By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Daniel Ridenour is known as “The Voice” for Eastwood sports.
The Eastwood High School senior earned the nickname after starting a sports broadcasting platform for Eastwood sports a year ago.
Ridenour started the YouTube sports gig after connecting with Eastwood Baseball Coach Kevin Leady last year.
“I would like to stream your games live and start a sports channel,” he told Coach Leady. Impressed with Ridenour’s enthusiasm and passion, Leady agreed, which kicked off Ridenour’s dream of a sports broadcasting career.
His goal of becoming a play-by-play announcer for a sports team grew out of a strong passion for sports that began once he strapped on hockey skates over 12 years ago.
“Sports have always been an important part of my life,” Ridenour said during an interview prior to calling the Eastwood junior varsity and varsity basketball games against Otsego on Saturday at the Stroh Center.
His fascination with sports started with playing hockey, but he also enjoys attending sporting events, as well as watching and listening to sports coverage on television and radio. His parents, Shad and Celeste Ridenour, have fueled his interest by regularly taking him to sporting events from Bowling Green State University and Walleye hockey to BGSU and Mud Hens baseball, and more.
As an athlete, Ridenour currently is in his third year playing for the Blue Devils Hockey Club. When he was a freshman, he “kind of figured I’m not going pro or anything like that, so I just asked myself, ‘What else is there?’”
His connection to BGSU hockey introduced him to Mike “Doc” Emrick, the award-winning Bowling Green State University graduate who is nationally known primarily for his hockey play-by-play coverage.
Ridenour also grew up hearing the voice of beloved Mud Hens announcer Jim Weber, who passed away last August. He admired their ability to relate what was happening on the ice and field to their audiences. “They were guys that could take the story and convey it so well,” he ssaid.
Inspired by Emrick, Weber and other sportscasting greats, Ridenour knew it was a career that would keep him connected and near the world of sports that he loved so much.
During his first two years at St. John’s High School, Ridenour interned for sports broadcasting and tried to create a sports network for Titan athletics. When that didn’t work out, he was crushed and gave up the idea—that is until he transferred to Eastwood High School his junior year.
The lessons learned in the previous failed attempt eventually spurred on the dream that was revived at Eastwood.
In December 2023, Ridenour began developing plans for the Eastwood Sports Network. The concept gained steam in February 2024. “It finally kicked off with the 2024 baseball season and has been going strong ever since,” Ridenour said.
Streaming the baseball games was only the beginning for him. Leady invited him to the team, giving him a hat and expecting him “to do everything we do,” Leady said.
After Ridenour admitted he wasn’t good at baseball but loved the sport, Leady urged him to come to practices, not caring how good he was at the sport but because he was part of the team.
“This season, we are putting him on the roster, so he’s not only ‘the voice of Eastwood baseball,’ but he’s also going to play baseball,” Leady said.
“I’ve had great success and encouragement at Eastwood, where I was given another opportunity with great people behind me,” he said. “Coach Leady was invested right away and helped me get to where I am.”
Since he started, Ridenour has also provided coverage of Eastwood football, volleyball, soccer and basketball.
On his Eastwood Sports Network YouTube channel, he has over 500 subscribers, which doesn’t account for the people who know where to tune int and look forward to his broadcasts without subscribing, Leady said. A promotion to reach the 500-subscriber milestone last weekend netted him whipped cream pies in the face during Saturday’s postgame video.
“I would be nowhere without my sponsor, SS Auction Group, and the fans,” Ridenour said.” I appreciate all of them watching and giving my small crew the motivation to go out there and keep working hard trying to improve. I really love doing this for the community and to help build my broadcasting career.”
As of today (Jan. 13), he has posted 155 videos that have been viewed 17,304 times.
With each game he covers, Ridenour takes time in advance to prepare by studying the opposing team and refreshing the stats of his Eagles teams. He has been a devoted student of sports broadcasting. “I listen to other guys, see what they are doing, see what I like and don’t like to help create my own style,” he said. “I also listen to my own tapes and decide what I can do better.”
“Holy cow, if you haven’t heard him, you should,” Leady said. “I text him all the time and tell him his one-liners are great.” Leady also praised his drive and enthusiasm.
Ridenour knows he was gifted with a passion for sports. He loves the atmosphere and being invested in the athletic side of the competition. But now, being able to share that with other people is what makes the work so great.
“I’m that kid that loves sports broadcasting,” he said. “I love doing play-by-play, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have it carry me as far as it has. It’s going to carry me a lot more in the future.”
He plans to attend BGSU next fall with a goal of joining the Falcon Sports Media team to further his broadcasting skills. His post-college goal is to be a broadcaster with a minor league or major league team.
“Hockey would be the main sport I would love to cover, but I will go wherever I can,” he said. “Sports broadcasting is a great industry and a great field” that he hopes to continue after Eastwood, BGSU and beyond.
