Barnett Signs off as Reign Broadcaster
March 6, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
ONTARIO, Calif. - The Ontario Reign, defending Pacific Division Champions and proud affiliate of the NHL's 2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings, announced that team Broadcaster and Account Executive Nathan Barnett will be leaving the team to accept a position with the MLB Texas Rangers' AA affiliate, the Frisco RoughRiders.
"Leaving before the season was over was an extremely challenging and difficult decision - one I did not take lightly," Barnett said. "The opportunity with the RoughRiders however puts me on an excellent path to my ultimate dream to make it into a major league press box one day," Barnett said about his departure from the Reign.
Barnett was the Reign's first full-time, traveling broadcaster and made his debut this season. Including his final broadcast on Wednesday, Mar. 6, Barnett will have called 63 games for the Reign including the team's two pre-season games. He got his start with the team as an Inside Sales Representative and was promoted to an Account Executive following the 2011-12 season.
"Working with the Reign has been incredibly eye-opening," Barnett said. "The Reign organization taught me what minor league sports should be - professional and serious, yet family-oriented and fun. I feel honored to have worked around a group of people who are as passionate about what they do as the Reign staff is."
With Frisco, Barnett, a native of Dallas, Texas, will be the Media Relations and Broadcasting Assistant where his duties will include play-by-play and color commentary in addition to assisting in media publications including the team's daily program. His role will also include being the liaison between the RoughRiders and local media members.
"I want to thank Justin Kemp for giving me the tremendous opportunity he did; Ryan Miller for understanding the unique challenges of my position and supporting me every day; Laura Tolbirt for taking me into the media family and making my job as easy as possible, and the fans. The support of everyone who listened has made all of the hard work seem easy and the long hours seem short. To the coaches and players, thanks for making "Radio" feel welcomed and a part of the team - I'm looking forward to watching the entire Kelly Cup run."
Broadcasting intern Jesse Liebman will take over the Reign microphone for the remainder of the season and into playoffs to call both home and away games. Liebman has been working with Barnett all season and has provided color commentary, team statistics, and production assistance.
Tune in to Nathan Barnett's final Reign broadcast tonight, Mar. 6, at 6:40 p.m. as the Reign take on the Las Vegas Wranglers at home. Click HERE to listen live via First Team Broadcasting, click HERE to watch the game via America One Sports.
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