If you tuned in to a Kalamazoo College athletics event online in the past three years, you most likely heard the voice of Tanner White, a 2022 K graduate with degrees in Spanish and economics. A defensive lineman on the Hornet football team, White also shared his talents on the livestreams of sporting events for nine other teams. His broadcasting skills were especially helpful during times when COVID limited in-person attendance at events, leaving many to rely on Tanner's voice to highlight the action, sights and sounds of sports, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, baseball and softball.
Now, White is creating social media content and considering graduate school for broadcasting. He also can be heard this fall calling the home football games on Kalamazoo College's livestream as well as on the Portage Northern and Mattawan streaming networks.
A cum laude graduate who was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll three times and to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society, White's Senior Integrated Project was titled "The Economics of the Sports Broadcasting Industry, and Finding a Place in It." White was also Kalamazoo College's nominee for the MIAA's Tom Renner Associate SID Award, presented to a student assistant at an MIAA member college sports information office for outstanding service as an undergraduate.
White found tremendous value in getting involved at K.
"Staying involved in the community on and off campus was the most important thing I did during my time at K," White said. "Playing football for four years, participating in the Sports Business Club, and broadcasting athletic events helped me learn beyond the liberal arts curriculum. I learned how to learn new things and found my passion for sports broadcasting and avenues to network in the right direction."
White described the time commitment of athletics as a valuable way to practice time management skills daily.
"The hours are long, and the workload is demanding, but the rewards of relationships with teammates, gaining discipline, and getting physically and mentally stronger are invaluable and will last far beyond your athletic career."
White is thankful for his housemates, teammates and friends for creating lifelong memories and friendships. He also thanks Sports Information Director Steve Wideen for his supervision and support on the livestreams, and Coach Jamie Zorbo for his dedication to guiding Hornets toward success on and off the field.