(November 11, 2014) Ryan Hedrick is currently a news anchor/reporter in New York. However, his dream has long been to broadcast college play-by-play for a syndicator like Learfield. This week, Hedrick is getting that opportunity. An STAA client, Hedrick is filling-in on the call for the South Dakota State’s men’s basketball game at the University of Buffalo.
The broadcast is important to Hedrick for both professional and personal reasons. “Friday’s opportunity reinforces the fact that you should never give up on yourself,” he says. “After overcoming some personal challenges over the last several years I’ve realized that as long as I am willing to put in the work I will reap the benefits.”
The opportunity came when Learfield VP of Broadcast Operations Tom Boman called STAA looking for help. “Ryan is a talented basketball broadcaster, he has college play-by-play experience and Buffalo is a relatively short commute for him. It was a logical fit,” says STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik.
Hedrick is currently a news anchor/reporter. His full-time gig is at 106.9 KISS FM/95.3 The Lake in Jamestown, NY, but he also works weekends for WBEN in Buffalo. His passion for play-by-play, though, runs deep.
“Over the last four years I’ve gone from volunteering with the Hood College basketball program, to traveling with D3 Stevenson University as their voice for men’s and women’s basketball, to taking a job as a news/sports director at two radio stations more than seven hours away from my friends and family. The chance to broadcast South Dakota State’s season opener in Buffalo excites me because it feels like all the hard work and dedication over the last several years is finally paying off.”
(Visit Ryan’s STAA Talent Page).