During the teenage years, most kids are scrolling through social media, trying to fit in, and figuring out who they want to become. At just 14 years old, Pat Boylan already had a clear vision. As he watched the Indiana Pacers from his living room, he knew he wanted to call the game.
Getting involved with the radio and television stations at Carmel High School confirmed his passion for sports broadcasting and play-by-play.
Although Pat came from an Indiana University family and visited IU first, a conversation about his career goals led him in an unexpected direction. He was told Ball State University would offer stronger hands-on opportunities for what he wanted to pursue.
One campus visit was all it took.
At Ball State, Pat didn’t just see potential; he stepped into it.
Chris Taylor had just launched Sports Link and encouraged Pat to join. That invitation became a defining moment. Through Sports Link, he gained extensive on-camera and behind-the-scenes experience in editing, producing, and television play-by-play.
He didn’t stop there.
Pat also worked for WCRD, serving as the play-by-play broadcaster for Ball State football for three years and traveling with the team. In the offseason, he covered basketball.
On Friday nights during his junior and senior years, he worked at WISH-TV covering high school sports, sharpening his skills in shooting, editing, setup, and post-production. Summer breaks meant internships in the sports departments at Channel 6 and later Channel 8.
By the time he graduated in 2013, Pat had built a résumé that many broadcasters spend years trying to assemble.
“Thanks to Carmel and Ball State, I felt like I already had seven years of real-world experience heading into my first job,” Pat said.
That first job took him to Bismarck, North Dakota, with BEK Sports, where he continued learning every aspect of the broadcast process, from running cable to creating graphics to stepping in for television play-by-play.
Just one year later, the opportunity he had dreamed about since childhood became reality.
In 2014, Pat was hired by Jamie Berns to work for the Indiana Pacers and the Indiana Fever.
“The Pacers and Fever believed in me when I was 24 years old,” Pat said. “They believed that with some development, it could turn into something really special.”
In 2018, he became the Indiana Fever’s full-time announcer.
Today, in addition to that role, he serves as the pregame and halftime host, postgame locker room reporter, and sideline reporter for Pacers radio broadcasts. He also hosts Pacers Weekly on Saturday mornings and co-hosts a Pacers podcast with fellow Ball State alum Jeremiah Johnson.
“It keeps me busy,” Pat said, “but it’s something I wake up every day passionate about. I have a ton of gratitude for what I get to do. It’s truly a dream come true.”
Pat credits much of his growth to the opportunities he found at Ball State, not just in the classroom, but beyond it. Even with a clear goal in mind, college became a space to grow, adapt, and prepare for life as a professional.
His advice to students is simple: Get involved early. Join Sports Link. Work at WCRD. Write for the Daily News. Say yes to opportunities that stretch you. College is the time to test your path and pivot if needed.
At Ball State, immersive, hands-on experiences aren’t extras. They are the foundation.
“I think being a Ball State Cardinal is woven into the fabric of who I am, both professionally and personally,” Pat said. “Those four years became my foundation.”
Because of Ball State, students like Pat don’t just dream about calling the game; they prepare to lead it.
If you’re interested in building the next generation of journalists and broadcasters, consider making a gift to support the College of Communication, Information, and Media at bsu.edu/give (Fund 7418).