Students listening to Falcon hockey this season will recognize a new, yet familiar, voice on WBGU-FM.
Bowling Green Radio Sports Organization recently selected Danny Nieves as the new play-by-play commentator for BG hockey games. Nieves came into the position after performing color commentary duties for four years next to Andy Evans, with Evans calling the play-by-play. Evans left for Michigan after the 2006-07 season.
Now, it will be Nieves doing the play-by-play while Bob Mills takes over on color. Although Nieves is relatively inexperienced in his new role, Mills is confident his partner will adapt just fine.
“I thought that Danny was the best candidate to replace Andy,” Mills said. “He worked with Andy for a long time so he was definitely involved with how it was done before. That made him extremely qualified for the job.”
Nieves will have to adjust his delivery style due to the fast pace of hockey, but he’s excited for the opportunity and the adrenaline rush that comes with doing play-by-play.
“Instead of just waiting back to give my two cents, I’m the one giving the call and I’m in control of everything in the broadcast,” Nieves said. “I played the game for 15 years so it’s easy to say why that goal happened, but with play-by-play I have to know the number of the guy who scored. I don’t have time to look at my sheet.”
However, he said he already feels experienced enough to be comfortable stepping into a new role in the press box. He’s covered more than 50 games for WBGU-FM since becoming a part of the broadcast five years ago.
“The chips just fell the right way for me,” Nieves said. “I didn’t know it at the time, but we broadcast more games than any other college station in the nation. I got lucky [choosing BG].”
Nieves played hockey for many years himself, but realized, during high school, he wasn’t talented enough to play in college. He then took his on-ice passion for the game into the press box, and hasn’t looked back since. He has dreams of working for ESPN in a Barry Melrose-type role someday, but he’s more than happy to be gaining experience with BGRSO for now.
“I want to thank Andy Evans, Coach Paluch, and everybody who had anything to do with me getting the position,” Nieves said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’ll give it my best.”
Nieves and Mills will cover the team’s season opener at 7:05 p.m. at Niagara University Thursday night on 88.1 FM.
