By Rich Fisher
Correspondent
When Hunter Brody roamed the halls of Gloucester Catholic High School a decade ago, he was known for engaging in lively sports debates with students and teachers. The question was raised to Ryan Murphy, the school’s enrollment and marketing manager and former assistant athletic director, whether Brody won most of those arguments.
“I’ll put it this way,” Murphy said with a laugh. “He thinks he won most of them.”
This just may make Brody’s new position as on-air commentator for Philadelphia’s 97.5 FM The Fanatic afternoon sports-talk show the perfect job for him.
It’s no secret that sports-talk moderators are aggressively loyal to their views. They listen to a caller’s point but, if the opinion differs from their own, will strongly disagree. And they won’t back down, as conviction is key. That can often seem arrogant. But it’s hardly the way those who know Brody would describe him off the air.
“When Hunter was here, he walked the walk from the standpoint of the Christian faith basis,” said Gloucester Catholic Principal Tom Iacovone, who was a health and physical education teacher when Brody was a student. “He was someone who was always there to help out his fellow students and also his teachers.
“You would not be able to find a teacher who had a negative thing to say about Hunter. He liked to have fun. But he never got close to crossing the line of disrespect. The kid was incredibly positive and uplifting. Hunter definitely reflected the Christian values.”
Get him into a Flyers debate, however, and he’s no angel.
Brody’s knowledge of sports in general and Philadelphia sports in particular is part of what made him one of two replacements for the popular Mike Missanelli in The Fan’s 2 to 6 p.m. drive-time slot. The show, which has been rebranded as “The Best Show Ever?” is also televised on NBC Sports Philadelphia and will debut Aug. 1.
Brody and former Phillies pitcher Ricky Bottalico, also quite free with his opinions on “Phillies Post Game Live,” will join Tyrone Johnson, who moves from Missanelli’s wing man to main host. Jen Scordo will continue to handle newscasts and serve as the “calming” influence amidst the torrid crisscross of viewpoints that fill four hours.
Station Program Director Chuck Damico told The Philadelphia Inquirer that Brody is “a real student of sports talk broadcasting. He brings great energy, a young perspective and is very positive.”
At 27, Hunter has turned his hobby into a high-profile profession. He was unavailable to be interviewed for this story, as two days after his new job was made official, he married Gloucester Catholic sweetheart, the former Cara Allen.
His website, brodesmedia.com, does much of Brody’s talking for him.
According to his biography, Hunter played ice hockey until age 18. As a Gloucester Catholic freshman, he was teammates with NHL All-Star Johnny Gaudreau, who recently left the Calgary Flames to sign with Columbus. Brody played for Gaudreau’s father, Guy.
“He was a very good player,” Murphy said. “He was a really bright kid, too, … an honor student.”
Iacovone noted that “Hunter was a big ice hockey guy but was always at the soccer games to support Cara; she was a good player.”
Brody went on to play junior hockey in Boston and Vermont and played Division III for Stevenson University.
His passion for sports talk radio was as fierce as it was for hockey, and when he realized his future was not on the ice, Brody transferred to Rowan University to major in sports communications and media. He began an in-depth study of talk-show hosts, weighing what he felt was the good and bad of each.
Combining his natural love of sports talk with lessons learned in college, Brody started his own YouTube channel: “Sports Talk with Brodes.” After every Phillies, Sixers, Eagles or Flyers game, Brody opines with whirlwind ferocity about the event just contested. His channel has built up to a staggering 17,000-plus.
He parlayed that success into working for 97.3 ESPN in Atlantic City, and soon gained a producer’s position at 97.5. It didn’t take long for him to start getting on-air weekend gigs, and several times he filled in for Missanelli when he couldn’t make a show.
“He did great when he filled in,” Murphy said. “He was the same guy as always. You know what you’re getting. Hunter is gonna be loud. He’s bringing a ton of energy. He’s not gonna slack off; he’s not gonna sit back and bite his tongue.”
Missanelli’s popularity means there will be pressure on Johnson and the two newcomers to maintain ratings. Murphy is certain the former Ram will hold up his end.
“When Hunter played hockey here, he was a high-level player who could rise to the occasion,” Murphy said. “There’s no doubt he can do that now. I can’t see him being too scared or too overwhelmed or intimidated by that job. That’s not to say he’s not humble, he’s very humble. But I don’t think that seat’s gonna be too big for him to fill.”
Iacovone feels that Brody provides a shining example for his alma mater.
“I’m impressed just watching his path, how he kind of started doing the podcast and worked his way up at the radio station,” the principal said. “I’m incredibly happy for him, and the whole Gloucester Catholic family is happy for him.”
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