Lots of people want to work in sports, particularly in Cleveland. A career in broadcasting, writing, or sports information can be fun and thrilling, and can seem like a dream come true.
But not everyone can make it in sports. Starting out, you have to endure long hours, sparse pay, and fierce competition.
Despite facing down all of these obstacles, Brendan Gulick '09 hasn't given up. He's grinded through plenty of challenging days, working as a freelancer for the past several years. And now he's been rewarded for his efforts.
Gulick has been named the new publisher, managing editor and beat reporter for the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sports Illustrated. The website is now live on BuckeyesNow.com and on social media (Facebook: @BuckeyesNowSI, Twitter: @BuckeyesNowSI, and Instagram: @buckeyesnowsi.
“I am really excited for this new adventure to cover Ohio State on Sports Illustrated," Gulick says. "While it’s my job to publish content and follow the beat for the Buckeyes, I am also running a business and managing a team of exceptionally talented people that are working for us."
As Gulick alluded to, he's now a business owner, solely responsible for the content on Buckeyes Now, operating Sports Illustrated's Ohio State channel. With such a large Ohio State fan base, the opportunity is immense.
"Lots of places try to claim it, but I truly believe Buckeye fans are the most passionate in the country," Gulick says. "We have some creative, fun ideas in store to help connect them with their favorite players and teams."
Gulick is no newbie to covering the Buckeyes. For the past two years, he has worked as a Play-by-Play announcer for Ohio State, calling field hockey, men's and women's soccer, men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, and baseball and softball on BigTenNetwork+.
Besides his work with the Buckeyes, Gulick has freelanced for a host of other prestigious schools and organizations. Gulick has worked for the NCAA, the University of Pittsburgh, Baldwin Wallace University, Spectrum Sports Ohio, the National Women’s Soccer League, and the United Soccer League. If you're a sports fan, you've probably also heard his voice on 92.3 The Fan, as Gulick has been a sports anchor there since 2017.
And his resume doesn't end there! Before becoming a freelancer, he broadcasted for the Rockford Aviators (minor league baseball), Southeastern Oklahoma State, Dayton Dragons (minor league baseball), the University of Cincinnati, the Delmarva Shorebirds (minor league baseball), and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Yes, Gulick has worked for everything he's earned. Everywhere he goes, he makes an impact.
That includes Saint Ignatius and John Carroll University. Gulick founded the Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Network, launching the fledgling operation in 2007. Since then, the SIBN has grown by leaps and bounds. But when you turn on the SIBN to watch the Wildcats, you have Gulick to thank.
With his new venture, Gulick plans to rely heavily on something the Jesuit believe in wholeheartedly: Storytelling.
"Storytelling is at the heart of what we do and Sports Illustrated is an iconic brand in sports journalism over the last 65 years that set the bar for this industry," Gulick says. "As their brand shifts toward a more community-driven, digital presence in local markets around the nation, we are confident that Buckeye fans will enjoy the video and written content we will provide. Go Bucks!”
Brendan is just the type of person you love to root for, so even if you don't love the Buckeyes, we hope you'll join us in supporting him and Buckeyes Now. Knowing Brendan, the coverage will be top-notch.
Congratulations, Brendan!