In an effort to give back to his alma mater, Marist University alumnus Brandon Tierney spoke to a group of current and prospective students about his life and career.
Growing up, Tierney always had a passion for broadcasting. Having a vision is important, he stressed, which helps to explain how he got on his path early.
“I think I determined very early in my life that I was going for it,” said Tierney.
Tierney, a member of the class of 1996, explained how important it is to do more than just care. Authenticity is a great trait to possess, but building a foundation of work ethic is essential in a field where progression is not always linear.
“You have to have it in you. You have to be able to look yourself in the mirror and say, ‘if I am not able to do what I want to do for a living, then I won’t be fulfilled.”’
Brandon Tierney
Being able to balance sports and academics is one of the reasons he committed to play baseball at Marist.
“Marist was the best profile”, said Tierney. “I remember when I came up and I saw the campus, I really liked it.”
Tierney appreciated being able to play baseball right away. Being a relatively new program at the time, Tierney balanced the opportunity to help build the program, as well as participate in a great journalism department.
Despite not finding much success on the diamond, the WFAN radio host says that his experiences “calloused” him and prepared him for future hardships. In his senior year at Marist, Tierney underwent Tommy John surgery, but still wanted to pursue a baseball career after college. Tierney signed with an independent league team, only to be placed on the injured list with a different injury.
With his baseball career over, Tierney needed to find another job. For financial stability, he took a job on Wall Street, similar to other athletes he played with at Marist.
Despite a solid salary and stable position, Tierney knew he still wanted to be a broadcaster. As a result, he spent time on a website that listed every radio station around the country and started reaching out to as many as he could. Sending stations demo tapes, articles he had written and anything else he thought might interest them. Rejected by all but one: a little station in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Unlike other cities, high school football is big in states like Pennsylvania. While at this job, the station asked Tierney to commentate on a high school football game. He had never done so before, but he wanted to take the opportunity to continue to learn. Tierney remembers listening to the call on the way home and liking parts of it, but knew what parts could be improved. The experience taught him the importance of observing and learning.
Eight months into Tierney’s tenure, the station folded, forcing him to pivot. Able to secure a job in Las Vegas, he did not have the money to relocate. This left the motivated Tierney with two options: give up on his dream or drive across the country.
With an unconventional path to where he is today, Tierney recommends students work towards something that they want to do, instead of pursuing careers that they have no interest in.
“You have to have the right focus in terms of what you want to do,” Tierney said. “Otherwise, you could end up wasting valuable time instead of gaining experience.”
Nearly three decades later, Tierney still applies lessons he learned at Marist in his professional day-to-day.
Tierney is a big family man and is at the point in his career where he can see his family often while working full-time.
“When I’m climbing up that ladder, it’s all about me,” said Tierney.
Tierney waited to get married and start a family because he wanted to make sure he would be able to be around.
Age has not only given Tierney wisdom, appreciation and perspective but also a career that has been long and consistent, something he is proud of.
Edited by Mike Schiavone, Ryan Eichem and Cara Lacey
Photo Courtesy of Cara Lacey
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