Park Named Voice of the Orange

SYRACUSE, NY – Syracuse University alumnus Matt Park ‘97 has been named the play-by-play broadcaster for football and men’s basketball on the Syracuse/ISP Radio Network, broadcast locally on Citadel Communications flagship stations WAQX/95X FM and WNSS/ESPN 1260 AM. He will also host SU football and men’s basketball coaches’ shows and “Orange Pulse,” a weeknight show about SU sports, broadcast on WNSS/ESPN Radio 1260 AM.

Park recently completed his second year with the SU Radio Network, serving as network host and sideline reporter for football, and network host and color analyst for men’s basketball. Park also served as play-by-play announcer for Syracuse men’s lacrosse in 2003. Park is a veteran of eight seasons of baseball play-by-play announcing, two years of college football experience on CSS-TV and two years of basketball play-by-play at UNC Greensboro. Park will be employed by Syracuse/ISP Sports, the multi-media rights holder of Syracuse University Athletics and producer of SU radio sportscasts.

“I’m ecstatic about this opportunity,” Park said. “It’s a dream job that I’ve wanted for a very long time and I can’t wait to begin.”

Park succeeds Mark Johnson as “Voice of the Orange.” Johnson was hired as sports director by KOA, KKZN and KHOW Radio stations in Denver and will become the play-by-play voice for University of Colorado football and men’s basketball broadcasts. In addition to his full-time duties as sports director for the three stations, Johnson will host coaches’ shows for Colorado football and basketball and oversee the programming for KOA broadcasts of Colorado Rockies baseball and Denver Broncos football games. KOA is the flagship station for both professional teams.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Mark Johnson the past two years. He’s one of the most exciting and descriptive in the business,” Park said. “I’m thrilled for him and his family and wish them the best in Colorado.”

“We knew when Mark Johnson was hired that he was very talented,” associate athletic director Michael Veley said. “He earned the trust of our coaching staff, student-athletes and our fans, and he will be very successful in Denver.”

Veley said Park was a finalist for the SU vacancy in 2002 when former play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch was hired by the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League. “The long-range plan was to hire Matt as an integral part of our network, and as a possible replacement if Mark Johnson received an offer that was best for his career and his family’s needs. Now we’ll implement that plan,” Veley said.

General Manager of Syracuse/ISP Sports, Scott Malaga, said Park will team with former SU football coach Dick MacPherson during the 2004 football season, which begins September 5 at Purdue. A search to replace Park in his former capacities with the network will begin immediately, said Malaga.

“We will utilize the excellent SU alumni network and the resources of our company to find a highly qualified replacement as network host and lacrosse play-by-play announcer,” Malaga said.

“I’m very happy for both Mark and Matt,” Malaga said. “This is a tremendous career opportunity for both individuals. This was a difficult decision for Mark and his family. They will be missed, but not forgotten. At the same time, we’re excited for Matt. He’s earned this opportunity. He’s familiar with our program and coaching staffs, and will fill the role very professionally.”

The SU Radio Network includes nearly 20 stations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

Syracuse University Athletics

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