While the term ‘dream job? has become somewhat of a cliche, Dan Dickerson really has one.
The Independence Township resident is greatly enjoying his time as play-by-play announcer for the Detroit Tigers.
‘It is awesome. It is so much fun,? Dickerson said. ‘It truly is a dream job. I can’t imagine a better job than this.?
As a kid in Birmingham, Dickerson couldn’t imagine being in this position while listening to legendary Ernie Harwell call games. Little did he know that one day he would be able to both work with and eventually succeed Harwell.
‘That I listened to Ernie Harwell as a kid made this that much more special. It might be an intimidating situation because of the status of Harwell, but it wasn’t because of the type of person he is. He has a remarkable ability to put people at ease and be so personable,? Dickerson said.
Harwell was such a personable individual that when Dickerson called him in 1992 in the hopes of getting Harwell to listen to some of his announcing tapes, Ernie invited Dickerson to his home. The two listened to the tapes at Harwell’s kitchen table before the legendary announcer gave Dickerson some helpful hints he still uses today.
It was eight years later when Dickerson joined Harwell in the broadcast booth, but he was no rookie to radio. Dickerson first got bit by the ‘broadcasting bug? when he was a freshman at Ohio Wesleyan University.
‘It was a small school of only about 2,000 so you just had to show up at the radio station and you got a shift,? Dickerson said. ‘It was just perfect for me. I got some experience as a disc jockey as well as experience in news and sports.?
Dickerson began his professional broadcasting career in Grand Rapids with WMAX radio in 1980.
‘I was doing strictly news but I knew that I eventually wanted to do sports. I always had a love for sports,? Dickerson said.
After finally getting a chance to do some sports out in Grand Rapids in 1987, Dickerson returned to news and the metro Detroit area after marrying his wife Lori in the fall of 1988. Lori was working for the Detroit Free Press and her boss was able to open some doors for Dickerson which led to a part-time job at WWJ.
‘He knew the predicament we were in and made some phone calls and wrote a few letters. I am very grateful for his help,? Dickerson said.
The two-day-a-week job quickly turned into full time for Dickerson. In addition to his news job, Dickerson was able to get back into sports by hosting the Detroit Lions postgame shows.
However, Dickerson got his big break in the fall of 1995 when he became a fill-in play-by-play announcer for the University of Michigan football. Frank Beckman was broadcasting Tiger games and due to a scheduling conflict, Dickerson was able to broadcast a few Wolverine games.
‘When I look back on it today, it was a huge opportunity. I was able to broadcast major college football games in a major market,? Dickerson said. ‘I always knew that eventually I wanted to do play-by-play.?
Dickerson was a fill-in for Michigan football for four years which included broadcasting the Alamo Bowl. The opportunity also included broadcasting some Michigan basketball.
All that experience, along with some help along the way, helped Dickerson land his dream job as Detroit Tigers announcer.
Dickerson said he is enjoying his job as much as ever. The announcer finds it humorous that people will ask if he still enjoys the job since last year was a rough one for the Tigers on the ball field.
‘I always say that I am fine. Sure, you would like to see the team win a little more, but I still get paid to go to the ballpark everyday and watch baseball. So I tell them I am fine,? Dickerson said.
Dickerson said he learned a valuable lesson from working with Harwell.
‘He always told me that every game stands on its own. Whether it be a star on the other team or Jeremy Bonderman making his first start there is a reason everybody tuned into the game. It sounds simple but it is important,? Dickerson said. ‘I remember back in 1975 when they lost 19 in a row, as a kid I still tuned in and listened.?
In the off-season, Dickerson is spending his time teaching a class at Michigan State University. For those who also want a career in sports broadcasting, the Tigers announcer has some advice.
‘I tell the students to never let anyone discourage you from what your dream is. In radio there seems to be fewer jobs but they are always looking for good, creative and energetic people,? Dickerson said. ‘I tell them to make sure they do an internship to get their foot in the door. You have to show people that you have value and that you are sharp. That is how you get an opportunity.?
Dickerson and wife Lori, along with their children nine-year-old Rachel and five-year-old Justin, moved to Independence Township six years ago. At the time they were in Royal Oak and were looking to help Lori with her commute to East Lansing. A friend who was a builder suggested Clarkston.
‘We love it here. We love the feel of the village. My wife enjoys walking into Rudy’s Market and having them know her first name. We belong to Deer Lake and love it. We know a lot of really good people and love the small town feel. This is the perfect place for us. We couldn’t be happier,? Dickerson said.