Denton ISD Our Impact In Your Community Magazine Winter 2017-18 | Page 22

Dave Barnett was the recipient of two Emmy awards in 2014, each tied for first in the “Sports: Interview Discussion” category. Who: 1975 Graduate of Denton High School Hometown: Denton Age: 59 Catching Up with… Dave Barnett Story by Courtney Martin Photo by Melissa Green What’s up? Listening to a professional ball game on a transistor radio as a boy growing up in Denton, sparked an idea that has turned into a high-profile career. After graduating Denton High School in 1975 and earning a bachelor’s degree in Radio-TV-Film from the University of North Texas, Dave Barnett became one of the youngest sports broadcasters for a professional sports team in history. Among his other notable achievements, he has covered the 2010 World Series for the Texas Rangers, as well as, four Orange Bowls, two Fiesta Bowls, one Rose and one Sugar Bowl for ESPN Radio. And, since leaving the booth as the primary voice of the Texas Rangers, Barnett’s journey has led him back to where it all began – the University of North Texas. Now, he’s broadcasting football and basketball games for the Mean Green and enjoys being an educator, teaching the next generation of journalist. But don’t take our word for it, here’s Dave in his own words… Denton ISD: Did you always know you wanted to become a broadcaster? Dave Barnett: I really did, starting at the age of 8. I discovered baseball on the radio and thought it sounded better to be a broadcaster 22 than a player. I was sick with tonsillitis on a family trip to San Antonio so I couldn’t go out and do anything. I had an old transistor radio and I’d listen to music during the day. Then at night, I listened to the Astros game being broadcasted, and I was hooked! I originally thought those guys got in free to games, then realized it was their job. My dad worked in an office, and I thought it was great to get paid to go to baseball games! DISD: You’ve worked for a lot of well-known organizations during your career – tell us about some of your most memorable moments. DB: Getting the phone call from my professor at North Texas (now UNT) towards the end of my junior year was one of my best moments. To be 20-years-old and earn a job as a broadcaster with KRLD was incredible. Three years after that, I was offered the Mavericks. There hadn’t been a 23-year-old broadcaster in the NBA before, either! Each job has been better than the previous one. I went from there to the Spurs which got me in at ESPN and I got to cover my three favorite sports (football, baseball and basketball). From there, I went to the Rangers, a team I’d followed since I was 13.