Sports Broadcasting

Suffield has added options for students interested in broadcast journalism to help with livestreaming campus events. Head of School Charlie Cahn was eager to provide opportunities for students excited about this field and asked Directors of Athletics Drew Gamere and Wayne Patterson to help advance efforts. They reached out to several schools with existing programs to learn about best practices. The first step was identifying an interested faculty advisor, who is now Matt Mercure.

“Matt has a great skill set for this,” Charlie said. “He is engaging, well-organized, positive, great with students, and spirited about Suffield.” Matt worked with a group of students to broadcast various fall athletics contests, including girls’ and boys’ soccer and football. They look forward to expanding their efforts this winter and spring and well into the future. Students involved with broadcasting thus far have included Max Dashefsky ’25, Guru Anand ’25, and Owen Tulley ’25. 

Max has long been interested in broadcast journalism and his passion for it grew during the lockdown phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of his industry role models include Joe Buck, Jim Nantz, Gus Johnson, Sam Rosen, and Mike Breen. Max said, “They really inspired me to get interested and bring information and excitement to viewers.” Max’s favorite fall game was football’s senior night against Cheshire Academy, and he cited junior O’Shae Maxwell's pick six on the first drive as his favorite moment. Max reflected, “Suffield really gave me and others this wonderful opportunity and I’ll be forever grateful.” He also thanked “Mr. Merc” by saying, “He’s awesome and we couldn’t ask for a better faculty advisor for this project.” Matt Mercure said, “Working with Max and the rest of our broadcasting team has been a blast! I was thrilled to have the opportunity to get involved with commentating for Suffield sports. I have been thoroughly impressed with Max’s professionalism and passion. I think his work, and that of the other commentators, has helped enrich the school and the athletic programs at Suffield. We have already added two new students to our winter-season rotation!”