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Former Firebirds Broadcaster, Scotty Gange, wins Jim Nantz Award

06/03/2020 5:16 AM

Article By: Taylor Viles

“If the best college baseball players go to Cape Cod then the best college broadcasters should go to Cape Cod,” said Dan D’Uva, former Chatham Anglers broadcaster and current play-by-play broadcaster for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Scotty Gange is one broadcaster the Cape has helped groom and he is this year's Jim Nantz award winner.  The Jim Nantz award was created by the Sportscaster Talent Agency of America (STAA) to recognize the best collegiate broadcasters in the country.  Gange became the fifth winner in the awards 11-year history who had previously been behind the mic during a Cape Cod Baseball game.

Gange broadcasted for the Orleans Firebirds in 2019. “Every single day I got a new opportunity to go out and either improve my craft or expand on my craft and try something new,” Gange said of his Cape League experience. “For the most part, it helped me understand exactly who I was and who I wanted to be as a broadcaster.”

“From the first day, [Scotty] showed that he was innovative, energetic, focused, and absolutely loved what he was doing,” said Firebirds President Bob O’Donnell. “I was with Scotty at an early season game when we realized [future Houston Astros Manager] Dusty Baker was sitting near us. Scotty got a chance to interview him and you would have thought he’d known Dusty for all of his life. Scotty has that ability to drive any interview in an interesting direction.”

The Arizona State grad (‘20) is known for his on-screen comedy, his charisma, and his ability to tell a story. “I just like to have fun. I like to be myself and share some positivity on the air,” he said.  “It’s nice to be recognized [for the award].”

The Golden Knights D’Uva, who is still actively involved with Cape League, has taken a liking to Gange’s style.  It’s not just his skills as a broadcaster that have helped him to receive this award D’Uva says, but how he carries himself as a person. “Scotty cares.  He cares about the work that he’s doing and he cares about the people he’s interacting with,” D’Uva said. “That empathy, that curiosity is uncommon especially for someone who’s only [21].  He is remarkably creative, remarkably personable and he makes you want to work with him.”

Gange’s next opportunity will come in the state of Colorado as he has accepted a job at Station 9 News KUSA in Denver. “I’m looking forward to entering the professional world and learn off of some true professionals and colleagues,” he said. “...I’ve got a lot to learn and a [lot] of experience to gain.”

Even though he acknowledges the magnitude an award like this can do for his career, he knows the sacrifices that people have made to get him to where he is. “Every opportunity I’ve been able to enjoy is because of my family,” said Gange. “My parents and siblings have always been 100 percent supportive in my path… Without their enthusiasm and incredible character, it’s hard to say where I’d be.”