Mears launches program to give back to future sports broadcasters

Even at 10 years old, Steve Mears knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life.
"It didn't take much listening to Mike Lange and realizing that he had the coolest job," Mears said referring to the Penguins' Hall-of-Fame broadcaster. "Once I was able to get some actual broadcasting experience in college, I started to think that this crazy idea might be somewhat realistic. I could've never envisioned this path and where it's taken me though."

Where it has taken Mears, 38, is to his dream job as the Penguins' television play-by-play announcer for AT&T SportsNet.
"If some random kid who grew up in Murrysville can become the TV announcer for the Penguins, no dream is too far-fetched," Mears said.
And now, Mears is looking to find the next random kid that wants to realize his or her dream of becoming a sports broadcaster. Which is why he launched the "Future Voices of the Booth" program.
The program is designed to encourage, motivate and mentor students working toward a future career in sports broadcasting. Students that are accepted will receive two tickets to a home Penguins game and afterward Mears will give them a tour of the broadcast booth and talk about their ambitions and goals (for more info and where to

"Working in the sports field, we all have the unique opportunity to brighten someone's day and maybe inspire someone just as my heroes inspired me when I was a student," Mears said. "I'm reminded of (Penguins head coach) Mike Sullivan's recent quote, 'None of us get here alone.'
"I've had so many people like family members or mentors like Mike Lange and Doc Emrick who were instrumental in my career. If one kid that we invite to a game ends up becoming a professional broadcaster, that would be incredibly gratifying."
At the very least, Mears hopes that the students will have the same thrill he experienced at a Penguins game as a kid. In fact, his love of the team - and his entire life - changed on happenstance.
Mears attended his first Penguins game in November, 1991 after his father received two tickets from a colleague.
"I was hooked for life the minute I walked into the Igloo and the rest was history," Mears said using the nickname for the old Civic Arena, the former home of the Penguins. "The Penguins and hockey in general have given me so much in my lifetime, and the least that I can do is give back."
Mears aspires to be a mentor for the next generation of on-air talent, just as many have played a role in his own career. Lange will always be his biggest inspiration.
"My appreciation for him can't possibly be stated into just a few words," Mears said. "Not just as a mentor when I was younger, but as a friend and colleague now. He's always been so helpful to me."
Mears also credited his broadcast team with the New York Islanders - Howie Rose, Billy Jaffe and Chris King - the team with which he broke into the NHL. As well as Emrick, Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Gary Thorne and many others.
"You pull from many sources when you're learning the craft," Mears said.
And he hopes the next Steve Mears can learn something from the current Steve Mears.
"For broadcasting specifically, I try to tell high school and college students in particular, to do everything," he said. "Try every sport. Try news. Try TV, radio, writing, reporting, hosting, analyzing. You need to be as versatile as possible in this field and you never know what opportunity is going to come about on your journey."
Mears' journey brought him to his dream job.
He added: "Hopefully there are some young fans who have similar dreams of being a sports broadcaster and this program gives them a chance to see that it's not that far-fetched."