Syracuse University’s reputation as “Sportscaster U” will be on full display as alumni dominate the broadcast booths when the NFL kicks off the 2026-27 regular season this week.

If you’re looking for an Orange voice calling the action, chances are you’ll find one—more than a dozen alumni will provide TV, radio and streaming coverage of games this season.

Nearly all the play callers studied in the broadcast journalism program at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications—a valuable reminder of why the Newhouse School continues to be a powerhouse destination for aspiring sports journalists.

“This is another area where the Newhouse School is truly second to none,” Newhouse School Dean Mark Lodato says. “We’re immensely proud of these graduates and their significant impact on the most popular sport in the United States.”

Also in the mix, two longtime analysts—Daryl Johnston ’89 and Dave Lapham ’74—played for the Orange and went on to standout NFL careers before entering the broadcast booth.

“Whether it is listening to a fellow ’Cuse alum while getting ready for my game or seeing a member of the Orange family one booth over in the press box, it gives me great pride to hear the fellow Syracuse voices calling the NFL on radio and TV every weekend,” says Mike Tirico ’88, the leading play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports. “Nothing proves that SU is THE place for sports broadcasters like the roster of alums calling NFL games.”

Where to Find the Orange Voices

Tirico will make the play-by-play calls for NBC/Peacock in the NFL opener today in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl, with the New England Patriots visiting the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. Tirico will also call the Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants showdown at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night for NBC/Peacock.

Noah Eagle ’19 will be on the call for Netflix on Thursday night from the Melbourne, Australia, Cricket Ground, where the San Francisco 49ers will take on the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL’s first international game of the season.

Ian Eagle ’90 will be the play-by-play voice for CBS when the Buffalo Bills visit the Houston Texans on Sunday.

“I’m so proud to be an SU graduate and of how much Orange courses through my family’s veins,” he says. “Throughout my many years of traveling, I’m always excited to meet other Syracuse alums and share our experiences with one another. There’s no doubt it helped shape me into the person and broadcaster I am today.”

Andrew Catalon ’01 will call the play by play for CBS in Indianapolis when the Colts host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Dan Hoard ’85 and Lapham enter their 16th year together calling games for the Cincinnati Bengals Radio Network. Hoard will deliver the play by play, and Lapham, the former Orange and Bengals great now in his 41st year as a broadcaster, will provide analysis when Cincinnati hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

“It’s a privilege to be the voice of an NFL team and a joy to call games with my fellow SU grad Dave Lapham,” Hoard says. “Following his stellar playing career, Lap made a seamless transition into the broadcast booth where he has bonded with home team fans as well as any announcer in any sport.”

Johnston, the former Orange and Cowboys star, will add another Syracuse voice to the Bengals-Buccaneers’ game, when he shares his insights in his 21st season as an analyst for FOX NFL.

Anish Shroff ’04, in his fifth season as the play-by-play announcer for the Carolina Panthers Radio Network, will call the Panthers hosting the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Jason Horowitz ’05, the voice of the Las Vegas Raiders, will be in action for the Raiders Radio Network when the Silver and Black host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Andrew Siciliano ’96, in his third season as the play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns Radio Network, will cover the action when the Browns visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

“The NFL is the greatest show on Earth,” Siciliano says. “It’s great to be part of the Orange army calling games again this season.”

More Orange Voices on the Way

Other Orange broadcasters will be on the air in the coming weeks:

• Dave Pasch ’94 will join ESPN’s NFL coverage as a play-by-play announcer as the season gets underway.
• Jason Benetti ’05 will be on play-by-play calls for Westwood One Sports later this season.
• Greg Papa ’84, the voice of the San Francisco 49ers, is recovering from health issues and plans to return to the broadcast booth.

Interested in following in their footsteps? Explore Newhouse’s broadcast and digital journalism programs.

Story by Jay Cox