the same feeling of overwhelming joy that play-by-play does. Being able to capture the heightened emotions of sports with my words is incomparable. I love that every day is different too. It’s a privilege to do this for a living.”
Help from STAA
Doherty joined STAA in 2018 upon the recommendation of former STAA member and fellow Ithaca alum Seth Cantor. “Seth considered STAA an ‘investment in my future’ because the price point can scare college students off, but it’s worth every penny.”
The University of Mary is the third position Doherty has accepted since becoming an STAA member. In 2019 he joined ESPN Ithaca as a play-by-play broadcaster and sports journalist. Three years later, it was on to Bismarck and BEK. Now he gets to stay in Bismarck and be the voice of an NCAA athletics program for the first time.
“I’m very excited to be able to take a huge step in my career.”