As part of Notre Dame’s new radio broadcast agreement, longtime football play-by-play announcer Don Criqui and analyst Allen Pinkett will not be retained to call games.
Earlier in the year, Notre Dame announced a 12-year multimedia partnership with JMI Sports which included their national radio rights. Previously, Notre Dame held a standalone radio agreement with the Mutual Broadcasting System, Westwood One and most recently with ISP and IMG College. JMI and the school decided to make a change within the radio booth for the first time since 2006.
“I spoke with Mr. Stultz,” Pinkett told the South Bend Tribune, referring to JMI Sports president Tom Stultz. “Their plan is they want someone more local — like ‘live in South Bend’ local — because they want to do some packages during the week, and they wanted somebody who was there.
Pinkett has provided color analysis for Notre Dame football radio broadcasts since 2001. The 54-year old former Irish All-America running back lives in Valparaiso, Indiana which is only about an hour outside of South Bend. Pinkett would like to continue his broadcasting career, but realizes it’s a little bit late in the off-season to find a new opportunity.
“I don’t know if it’s too late in the game right now, because we’re inside of 100 days for both the NFL and college seasons starting,” Pinkett said. “So some positions are going to be locked down. But I need to take a shot and see what’s out there.
“I think I have the talent for painting a picture and I don’t feel like I’ve lost anything. and I do enjoy it. The thing about Notre Dame is I’d be watching those games anyway. It was nice to sit in the booth and watch my favorite team. I got to do that 17 years, and feel fortunate to get a chance to do it for that long.”
Don Criqui, the 78-year old play-by-play announcer and Notre Dame graduate currently resides in New Jersey. Criqui had been the radio voice for Notre Dame Football since 2006.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.