Behind The Scenes

Young Joe Davis progresses from Beloit to Biscuits to ESPN platforms and Bristol campus visit

Joe Davis grew up in Potterville, Mich., the son of a football coach, dreaming of becoming a sportscaster.

Joe Davis preparing to call the 2013 NCAA Women’s College Basketball Tournament at Duke University’s Cameron Indoor Stadium for ESPN2. (Photo courtesy of Joe Davis)
Joe Davis preparing to call the 2013 NCAA Women’s College Basketball Championship for ESPN2. (Photo courtesy of Beloit College)

Yesterday, he visited ESPN’s Bristol, Conn. headquarters for the first time, a full-time play-by-play commentator for the company. The photo gallery chronicles the meeting-filled day on campus from Davis’ perspective.

“ESPN is a dream come true,” he told the Beloit (Wis.) College alumni newsletter earlier this year. Upon graduating in 2010, Davis became the country’s youngest Double A broadcaster at age 22 when he was named radio voice of the Montgomery (Ala.) Biscuits, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. That season — two years before being named Southern League Broadcaster-of-the-Year — he began his path to ESPN.

“Joe was recommended by a Biscuits listener, and he was one of those finds where I immediately knew there was potential,” said Mike Moore, a Charlotte-based Senior Coordinating producer. “We traded emails and clips. I gave him feedback and advice, but he worked hard and improved to the point where we were ready to give him a closer look and started with some ESPN3 baseball last spring. He did so well that the Charlotte CP’s considered him for other sports, and he landed a regular spot in our football and basketball rotation.”

Joe Davis can be heard calling college play-by-play on various ESPN platforms. His next assignment: The Big East Softball Championship, Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN3 (re-air at midnight on ESPNU).

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