Listening is the key to Allan Wylie’s ability to envision and deliver his unique color commentary to each big play, strike-out pitch or third-and-out as a high school sports broadcaster.
Wylie, 18, takes in everything, from crowd noise to his fellow play-by-play announcer, to paint a picture of what’s happening on the field — or on the court — in front of him.
It’s a remarkable, almost unbelievable, skill he says he’s honed since he was 2 years old, tuning into, absorbing and meticulously studying thousands upon thousands of professional, collegiate and high school baseball, football, basketball, hockey and soccer games.
“When I was little, I’d be watching Indians games, well, listening to Tom Hamilton and I guess my mom has a picture somewhere of me with my hands on a boombox radio in our kitchen,” he says.
You see, Wylie has been blind since birth, a fact that seems more like a footnote than anything else for this confident teen with big dreams of becoming a professional sportscaster.
“My dad was the PA announcer for Westlake football and basketball for a few years. On away games, he and I would go out to local high school games in Bay, Fairview or Avon Lake, and I’d ask him to call the game if it was on the radio or something,” he says. “He described the formations to me. He would describe what players are going where, and in baseball he would describe what the pitcher and batter were doing before the pitch was thrown. I got a good idea of what happens on the field, whether it’s baseball, football or basketball.”
Ever since taking TV production classes at Westlake High School and getting an opportunity to call a Westlake football game in 2021, Wylie’s star has been rising. He has attended summer broadcasting camps in Chicago, gathering more skills, confidence and accolades along the way.
In addition to calling Westlake football and basketball games (some even with his dad, Scott), Wylie called a 7-game stint with Cleveland Guardians High-A affiliate, the Lake County Captains, plus two Cleveland Charge games, which is an NBA G League affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Prior to a game, he does copious amounts of research, days’ worth of interviews, memorizing player stats, and then he fully immerses himself in the game with a laser focus on everything he hears.
Wylie plans to go to college and study sports communications and broadcasting when he graduates from Westlake. He hopes his story helps other people who have disabilities and may need some extra motivation.
“If hearing my story can inspire and help some other people, then I feel like I’ve accomplished something.”
