Kevin Brown The Voice Of The Chiefs Inspired Himself

Story and Photo by Jonathan Singh


SYRACUSE N.Y. -- Kevin Brown has been broadcasting games for the Syracuse Chiefs for the past seven seasons. The Syracuse University graduate started young and has worked his way up in the industry with hours of practice, and the desire to succeed.

“I went to local high school games, brought a recorder," he recalls during an interview in the NBT Bank Stadium broadcast booth before the Chiefs game Thursday night. "I was that weird kid sitting in the corner, in the upper deck talking to himself, with a little roster sheet and a cup of hot chocolate because it was too cold. That how I got better.”

         

Brown looks on as the Chiefs take on the Bats.

Brown, a Long Island native who grew up in Baldwin, was active covering sports during his time as an undergraduate, calling men’s and women’s lacrosse, basketball, and football for the Orange. The experience Brown as gained as a broadcast journalist, eventually led to an opportunity with the Syracuse Chiefs.

“My last year in college the number two job opened here with the Chiefs, I got it and I’ve been here ever since,” he said.

Brown was then calling games with Jason Benetti who was once the voice of the Chiefs before departing to the majors. Brown then took over as the lead play-by-play in 2014. Benetti was a mentor for Brown has he directed him and out of the booth, helping Brown become a better broadcaster. 

When you see Brown you could think that he is some kid at the undergraduate level. The young looking broadcast is actually in his later stages of his twenties. 

The knowledge that Brown has gained in the Chiefs broadcast booth led to his his major league debut this past May for the Washington Nationals, filling in for Charlie Slowes, one of the radio broadcasters for the Chiefs' parent club.

At the conclusion of July, Brown’s journey will continue as he will be leaving the Chiefs for another opportunity at a national level, one he could not reveal yet on Thursday night.

As Brown leaves Syracuse, he offers some advice for the aspiring sports journalists.

“Do everything you can, don’t say no to any opportunity,” he said.

The Voice of the Chiefs will hand over the microphone to his current partner Eric Gallanty, who will finish the remainder of the 2017 season.