The Voice That Echoes Through the Arena

Fulfilling dreams and aspirations can come in many different ways and in Daniel Tom’s story, sometimes it’s about the perfect timing.

Mark Jackson passes the ball to the corner. Jeff Stacks has two defenders around him with only five seconds left in the game. Five, four, three, Stacks shoots up a tough shot, two, ONE! BEEEPP! HE SCORES IT! Stacks wins CSUDH the game in overtime 102-101!

In the heart of the game, where the air is charged with anticipation and excitement, one voice rises above the roar of the crowd, commanding attention and setting the stage for an unforgettable experience: public address announcer and California State University, Dominguez Hills alumnus Daniel Tom. Tom strikes the mic with pure intention and enthusiasm with each word he conveys to the crowd.

Born in Torrance, Tom has always loved the spirit of sports and has an immense passion for the culture as a whole. In 2021, he proudly put on a cap and gown, marking the culmination of his academic journey as a Communications major with a focus on Journalism.

"Choosing to pursue journalism was truly the best decision of my life," Tom said enthusiastically.

Growing up, Tom's daily immersion in sports ignited a curiosity about game announcing. He recognized that this career path would allow him to forge connections with students and athletes, and it would lead to him connecting with amazing mentors along the way.

Tom refused to let obstacles hinder his pursuit of his sports-related dreams. His drive to achieve these goals started freshman year of high school, when he began announcing games. It was ultimately the beginning of the first-ever movement of student-announcer programs in Carson.

When the time came to apply for college, Tom applied to several; CSUDH was at the bottom of the list. However, Dominguez Hills was the only one that said yes.

"When I talked to my parents about whether to go to a junior college or Dominguez, they assured me that I shouldn't ever write off a CSU when they were giving me an amazing four-year opportunity," Tom said.

Tom studied Journalism under the Communications Department while working in the Student Athletics Department under game management. The experience was "immensely helpful," especially since Tom could build his credibility within the field of sports.

"We did everything from game stats to announcing games to even monitoring staff and that got my foot in the door to get future opportunities," Tom said. "When they finally gave me my chance I was filling in for someone who had been announcing for 25 years and I was nervous but I knew that surely everything was going to fall into place."

With nerves heightened in the announcer booth, Tom knew he could be prepared for any game. Even when Tom explained that he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after he was born, he emphasized that it didn't matter if he couldn't play contact sports because he knew his true intentions.

Things were going well for Tom until the coronavirus shut down schools—and sports programs—his junior year of college.

During this time, Tom had more time to develop his writing skills. He liked not having a restricted essay style of writing like in standard English classes because it let his creativity flow into new levels of storytelling.

"When you're working in athletics and COVID shuts everything down, you don't know where to turn to," Tom explained. "But in news writing, you can write your own stories and have your own voice heard without having to control some sort of narrative."

Next Tom enrolled in the student newspaper class at CSUDH.

"It was the best thing to ever happen to me here," Tom said. "I had the ability to write about so many opportunities and have control over what I was publishing. Whether that was for my internship News4usonline or for CSUDH, I felt accomplished because I was able to do something."

His path back to public addressing came just after he graduated. Athletics asked Tom to return. His voice echoed once more, marking the beginning of a journey that would see him addressing numerous athletic games in the years to come. The opportunity allowed him to achieve his goal.

"I'm so happy with where my career is and I feel I have accomplished a lot with what I have done," Tom said. "If there is a way I can make public addressing a full-time job and then squeeze in a little journalism, I think that would be the best thing possible."

CSU broadcaster Jimmy Becket has taken note of Tom at many games.

"I feel his voice just sits with you like you are talking to him in a conversation, what a lovely man," Becket said.

Play-by-play Los Angeles broadcaster Andrew Rector, a close friend, says Tom's work ethic is "unreal."

"He worked so hard to be where he is and I feel he deserves the spotlight," Rector said. "I think he will stay for a while because he is loved here and I think his determination will only let him keep growing as an amazing person and announcer."

Tom hopes to remain in his role as a public address announcer and to give back to the CSUDH community.

"I want to help the students the same way I was helped," Tom concluded. "I want to be there for them because if they succeed that makes me happy."