Michael Admire is the Director of Broadcasting at Drake University, a role he has held since 2018, where he serves as the Voice of the Bulldogs' men's basketball team and tells the powerful stories of Drake student-athletes, coaches, and the Bulldog community. Through his work on ESPN+, radio, podcasts, and digital platforms, Michael brings Drake Athletics to life while building meaningful connections between the university and the Des Moines community.
He is the host of the 515 Podcast and the Hometown Hoops Podcast, where he highlights the people, stories, and culture that make Drake and Des Moines special. As an ESPN+ broadcaster, Michael calls Drake Football and a wide range of Bulldog sports.
Beyond broadcasting, Michael plays a key role in Drake’s marketing and brand identity efforts, helping strengthen the connection between the university and the city through the “Des Moines’ Hometown Team” initiative. He helped create signature events such as Hometown Team Weekend and Drake Hoops Fest, both designed to celebrate community pride, increase engagement, and make Drake Athletics a central part of the Des Moines experience.
Before joining Drake, Michael spent seven years in television news as a sports reporter and anchor. From 2013-18, he worked at WHO13 in Des Moines as part of the Upper Midwest Emmy Award–winning sports team, covering high school, collegiate and professional sports while developing a reputation for compelling storytelling. He began his professional career at KOAM from 2011 to 2013, gaining experience as a reporter and anchor. Today, he continues his relationship with WHO13 as a Special News Contributor, focusing on sharing inspiring stories about Iowans and the people making a difference in their communities.
Michael’s passion for sports broadcasting began at home, calling Kansas City Chiefs and Royals games in his living room with his dad. That childhood love for storytelling and sports became a lifelong pursuit, leading him to a career dedicated to amplifying moments, memories, and meaningful stories. In 2007, he was named Student Television Network National Broadcaster of the Year, an early milestone that helped shape his professional path.
With a career that blends broadcasting, storytelling, marketing, and community engagement, Michael is driven by one goal: to create authentic connections through sports. Whether he’s behind a microphone, hosting a podcast, building a citywide brand initiative, or spotlighting inspiring Iowans, his work is rooted in passion, purpose, and pride in the communities he serves.
