(July 31, 2015) Jared Shafran has scored an impressive hockey position. An STAA member since 2012, Shafran has been hired as Athletics Communications Associate at Ferris State University and play-by-play voice for the Bulldogs’ NCAA Division I hockey program.
The 26-year old Shafran has spent the past three years as the Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) Tri-City Storm based in Kearney, NE. The veteran broadcaster called over 200 games as the franchise’s play-by-play voice and was chosen as one of the top five broadcasters in all of North American junior hockey during a fan vote this past year.
As part of his new position at Ferris State, Shafran will play a key role in developing video and multimedia content along with social media messaging for all 17 of Ferris State’s athletic programs. He’ll also oversee video board production and operation while assisting in media relations, marketing and promotional functions in addition to broadcast and communications initiatives.
Shafran was selected from a pool of more than 90 applicants for the position and will begin his duties at FSU in early August. He will replace Dominic Hennig, who spent six years as the voice of Ferris State Hockey before accepting a position in the professional ranks with the Ontario Hockey League’s Flint Firebirds this summer.
“From an extremely large pool of qualified candidates, Jared emerged as someone who can help us with a variety of traditional and new media platforms,” said FSU Associate Athletics Director Jon Coles. “His experience, energy, and positive personality make him a great fit to help continue the success of our communications department.”
A Northeastern University graduate, Shafran produced and managed digital content, social media and audio elements for the Storm. He also wrote news releases and articles, assisted in marketing and promotional efforts and coordinated team travel among other duties.
“I am honored and excited to become a member of the Ferris State Athletics community and make the transition to Big Rapids,” said Shafran. “I want to thank the entire staff for this outstanding opportunity. I’m looking forward to meeting all the Bulldog fans and sharing in their passion for Ferris State Athletics.”
A 2011 Sportscasters Talent Agency of America (STAA) Honorable Mention All-American, Shafran was a finalist in the 2015 FastHockey Broadcaster Battle. He earned a degree in journalism and communications from Northeastern in Boston (Mass.), where he also spent time in the sports information department and served as the baseball SID.
Shafran’s broadcast background also includes work in television for GoNUxstream, including basketball, baseball and hockey coverage of Northeastern University events televised on ESPNU and ESPN3.
Before moving to the Storm, Shafran worked in the media relations department and handled the play-by-play and radio color commentary for the Palm Springs Power baseball team in Palm Springs, Calif. In addition to his radio experience, the Highland Mills, N.Y., native also was employed on the newspaper side by The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald and The Huntington News. He interned at Massachusetts television’s New England Sports Network and College Hockey Inc., the promotional and marketing arm of Division I men’s college hockey.
(Visit Jared’s STAA Talent Page).