March 20, 2007
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) announced today that Director of Broadcasting for Athletics, Ben Wagner, has resigned to take the post of "Voice of the Bisons," the play by play broadcaster for Triple-A Buffalo, an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.
Wagner has served this past season as the play-by-play voice of both the Fighting and Lady Hawks, the men and women's' basketball teams at UMES. Wagner took over for Josh Maurer, the former Voice of the Hawks who left after three seasons to become the play-by-play man for Charleston Southern University football and basketball.
"Ben will be sorely missed," said G. Stan Bradley, Assistant Director of Athletics for External Affairs at UMES. "He was the consummate professional; he prepared well and broadcasted with excitement and vigor. He kept the UMES fans on the edge of their seat and thoroughly involved in the game, despite a tough season. He will not be easily replaced."
Wagner, 26, came to UMES while serving full-time for the Lakewood BlueClaws as their play-by-play voice and Director of Media and Public Relations. He has spent the last three seasons with the BlueClaws, the Single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2006, he called Lakewood's South Atlantic League Championship. Along with his broadcasting duties, he coordinated all media and public relations and represented his team in the community through numerous speaking engagements and appearances.
"UMES gave me an incredible opportunity this past season," said Wagner. "I hadn't called basketball for a few seasons and I missed it, the opportunity with the Hawks was a great one and I am sorry to have to leave it. I enjoyed the teams, players, coaches and fans; I hope I made it enjoyable for all the Hawk faithful. The staff, the fans and the community overall will be missed. At the same time, I'm excited to broadcast for a Triple-A franchise and get a step closer to my dream of broadcasting Major League Baseball," he added.
Wagner began his broadcasting career in November 1997 working on-air for WAWC-FM in Syracuse, IN. There, he made his play-by-play debut for local football and basketball teams. While attending Indiana State University, Wagner worked for WISU-FM as the "Voice of Indiana State Baseball and Women's Basketball" and sports director for three years. While still in college, he began working as an analyst for ISU football games for the Sycamore Radio Network (WTWO) as well as a high school sports announcer for Crossroads Communications.
Wagner was given the Outstanding Service Award to Indiana State University Athletics in March of 2003.
"We are very excited to bring Ben here to Buffalo to represent our team on the air," said Mike Buczkowski, Vice President/General Manager of the Buffalo Bisons. "I'm confident Ben will continue the tradition of great Bisons radio announcers."
For those missing the sounds of Wanger's voice and exciting play calling you can visit Bisons.com, the official website of the Buffalo Bisons for the webcasts of the games. In the Buffalo area all Bisons games in the 2007 season can be heard on WECK 1230 AM "Classic County," the flagship station of the Buffalo Bisons Radio Network. Most games can also be heard on WSPQ 1330 AM, "Great Home Town Radio."
UMES will begin a search for a new play-by-play voice in the summer of 2007. WTGM-AM 960 will continue as the flagship radio station for Hawk Athletics and umeshawks.com will serve as the official on-line home of all broadcasts.
