Boomer Broadcast Station Enters a New Era

Atala Johnson ‘28 
johnsonael@lakeforest.edu 
Editor-in-Chief

Whether you are a long-distance parent tuning in to the broadcast, an alum cheering on their alma mater or a current Forester supporting their peers, the Boomer Broadcast Station offers a platform for fans to watch and support Forester athletics. The Boomer Broadcast Station webcasts football, soccer, volleyball, hockey, basketball, softball and lacrosse during every home game.

However, the broadcast has evolved a lot since its creation. 

In the early 2000s, the College did not have its own broadcast network. Sports commentary was conducted through WMXM, the College’s student radio station. During the 2003 softball regional, listeners had to download RealAudio, an early internet streaming technology, to listen to the broadcast online. 

Today, fans can watch Foresters play live from anywhere in the United States. The Boomer Broadcast Station has evolved into a full-scale video production, featuring multiple cameras, advertisements, a digital scoreboard and student announcers providing play-by-play and color commentary.

For Ryan Caparelli, a Forester Athletics alum now serving as the sports marketing specialist, the broadcast’s growth represents an investment in the student contributors who make the production possible. Caparelli oversees the broadcast’s operations while giving students practical experience.

“I care most about what [the Boomer Broadcast Station] does for the students who run it,” Caparelli said. “Lake Forest College doesn’t have a big sports media program, so the Boomer Broadcast Station is really the outlet for students who want to get into this field. It’s a real, hands-on media job.”

Sophomore Eddie Devens, a student contributor, prepares for each game by researching the players, teams and season developments.

“I find a way to work all of that into the broadcast in a flowing manner, so that it feels natural,” Devens said. 

This preparation allows student contributors to practice their sports journalism skills in a live setting. The broadcast is almost entirely student-run, and the students also host the Forester Coach’s Shows and Forester Athlete of the Week interviews. 

“We have a great group of students at the Boomer Broadcast Station right now who are really passionate about it,” Caparelli said. “It’s still a job, but a lot of them have told me they genuinely look forward to calling games and working the broadcast.”

Initially, the Boomer Broadcast Station recruited announcers through a general broadcast crew posting. In Caparelli’s first year as a student videographer, he split the posting into two separate positions: one for the broadcast crew and one for announcers. This investment has elevated the quality of commentary featured in broadcasts of Forester athletic events. 

“The gear has come a long way too,” he said.

Over the past year, the broadcast’s equipment has undergone significant upgrades funded by the athletic department, contributions from Forester athlete families and support from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). These improvements include new cameras for the ice rink, updated audio boards and converters, improved headsets and new broadcast computers, among other additions.

Hands-on training has also become a priority for Caparelli. 

“I want our students to understand not just how to set up a broadcast, but why everything works the way it does. That technical knowledge is something they can carry with them into the workforce,” he said. 

The Boomer Broadcast Station has helped launch the careers of several successful alumni. Cam McGuire, a former Forester hockey announcer, was named ECHL Broadcaster of the Year just a few years after graduating. Adam Plager, who served as a primary commentator throughout much of his four years at the College, has since begun calling minor league hockey and baseball. In his first season after graduation, Plager was named the 2025 Futures League Broadcaster of the Year.

As the Boomer Broadcast Station continues to grow, its ongoing improvements promise an even brighter future for Forester athletics and the students behind the broadcast.

“My hope is that it keeps improving every year,” Caparelli said.