By: Amira Elqorchi, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, ape5288@psu.edu  

The Penn State Brandywine community has just created a new opportunity for sports enthusiasts and aspiring broadcasters with the official launch of the Sports Broadcasting Club. 

The club is spearheaded by Hunter Strafaci, lead broadcaster, an experienced commentator in his third season with Brandywine Athletics, and led by club president Brennan Kramp.  

Hunter Strafaci, originally from North Jersey, began his college career at Syracuse University before transferring to Penn State Brandywine, where he applied for a co-commentator internship in his final semester. This opportunity helped him dive deep into play-by-play commentary and on-screen graphics. Now, he manages both aspects during live broadcasts. 

From sports ranging from soccer to volleyball, to basketball, and to softball, Strafaci covers the majority of Brandywine’s athletics, providing viewers with his well-researched commentary. 

But it’s not just about showing up on game day, Strafaci emphasizes the importance of preparation.: “For every hour I’m on air, I probably spend an hour at home researching teams, stats, coaches.” Whether it’s analyzing players’ current performance, high school stats, or understanding the technicalities of a sport he’s unfamiliar with, Strafaci’s commitment to quality is evident. 

Volleyball and basketball, for example, were sports Strafaci had to learn on the job. He credits his co-commentators for enhancing the broadcast, particularly when covering sports with which he’s less familiar. “It’s very important to have someone analyzing who’s actually been there and done that at this level and who knows the technical aspects of the sport,” said Strafaci. 

The launch of the Sports Broadcasting Club is a direct response to the growing demands of the broadcast program and the desire to share the workload. Strafaci and Kramp both had the idea over a year and a half ago.  

“The whole idea for the club is to have people who can relieve some of the workload. We want people dedicated to gaining experience in sports broadcasting—whether it be videography, visuals, or working your way up to co-commentating on air.” 

With the addition of this club, students now have the opportunity to take on real responsibilities, from working on video production, to possibly joining Strafaci in calling plays.  

“In a small program like this, you really have the opportunity to not only do it, but claim it as your own,” Strafaci says, encouraging interested students to join. 

Bobbi Caprice, director of athletics at Brandywine, shared her thoughts on Strafaci’s role in the program’s growth: “Hunter is a 2023 graduate from our Communications program. Hunter did his internship with us, and upon graduation joined the part-time staff leading our broadcast. He oversees our entire broadcast operation, which includes helping manage our broadcast club,” said Caprice. 

Strafaci’s dedication to the broadcast experience has not only attracted viewers, but also helped increase engagement. Over time, viewership grew by 25-30 percent, something he attributes to the addition of commentary and on-screen graphics. “We saw a significant increase from year one to year two, which validates the work we put into keeping viewers engaged.” Softball, in particular, is a fan favorite, given the team’s seven conference championships and two consecutive national championships. 

For those wondering what it takes to join the club, it’s simple: ambition and a willingness to contribute. Strafaci and Kramp are looking for students who are excited to bring their ideas to the table. “We don’t cover tennis, golf, or cross country as much as we could, so if someone wanted to make that their own, they definitely can.” 

With growing success of the broadcasts, the club is working on increasing sponsorship visibility, featuring sponsors like VisitDelcoPA.com, Benson & Mangold Real Estate, and Clayton Farms. Strafaci notes that sponsorships are crucial to supporting the program, and their inclusion in post-game interviews helps give brands exposure on platforms like Instagram. 

As the Sports Broadcasting Club kicks off, there is still a lot of room for growth. Strafaci encourages anyone interested in joining to reach out to Brennan Kramp. “We’re looking for people who are ambitious enough to come up with their own ideas.”  

With an opportunity to be part of live game broadcasts, control on-screen visuals, and even interview players and coaches, members will gain a Nittany Lion experience in a field that’s becoming more and more essential in sports media. 

 

For more information or to watch Brandywine games live, check out the athletics department page here or contact Brennan Kramp (bck5264@psu.edu).