Bradley University Athletics

As the radio play-by-play announcer for the Bradley men's basketball team for nearly 1,300 games since 1979, Dave Snell has served as the Voice of the Braves for 41 years.  That title now applies to all of Bradley Athletics moving forward, however, as Snell has been appointed Assistant Director of Athletics Communications in June 2010.

In his role, Snell helps oversee the production of video features for the athletic department's official website, BradleyBraves.com and graphic displays in the University's new on-campus arena, as well as for Bradley athletics events at Carver Arena and Dozer Park, televised games and special events.  In addition to his direct role with the athletic department, Snell teaches a broadcasting class in the Slane College of Communications as part of the University's popular new Sports Communication degree program, providing him the opportunity to mentor the next generation of Bradley broadcasters.

In a way, Snell's career has come full circle.  A 1976 Bradley graduate with a degree in communications (radio and television), the Pekin, Ill., native was Bradley's co-sports information director during his senior year.  After beginning his professional career by working in the front office for the NBA's Phoenix Suns during the 1976-77 season, Snell returned to Central Illinois and began his broadcasting career by calling high school football and basketball games for WTAZ, while also providing sports reports for WIRL from 1977-79. 

Snell joined the WMBD radio and television staff in 1979, serving as sports director for both the radio and television entities until 2001, when he left the television station to join the Bradley University Development staff.  Calling the action for WMBD AM 1470, Snell has participated in 1,283 consecutive Bradley Basketball radio broadcasts in his 41 seasons as the Voice of the Braves and will add to that number when he opens his 42nd season as the Voice of the Braves in 2020-21.  A board member of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, Snell was inducted into the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame Jan. 16, 2010.