The Man Who’s Seen Every Play

“Touch…down…Jackrabbits!”

If you’re part of the Jackrabbit family or even remotely familiar with SDSU Athletics, you likely read that in one distinctive voice: Tyler Merriam’s.

One of the most beloved sports announcers in university history, Tyler has become a pillar of the athletic programs, with a signature style and meticulous attention to detail that transports fans listening from afar right into the action. His infectious energy is known to keep listeners hooked, ensuring that even if you can’t attend a game in person, it feels as if you were on the field with the players themselves.

In his role as Associate Athletic Director for Media, Tyler handles radio broadcasts for men’s basketball, baseball, softball, and football – giving him a front row seat as the Jackrabbit football team has made two consecutive and historic runs to Frisco for the FCS National Championship.

To watch Tyler in the broadcast booth during a football game is to watch a master of his craft, pacing the space with marked focus and peering through binoculars to highlight every detail. From the highest highs and the lowest lows of the program since Tyler joined the staff in 2003, he’s been the man to see (and describe) every play - and the man who's seen it all is itching to get back to Frisco.

While it’s difficult to pin down just one favorite part of his job when prompted, Tyler immediately thinks of the people, particularly those who flocked to the national championship in January 2023.

Tyler will soon take in an equally momentous sight at the 2024 National Championship game against the University of Montana, where the Jacks aim to secure a picture-perfect season. While the players have their work cut out for them, so does SDSU’s signature broadcaster. It’ll be Tyler’s job to capture the landmark occasion, leaning on precise description and a tight-knit production team to help bring the entire Jackrabbit family to Frisco, regardless of where they’re tuning in from.

When the yellow and blue community look back on the championship games generations from now, it’ll be Tyler Merriam’s voice narrating those unforgettable memories.

We caught up with Tyler before he set off for Texas, eager to hear what it’s like to be the voice of the Jackrabbits.

Like he humbly summed up, “It is a great reminder of the honor of the job that I have: bringing the moments, student-athletes, and games to life for people.”

You’ve been a pillar of the Jackrabbit family in so many ways, as an alum and now working for SDSU Athletics. How have you seen the Jackrabbit culture grow or evolve over the years?

I was lucky in that my freshman year on campus was our final year in Division II, so I feel like I have had a front row seat to history. I remember watching football games in November where we were lucky to have 1,000 people. Now to see sellout crowds, it’s amazing. The Jackrabbit brand has grown beyond a state or even regional deal – it truly is national. Everywhere you go, airports, restaurants, somebody recognizes the distinct logo and colors or has a connection.

What are some of your favorite memories from last year’s time in Frisco?

Seeing so many people at the pep rally on Saturday night was really cool. From folks I hadn’t seen in years to people I come across every week, it spanned the whole gamut. Beyond that, it was sharing some time with my second family. Our broadcast team is very close, and we spent a lot of that three-day span together. To be able to share that with them was a reminder of how special these people are.

What’s your favorite part about announcing for the Jackrabbits?

I have the opportunity to work with some amazing student-athletes and talented coaches. Building relationships with them is one of my favorite parts. Keeping in touch with them, seeing them come back to campus, watching them get married and have families brings me a lot of joy. I think the other thing is hearing from so many members of Jackrabbit Nation. A lot of folks listen and watch who aren’t able to be in Brookings regularly. When they do get to come back, or when we see them on the road, they come up to me as if I’m an old friend and share stories of how they follow along.

How many games have you witnessed for Jackrabbit football, either while working or simply in attendance as a fan?

Virtually every game I attended, I’ve served in some capacity for the athletic department. I’ve done play-by-play for 173 games and served as the analyst for 22 more. Before that, I worked every home football game for five seasons as a student on the stat crew. I started as a student in the sports information office, working under Ron Lenz and helping any way I could.

If you could go back in time and re-experience just one game from SDSU Football, which one would it be?

If it is limited to the game itself, it would be last year’s national championship. In many respects, personally and professionally, it just felt like a whirlwind. If it encompassed the entire game week, it would be when ESPN’s College Gameday came to Brookings in 2019. Being on the inside of that process, the planning throughout the week, working with all of the good folks that came here to showcase our campus, community, and team – it was a lot of fun.

Have you always wanted to be a sports announcer? What inspired you to pursue that as a career?

I’ve been blessed to know what I wanted to do from a very young age. My parents each grew up in athletic families and were always exposing me to sports. They are also great communicators and very outgoing. I just became infatuated with sports and the whole broadcasting thing very, very early, back in elementary school.

Kris Stephens, who once broadcasted Jackrabbit games, called the high school games in my hometown of Pierre and sort of adopted me, let me sit alongside him, encouraged me. As I dug into it, I became more of a student of the art of broadcasting. To follow in the footsteps of two legends, Norm Hilson and Steve Imming, is not something I take lightly. They are among the best to ever do this, anywhere. I never had the privilege of meeting Norm, but I have gotten to know his family and try to carry on his legacy. I did have the honor of working alongside Steve and learned a lot from him.

What’s a surprising fun fact about your job that those in the yellow and blue community might not know?

In debuting our booth cam for football games this year, I’ve had a long list of people who reached out to tell me things they saw that they didn’t realize happen during our broadcasts. We have a big production; it’s the biggest in the FCS and larger than a lot of FBS programs. I rely heavily on our statisticians, Brad Peterson and Andrew Sogn. Wesden Van Ede holds a large parabolic microphone on the sidelines. The whole thing is something we take a great deal of pride in.

People often describe your dedication to announcing as impressive and your energy during a game as infectious. What keeps you so motivated and passionate when it comes to the Jacks?

Honestly, I’m scared to sound like an uninformed fool. A long time ago, I heard someone say, “Credibility takes years to build and seconds to ruin.” I’ve always taken that to heart. My job is to prepare for any scenario that might occur so that, if it does, I can present it to the fans in the best way possible. That can include anything from studying the rules, being ready with certain audio elements, or having facts about the opponent’s third string quarterback. I look at every game like a pop quiz after a week of classes – you know certain items that will definitely be on the exam, but there might be other elements you prepare for that never pop up.

As for the energy, broadcasters are just like players in that we feed off of the fans. The excitement at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium and Frost Arena is often palpable. To rise with our fans, to meet their level of joy and passion, is fun. On top of describing what is happening, one of the most important parts of broadcasting the games is giving the listeners the same feel for the event that a fan in attendance would have.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

My appreciation for everyone associated with SDSU goes well beyond my job as a broadcaster. The way so many folks around here have welcomed us, my wife and two boys, into the Jackrabbit family has been incredibly touching. We’re grateful for the support we have received, and we count our blessings often. Almost every day, Jill and I share a story about some act of kindness our family has received. For goodness sakes, people refer to our older son as Jackrabbit Joe. So, a huge thank you from the entire Merriam family!

In your opinion, what makes SDSU’s football program different from others?

I think it’s the way we do things around here. It starts at the top with President Dunn, to Justin Sell and then Jimmy and the football staff. You have to be talented to be a Jackrabbit, but you need to be a good fit, have the right mindset. The staff does a tremendous job of finding kids who want to be Jackrabbits and succeed in the classroom and the community on top of what they do on the field. I love being able to share those stories and work with these young men, and I think that’s why the team has been so successful.

Countless members of the Jackrabbit family have struggled to put into words what makes the SDSU Athletics atmosphere so gripping and unique, yet one descriptor frequently comes to mind: special.

It’s Tyler’s job to convey that unparalleled quality of unity and excitement using only audio, a challenge his team strives to tackle. The production staff posts microphones in strategic places to bring the game to life: near the band to carry the music of The Pride of the Dakotas to the audience, near the field so fans can hear the popping of the pads on big hits, and the most important element of all – the roar of the crowd, followed by a familiar voice ringing out, “Touch…down…Jackrabbits!”