When Joe Braverman '20 worked as a play-by-play announcer for Westfield State Athletics, he never thought just a few years later he would be working alongside forty-plus-year Boston Red Sox radio announcer Joe Castiglione, and his partner, Will Flemming. Little did Braverman know that his experiences at Westfield State University would be so pivotal in his sports broadcasting journey.  

Since April of 2022, Braverman has been a producer at WEEI, the Boston Sports Radio Network that is one of the oldest and most notable all-sports radio stations in the country.

Braverman, who served as a play-by-play announcer for Westfield State for all four years as an undergrad, praised the Owls' athletic department for setting the foundational skills he uses today.

"Doing broadcasting, it was great to do," said Braverman, who majored in communication. "We have a tremendous team, a tremendous athletic program, credit to the entire Athletic Department, and everyone who works within it. Overall, it was a tremendous experience." 

He noted that being around a tight community at WSU helped to establish himself.

"When you go to a small school…if you do one thing, people are going to recognize you for that one thing…being recognized (around campus) helped build my brand and my image which I still carry to this day," said Braverman.

Braverman, a 2016 high school graduate of Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough, Mass., knew he wanted a Media/Communications path ever since the beginning of high school. He started as the play-by-play announcer for their sports teams as a part of Northborough Cable Access Television. 

Westfield State checked all of the boxes for what Joe was looking for in a college. He did not hesitate to point out all that WSU had to offer.

"The campus is pretty much so wide," said Braverman. "So having that tight community definitely helps, considering you are seeing the same people, and I think that was very helpful to build connections."

At WEEI his roles vary ranging from show producer to production assistant.

"As a producer, you're editing and gathering sound from everywhere, like press conferences, sports shows and podcasts."

He has interacted with Celtics' head coach Joe Mazzulla and Celtics' guard Derrick White, as well as two former Patriots' Super Bowl champion tight ends in on-air personalities Jermaine Wiggins and Christian Fauria.

He pointed out the incredible talent he works with at WEEI, among those being Greg Hill Show co-host Courtney Cox, on-air personality Christian Arcand, and fellow producer Chris Scheim, among many more.

"I started out working on our late-night programs." He has now transitioned to the main producer for   weekend shows such as The WEEI Producers Show and Fitzy & Hart  with Nick "Fitzy" Stevens and Andy Hart," said Braverman. 

Joe also lends a hand with the weekday shows during the summertime.

"You may be able to hear me on  shows during the week like The Greg Hill Show, Jones & Mego, and The Rich Keefe Show."

Other tasks include reading the sports news updates live on the air and contributing comments during the shows.

Graduating at the height of the pandemic, Braverman persevered through an unprecedented couple of years before any job opportunities became available, and now he is working with some of the best radio talent in the nation. As he continues his journey, he remains grounded and humble, never forgetting the struggles he faced and the efforts he invested.

His last piece of advice for those going into this field? Patience.

"Stay patient," said Braverman. "Build connections, and pay attention to what you are learning now, because you will never know when you will need it in the future."

 -written by Zach Bianco '25 – the Owls current sports PBP announcer

Joe Braverman '20 (top row, center) calls a semifinal game in the 2019 MASCAC women's basketball tournament with partner Nick Eliopoulos (L) and cameraman Adam Colbert (R). (File photo)