By Erik T. Masingill ’12
THE ROUNDUP
Did you know a voice of the Phoenix Suns once treaded the same Brophy halls where students walk daily?
Mr. Tom Leander ’82 is currently a broadcaster for the Phoenix Suns basketball organization. He performs the broadcasts for the road games and the pre-game and halftime shows for the home games.
This is his 17th year working for the Suns.
He said loves his job, but how did he get to that area of expertise?
He explained that by attending Brophy and then transitioning to Loyola Marymount University, he was prepared to become what he is today.
“Brophy College Prep is an incredible school to go to for four years,” Mr. Leander said.
“The school has much more to offer the students these days than in 1982, but regardless, BCP still prepared me well for LMU,” he added.
Mr. Leander spoke of how he pursued his dream at LMU.
“When I was in college, I was a CBS affiliate,” Mr. Leander said. “I had to develop and beef up my resume and background in order for the Suns to accept me.”
Mr. Leander got off to a running start his freshman year by performing three to four broadcasts via radio every afternoon. In fact, he was even listed by the LMU staff as their sports director.
It was that dedication along with that big chunk of jobs on his resume that earned him the job for the Suns.
“Internships are valuable to have,” Mr. Leander said. “They give you a chance to see business and that is how I got to see the good parts of broadcasting.”
He said that although being a broadcaster for a professional basketball team may have its great times, he wishes he could spend all his time with his family.
“Without a doubt, the most challenging part of my job is the task of leaving my family so much on road games,” Mr. Leander said.
There are a total of 41 road games to match 41 home games during the regular season, meaning for half of the season Mr. Leander would not be with his wife and kids.
Mr. Leander’s son Keaton is a freshman at Brophy.
Mr. Leander said he chose to enter a career involved in sports.
He said he may have not been good enough to play in the pros, but he stuck with what he loved and ventured into sports communications.
Mr. Leander said students should stick to one subject, especially one he loves to do and focus on each detail of that subject.
Mr. Leander said he loves his job and he cannot thank Brophy and LMU enough for preparing him for where he is today.
