Brendan Sommer

I am currently in my first role post-graduation with Radio Results Network as an Account Executive and the new Radio & TV Voice of Northern Michigan Hockey. I will begin my first full season with the Wildcats when the puck drops for their 50th Season this October on 100.3 The Point and Midco Sports Plus. The opportunity allows me to combine my passion for sportscasting with my commitment to representing one of college hockey's most tradition-rich programs.

In addition to my broadcasting responsibilities, I work with local businesses in the Marquette and surrounding areas develop marketing solutions as an Account Executive for Radio Results Network (RRN). My role has allowed me to build strong relationships within the community while continuing to grow as a broadcaster and storyteller. I am incredibly grateful to be beginning my career in a place that has always felt like home and look forward to contributing to the continued success of NMU Hockey, Marquette, and the U.P.!
 

The people at NMU helped me the most in my current role. I grew up on the east side of the U.P. in St. Ignace and Sault Ste. Marie. Moving a few hours west was a bit daunting at first, but staying in the U.P. for college was comforting for me. The people of Marquette and NMU made this place feel like one great, big home. This community always looks out for each other and the people I've met here have always been friendly. Whenever I was having a difficult time with something, I always had a great support system and to this day still have people in the NMU community that look out for me.

Advice I would give to current students is to be never afraid to change your mind. I came to Northern as a Theatre major and as much as I enjoyed it, I was unsure if I was going to make a career out of it. I spent about a year as an Undecided major before I joined Public Eye News (PEN) as an anchor. From there I went on to broadcasting some NMU Wildcat games for about half of the athletics programs. It was a little daunting to be starting over again about halfway through my college career, but I am happy that it turned out the way that it did. It is always okay to change your mind and give yourself a fresh start.

My experience has impacted my life in a very positive way. The culture, people, and sense of community at NMU has made a great impact on my life. Growing up in the Upper Peninsula and then sticking around for college has been rewarding in multiple ways. I feel like it's fitting that I also start my career post-graduation right here in Marquette and the U.P.

 

Absolutely. When I joined Public Eye News (PEN) at NMU, there was a lot more of a bonding experience with my peers than I had initially anticipated. That organization has always felt like a family to me, and every single person on the broadcast was always focused on bettering themselves, their peers, and the broadcast as a whole every single day. A lot of the lessons I learned about working together as a team were through Public Eye News at NMU.
 

This is a tough question because there are so many different people I could list. The one I'll pick would have to be Mike Lakenen. He was my instructor for BC 310 Sports and Special Events, where students get to broadcast the NMU Football, Men's Basketball, and Women's Basketball home games. When I started working for NMU Athletics and WNMU-TV as an on-air talent and production crew member, I got to work with Mr. Lakenen. He and I built a great working relationship, and he has always been a mentor to me. I will be working with him again this fall during NMU Hockey games at the Berry Events Center.

The night I met NMU alum and Michigan State Men's Basketball Head Coach, Tom Izzo, was sort of unplanned. In 2024, Coach Izzo was up in Marquette for the Superior Dome Showdown, an event that I got to work on as a live production crew member and timeout coordinator. The night before the game, he had his jersey retired during a ceremonial dinner at the Northern Center. One of my former schoolteachers, mentors, and fellow NMU alum, Doug Ingalls, went to the dinner while I was unable to make it. So, when I saw him later that night, he told me Izzo was heading to Blackrocks Brewery. I figured he was kidding with me, as this was the night before the game, and I didn't think Coach Izzo would be out. Sure enough, we get to Blackrocks 30 minutes later, and who's the first person I see as I walk in? Coach Izzo.

Being a Wildcat means to support the community that supports you. During my time at NMU, the way I interpreted the embodiment of the Wildcat community was that if you work hard, look out for one another, and give it your all, you will not only be successful professionally, but, more importantly, personally.