Published On: Mon, Mar 20th, 2017

FAU Grad Takes His Years of Being School’s Sports Announcer to the Next Level

By: Nikki Colonna

Aaron Shapiro grew up in Boca Raton and spread out his talents and education as he studied at Broward College, Palm Beach State College and eventually finished up his studies at FAU as a grad student and a teaching assistant.

Shapiro never knew exactly what he wanted to do when he grew up; his career possibilities ranged from an athlete to a standup comedian. Unconsciously, “I knew that I belonged in front of people,” said Shapiro.

As he got involved with FAU’s athletic program, his talent using his voice to announce flourished. He began covering events that ranged from sporting events to banquets and pep rallies.

After spending three years in the world of Sociolinguistics, which he majored in at FAU, and announcing, Shapiro began to gain much-needed experience with his voice, which helped him boost his confidence in the art of announcing.

By being able to announce at various FAU sporting events, Shapiro developed his communication skills, annunciations and public speaking techniques, which were a huge influence on his path to becoming the voice of the Florida Panthers.

Being at FAU Shapiro “felt prepared to run small or big events,” such as the University of Miami vs. FAU football game on September of 2015.

“Games like that helped me get ready for the bigger crowds that I would face down the road,” added Shapiro.

He has always been a firm believer that the crowd itself is a light to his fire. He feeds off the energy that the people bring; when they cheer and get excited, he is able to as well.

Being faced with such a leading role using his voice, naturally, nerves are a factor. Shapiro takes those nerves to positively affect his performance.

“Everyone gets nervous, even individuals from the top of their craft,” said Aaron. “It is important to remember that it is about [the fans], not me. They fuel me. I am able to relax and announce perform from their presence.”

In his spare time apart from announcing, he strives to teach and inspire others as a full-time Speech and Communication professor at FAU. He intends to continue to teach about activism, public speaking, and motivational speaking.

As a professional public Speaker, he travels to local high schools, such as Booker T. Washington High School and Miami Senior High School, to talk about communication competence and skills and academic success.

He also has been involved as an Emcee for events throughout South Florida including Red Bull Wings for Life and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. He also was able to Emcee celebrity basketball games featuring countless NBA stars including local Brando Knight of the Phoenix Suns.

Shapiro is more than happy with his opportunity to work with the Florida Panthers and plans to stay and learn as much as he can as well as to hype up the Panthers fans to the best of his ability.

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