After graduating from college, Michael worked for Channel 2 in Baltimore, as a freelance reporter at golf tournaments across the country, and in the late 1980s, was hired at Westwood One. GW hired him in 1992 to call basketball games and in his first season, the men's team had its best season in program history.
The '92-'93 team, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16, was probably Michael's favorite squad, he said. The late Yinka Dare led the Colonials to a third round match-up against University of Michigan. GW even had the ball, down by two points late in the game - but ended up falling to Chris Webber and the rest of the Fab Five.
"People here treat me like family," Michael said of his time at GW. However, his collegiate ancestral roots stretch beyond Foggy Bottom and into the Midwest. South Bend, Ind. specifically, where he hosts a University of Notre Dame pre-game show.
Notre Dame and GW are both well-funded, private universities. But the two are like "apples and oranges really," said Michael, who wears a gleaming ND 1988 championship ring with his surname emblemized in gold letters. "At Notre Dame it's football and the tradition is there and it's a real special place ... Here it's so fresh in everybody's mind. When (GW) got in the Top 25 this year, it was a big deal."
Michael's opinions have sprouted from his years of experience. Working in all sorts of sports has increased his expertise. He may not always be the star of the show, but he always knows his role, Kvancz said. For example, during Redskins' broadcasts, former NFL stars Sonny Jurgensen and Sam Huff provide their expert opinions while Michael takes care of yard markings and the down and distance. Still, he is always prepared, never overmatched by a task, Kvancz said.
"He's speaking with a little bit of knowledge," Kvancz said. "He's confident in what he does. He does a lot of things. He does boxing for crying out loud."
All the work and preparation admittedly detracts from Michael's personal life. He plays golf and works out but said he spends most of his free time with his wife and three children in McLean, Va.
Still, Beattie said, "Sportscasting can be a hobby too, that's why it's such a great job." That was seemingly evident last week before the Colonials' game against Xavier. Michael looked to be having a great time. Before he had to be on-air, he grabbed a few cookies from the Smith Center media room, dropped them off to his children sitting in the stands, then strolled through the arena smiling and saying hello to a handful of people on the way to the courtside broadcasting table.
He is the voice of GW and the Redskins, which has vaulted him into local celebrity status.
"I actually sign autographs now," Michael said, "which I think is absurd."
The '92-'93 team, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16, was probably Michael's favorite squad, he said. The late Yinka Dare led the Colonials to a third round match-up against University of Michigan. GW even had the ball, down by two points late in the game - but ended up falling to Chris Webber and the rest of the Fab Five.
"People here treat me like family," Michael said of his time at GW. However, his collegiate ancestral roots stretch beyond Foggy Bottom and into the Midwest. South Bend, Ind. specifically, where he hosts a University of Notre Dame pre-game show.
Notre Dame and GW are both well-funded, private universities. But the two are like "apples and oranges really," said Michael, who wears a gleaming ND 1988 championship ring with his surname emblemized in gold letters. "At Notre Dame it's football and the tradition is there and it's a real special place ... Here it's so fresh in everybody's mind. When (GW) got in the Top 25 this year, it was a big deal."
Michael's opinions have sprouted from his years of experience. Working in all sorts of sports has increased his expertise. He may not always be the star of the show, but he always knows his role, Kvancz said. For example, during Redskins' broadcasts, former NFL stars Sonny Jurgensen and Sam Huff provide their expert opinions while Michael takes care of yard markings and the down and distance. Still, he is always prepared, never overmatched by a task, Kvancz said.
"He's speaking with a little bit of knowledge," Kvancz said. "He's confident in what he does. He does a lot of things. He does boxing for crying out loud."
All the work and preparation admittedly detracts from Michael's personal life. He plays golf and works out but said he spends most of his free time with his wife and three children in McLean, Va.
Still, Beattie said, "Sportscasting can be a hobby too, that's why it's such a great job." That was seemingly evident last week before the Colonials' game against Xavier. Michael looked to be having a great time. Before he had to be on-air, he grabbed a few cookies from the Smith Center media room, dropped them off to his children sitting in the stands, then strolled through the arena smiling and saying hello to a handful of people on the way to the courtside broadcasting table.
He is the voice of GW and the Redskins, which has vaulted him into local celebrity status.
"I actually sign autographs now," Michael said, "which I think is absurd."
