Stories from the Booth, Vol. 1: Daniel Ridenour

Every broadcaster has a different story, and that is why I have decided to start a new series, covering sports broadcasters and how they got to where they are now. The 1st story I will be sharing is of Daniel Ridenour, a broadcaster entering his 1st year at Bowling Green State University. 

Daniel Ridenour

Daniel “Dan” Ridenour is an aspiring sports play-by-play broadcaster at Bowling Green State University. Dan graduated from Eastwood High School in Ohio, where he did a ton of sports broadcasting. Dan founded Eastwood Sports Network (ESN), a YouTube channel that focused on all sports at Eastwood High School. Dan was covering his local football, baseball and basketball teams, but his main passion is hockey. Dan was recently a hockey player, but decided to hang up his skates for an opportunity in the booth. Dan’s goal is to make it in some level of hockey play-by-play (ECHL, AHL or NHL). He said that instead of signing for a big network like ESPN or FOX, he would prefer to be the voice of a certain hockey club. Dan said his key to success was, “Even if it’s a Tuesday, cold and two people are watching, you have to act as if you’re calling Game 7 of the World Series in the booth.”

High School

In Dan’s freshman and sophomore years at high school, he was a part of the school’s local radio station. One of Dan’s main things he did in high school was play-by-play broadcasting for his baseball and football teams. 

Eastwood Sports Network

Dan launched ESN during Christmas Break of 2023, and created the YouTube account in February. Dan was able to practice his play-by-play and “watch baseball games with a reason to.” Dan has kept up with ESN for two years, covering major sports like baseball, football, soccer and basketball, along with volleyball, hockey, softball. He did play-by-play for each of those sports, while also doing side reports on cross country, track and field, golf, wrestling and swimming. 

Toledo Sports Network

Dan is toward the end of his current stint with Toledo Sports Network, a partnership that started in August of 2024. Dan got to know the owner, Mike Jameson, through a local basketball organization. Dan called quite a few games with TSNW, mainly basketball and football. He will be calling his final Toledo Sports Network game on August 22, 2025. 

MAC Media Day

Dan was invited to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) media day, where he was able to get recognition. He was able meet BGSU’s Head Coach, Eddie George and his son, Eric. He was able to meet more of Bowling Green’s professional media department and talk with some Head Coaches including Kent State’s and Toldedo’s. He was able to make it onto ESPN+ through asking a question that was later shown on broadcast. He was even able to hang out on Ford Field, home on the Detroit Lions as part of a final send off. 

Smee Sports

Daniel was able to work for a local website known as Smee Sports, where he worked for the owner, Nathan Smee. Dan was able to form a close relationship with him and was able to cover the Steelers, Bowling Green Sports and even his experience at the MAC day. Nathan said, “Daniel has been a great addition to Smee Sports as a beat writer. I am excited to see Dan move his career forward as he starts his 1st year at BGSU.”

Bowling Green

Dan has been able to make relationships with the people on the Bowling Green staff, and ultimately hopes to be the voice of their hockey team during his four years there. He also will attempt to become one of the directors for Bowling Green's Falcon Media Sports Network. Dan will also still go back to call some local Eastwood baseball games during next spring and summer. Dan will be taking a little break from play-by-play, as he will shift to writing articles and covering his local Legion Ball team’s games. He will start his Freshman year at BGSU this fall. 

Thank you to Daniel Ridenour for being a part of this article. 

For more from Daniel check out his LinkedIn

Or one of his latest articles from Smee Sports