From 2005 to 2014, DU Athletics had a featured broadcaster, Mitch Hyder, who was best known for his radio play-by-play for the University of Denver’s men’s basketball team. A jack-of-all-trades, Hyder also did play-by-play for women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, and men’s and women’s lacrosse. The transition to a new voice has taken time but current play-by-play announcer, Tyler Maun has assumed the mantle as the voice of the Denver Pioneers.
Immediately following the departure of Hyder, there was no consistent voice in the broadcast booth associated with Denver Athletics, outside the dulcet tones of Jay Stickney for DU hockey. Generally, broadcast duties fell on the shoulders of any number of broadcasters when Maun began to build his DU sports broadcasting portfolio in 2015. His first assignment was covering DU men’s lacrosse. Over time, employed by Denver Sports Properties and Altitude, Maun has picked up more assignments with DU Athletics and his role and visibility have expanded over the past seven years. In addition to men’s lacrosse, he is now closely associated with DU at any number of athletic events on TV, radio, or Pioneer All-Access, Denver’s online broadcast outlet. Listeners have heard Maun call a number of sports for the Pioneers to include both men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, hockey (TV & radio), and gymnastics. He also conducts special features and coach shows as well for DenverPioneers.com and DU Twitter. Currently, the majority of his time is spent as the play-by-play announcer of Denver men’s basketball.
THAT'S. GAME. @SportsCenter #SCTop10 @KingPopi11 @toukotainamo #ItsTime #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/lw8bL5lH3q
— Denver Men's Basketball (@DU_MensHoops) December 22, 2021
While Renaissance Man may sound a bit strong, Maun has assembled wide-ranging interests both inside and outside of athletic broadcasting. An avid reader, Maun can easily discuss his latest book, seamlessly transition to his favorite streaming content (British sitcom –Peep Show) on Hulu or share his thoughts on Major League Baseball’s player lockout. He has 4,170 Twitter followers who track his observations of Denver sports history, all things Colorado, baseball (major & minor leagues), literature, politics, current events, dog rescue and adoption, and a host of other topics. He even hosts a baseball blog on minor league baseball, The Show Before the Show among his many outside endeavors.
Maun is a local Denverite and hails from the Virginia Village neighborhood in Denver. He became a Big Red football fan while earning a University of Nebraska (Lincoln) degree in broadcast journalism. After graduation, Maun returned to his native Denver and began his career at a small, local sports-talk radio station. Outside endeavors also included play-by-play for the minor-league Myrtle Beach Pelicans in South Carolina and assignments in Sydney, Australia helping Major League Baseball launch a league, among a host of other professional assignments.
Niko Blankenship, Director of Communications & Digital Media for the University of Denver, cites Maun’s positive presence: “He’s a beacon of positivity, and from my experience coaches aren’t just willing, but are truly excited every time they get the opportunity to work with Tyler. He’s a true professional sprinkled with just the right amount of comedy and flair that makes his broadcasts very entertaining.” Blankenship also appreciates Maun’s versatility, “His ability to do any sport has been a tremendous asset to the athletic department, and I’ve truly been blessed to be able to work with such an amazing individual. One day, I hope we hear him calling games in Major League Baseball, but until then, I’m glad he’s a Pioneer.”
“He is the consummate professional,” Men’s Basketball Head basketball Jeff Wulbrun told LetsGoDU. “He is an elite-level play-by-play voice of basketball and other sports as well. In all my years of coaching basketball, I have never worked with a play-by-play man who does his homework and dives into his work the way Tyler does. He is at almost every practice, studies all materials, statistics, and analytical info available to him, not only gets to know all the coaches and players but invests in them and builds meaningful relationships. He studies the game and conference opponents. We are so fortunate to have Tyler work with us! I am always talking about striving for excellence in all you do, and Tyler is a perfect reflection of that.”
As for future career ambitions, Maun prefers to remain in the present with the exciting challenges associated with calling a variety of sports at DU. Maun is further energized by the progress of Denver men’s basketball, a team he sees clearly on the rise. That team, potentially, could lead to Maun making one of the greatest calls in University of Denver sports history, if and when DU wins the Summit League Tournament and goes to the NCAA tournament.
Fans recognize and appreciate having a steady voice associated with the University of Denver who understands the culture, the coaches, the fans, and the players. Maun has done his homework to immerse himself in all the responsibilities of being the public voice of the Denver Pioneers and thus, earning the trust of the listening public.
Top photo: Maun and his dog, Laika, hiking Greys and Torreys Peaks in Arapaho National Forest, courtesy of Tyler Maun
Since I live in NJ, and never miss a broadcast, I hear Tyler often. He’s excellent. DU needs to give him some road trips, like this Saturday to Utah for lacrosse.