Dear Reader: “I always knew that I would be happy being a sports broadcaster from the time I was 16. It was just a question of how it would manifest itself.”
That is how Steve Cangialosi, primary television play-by-play announcer for the New Jersey Devils described how he got into the field that he has become quite successful in.
Cangialosi’s first job in sports broadcasting was with “Sports Phone,” a dial-in sports score service, while he was still in New York University in 1984.
“One of the gifts that God gave me at an early age was the ability to rattle off 60 scores in about 30 seconds,” joked Cangialosi. “With that said, I guess I was on my way with my career.”
That began a series of sports broadcasting jobs that took him from WNEW-AM to WINS in radio. At the same time he joined NY1 as one of the channel’s original on-air personalities.
If that wasn’t enough, the Queens native, who was raised in South Ozone Park, became a sportscaster and talk-show host for ESPN Radio.
“It was about 11 years ago where I made the conscious effort to really begin to focus on crafting a career as a play-by-play announcer,” recalled Cangialosi.
So with a successful sports broadcasting career in hand, why would you want to dive into play-by-play?
“There is something special about the blank script at the start of the night,” answered Cangialosi. “Not knowing how a game is going to unfold.
“In a studio show you meet hours before. There is a rundown.
“You have a pretty good handle on what is going to happen, with the exception of breaking news.
“But doing play-by-play, every game is different. This season, for instance I had one game where the Devils scored eight seconds into the game and then seemed to chase the puck the rest of the night.
“A couple of nights later two guys dropped their gloves and got 18,000 fans all excited. It could be one of a hundred other variables that could happen during a game.
“It was that kind of magic that drew me into the world of play-by-play.”
Cangialosi joined the MSG Network as a studio host. In 2006 he got the break he was looking for in play-by-play, filling in for the primary play-by-play announcer Mike “Doc” Emrick.
“Because ‘Doc’ was in such high demand from other assignments he had, I got to fill in for him doing Devils broadcasts anywhere from 16 to 24 times a year,” added Cangialosi, who also does the play-by-play for the New York Red Bulls soccer team. “By the time I got the job fulltime in 2011 I was ready and in place.
“I knew I crew out in the truck and I was very comfortable working with color analyst (and former NHL goalie) Chico Resch. Ironically the New York Islanders were my favorite team growing up and my favorite player on the team was Chico Resch. How ironic is that?
“It was a natural fit when the Devils asked me to do the job fulltime.”
What is Cangialosi’s technique?
“I just let the game come to me,” responded the John Adams High School graduate. “I like the challenge of keeping up with the fast pace of the game.
“I really love that challenge.”
What advice would Cangialosi give to a young, budding play-by-play announcer who wants to get to the level where he is with the NHL?
“Look at yourself in the mirror and be honest with yourself,” replied Cangialosi. “Ask yourself, ‘how much do you love this’ and ‘how much of a price are you willing to pay.’
“If the door gets slammed in your face 20 to 30 times with rejections, do you still have the fortitude to keep going?
“This isn’t the easiest job to get into. But once you’re there, to me there is nothing else like it.”
Until Next Time,
Randy Schultz
(Photo: msg.com)
