Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Crotchett.
Hi Brandon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was raised in the heart of Central Florida — Polk County — where sports weren’t just a pastime, they were a way of life. Growing up, I bled the colors of all the Tampa Bay and Orlando teams. Whether I was tossing a ball around in the front yard or glued to the TV on game day, I was a sports fan through and through.
Like many kids in my hometown, I dreamed of going pro. I played football from little league all the way through college. But somewhere along that road, something shifted — or maybe it was planted like a seed. I still remember the car ride with my dad during high school when he casually suggested I consider a future in sports broadcasting. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. But that idea lingered.
After graduating from Southeastern University in 2017, I stepped into the world of sports media — starting at the ground level. I began work with local semi-pro teams like the Lakeland Flying Tigers and Florida Tropics SC, and stayed connected to my roots by announcing for my alma maters, Southeastern University and Victory Christian Academy.
In time, small opportunities led to bigger ones. I was honored to be selected as the voice of the Florida High School Athletic Association’s state championships for both basketball and weightlifting — a role I’ve now held for seven years. I’ve even had the privilege of hosting their annual Florida Dairy Farmers All-State Academic Awards Banquet, celebrating young athletes not just for their talent, but for their character and discipline.
My journey brought me closer to the teams I grew up idolizing. Since 2019, I’ve run in-house camera for the Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Each new opportunity felt like a dream realized. In 2023, I was named a finalist for the Rays’ Public Address announcer position and added the University of South Florida Bulls to my announcing roster.
But amid the milestones came heartbreak. Earlier this year, I lost my dad — the man who first believed I had a place in this industry. The last memory I have with him is telling him I’d been chosen to announce for Detroit Tigers Spring Training — right here in our hometown of Lakeland. It felt like a full-circle moment. Today, I carry on that legacy as the regular-season announcer for the Lakeland Flying Tigers.
My father always believed in me — even in the seasons when I struggled to believe in myself. I’m deeply grateful to him and to my mom for instilling in me a foundation of Christian values and unwavering faith. That faith has been my anchor through some of life’s darkest moments.
I also owe everything to my wife, Dessie. For over seven years of marriage, we’ve weathered storms and celebrated victories — not always perfectly, but always together. There’s no one else I’d rather have in my corner.
This journey hasn’t been mine alone. It’s been shaped by the love, support, and encouragement of countless family members, friends, and colleagues. Each one has played a role in getting me where I am today.
And through it all, I thank God — for the doors He’s opened, the lessons He’s taught me, and the people He’s placed in my life. My story is still being written, but I’m humbled by how far I’ve come — from the sidelines of Polk County to the bright lights of professional sports — living a life I once only dreamed about.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
People often see the job titles, the teams, the bright lights. They see the success and assume the road was straight and smooth. But what they don’t see — what I lived — was a journey marked by rejection, heartbreak, and seasons of silence where nothing made sense and everything felt uncertain.
I’m a sports broadcaster today — but that didn’t happen overnight, and it certainly didn’t happen without struggle.
After playing football from little league through college, I made the decision to walk away from the game I loved to pursue a dream in broadcasting — a dream that felt distant more often than it felt possible. When I graduated from college, I hit the ground running. I applied to every opportunity I could find — camera work, announcing gigs, anything to get my foot in the door.
And I got turned down. A lot.
I lost count of how many times I was passed over — for jobs, for tryouts, for interviews. The rejection was constant. It wasn’t just discouraging; it was exhausting. I questioned myself. I wondered if I had made a mistake — if I should’ve stuck with something safer or more predictable.
But the struggles weren’t limited to my career. My wife and I walked through some incredibly difficult years — spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially. We had to learn how to fight not against each other, but for each other. There were seasons when we didn’t have the words, the strength, or the answers. Just faith. Just prayer. Just enough hope to keep showing up.
And then came the heartbreaks that leave lasting scars. My wife lost her biological father. I lost mine. Both losses shook us deeply, leaving holes that still ache. We had to grieve while still working, still hoping, still pushing forward.
And yet, through all of that — the silence, the setbacks, the sorrow — we never gave up.
We learned to keep pressing on, even when it felt like we were crawling. We learned to find meaning in the waiting. We learned to grow in the dark.
This journey — my journey — has been anything but easy. But every closed door taught me something. Every disappointment shaped me. Every trial strengthened the very parts of me I didn’t know were weak.
No, the road hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been honest. It’s been real. And it’s been filled with lessons I wouldn’t trade for anything.
I’m still here because I kept going.
Because of a wife who’s stood by my side through the worst of it.
Because of a God who showed up when everything else fell apart.
And because I’ve learned that struggle doesn’t disqualify you — it develops you.
So if you’re in a season where nothing seems to be working, where the doors keep closing, where you feel tired, unseen, or unworthy — I want you to know this:
You’re not alone.
The struggle might just be shaping you for what’s next.
Keep walking.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In an industry that thrives on energy, timing, and connection, I’ve made it my mission to bring professionalism, creativity, and passion into every role I take on — whether I’m behind the camera, on the mic, on screen, or welcoming guests at one of the world’s most iconic theme parks.
I wear many hats:
🎥 Camera Operator
🎤 Public Address Announcer
📻 Radio Personality & Podcaster
🎬 Actor
🎢 Theme Park Attractions Operator
Each of these roles has sharpened my ability to adapt, engage, and execute under pressure — and together, they tell the story of a career built on versatility.
As a camera operator, I’m trusted to capture live in-game action, pre- and post-game festivities, corporate segments, and fan experiences — all for the in-stadium video board. It’s about more than just filming; it’s about telling the story of the game in real time, from the sidelines to the stands.
As a public address announcer, I’m the voice that brings the game to life for fans in attendance — from starting lineups and substitutions to scoring summaries and sponsor messaging. It’s my job to be clear, energetic, and professional while keeping the atmosphere electric and informed.
In the radio and podcasting space, I bring a thoughtful and engaging voice to sports commentary, discussing everything from local Florida teams to national sports stories with insight and authenticity. Whether it’s a live radio segment or a podcast episode, I aim to create connection through storytelling, analysis, and conversation.
Recently, I’ve stepped into the world of acting, serving as an extra in the independent film Ghost Trader, and joining the cast of the upcoming film The Purple Heart. These opportunities have allowed me to grow creatively and collaborate in new ways — all while supporting friends and local filmmakers.
At Universal Studios, I serve as an attractions operator for Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts, where I’m responsible for ensuring the safety and enjoyment of guests from around the world. This role has sharpened my communication, awareness, and hospitality — all within a high-paced, immersive environment.
What sets me apart is my versatility and adaptability. I take pride in stepping into new challenges with humility, confidence, and the willingness to learn. Whether I’m announcing in front of thousands, capturing a live moment behind the lens, or making someone laugh with a spot-on impression of Kermit the Frog or Optimus Prime, I lead with purpose, professionalism, and a desire to leave people better than I found them.
At the heart of it all is one goal:
To tell stories well, serve people better, and make every moment count.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
There’s a part of my story that not many people know: I have Tourette’s syndrome.
I was diagnosed at a young age, and growing up, it wasn’t easy. The tics — the involuntary movements and sounds — made me stand out in ways I didn’t always want to. Kids can be cruel, and I experienced my fair share of teasing and bullying. There were moments where I felt like my own body was working against me, drawing attention when all I wanted to do was blend in.
But over time, something shifted.
I began to realize that the same brain that produced those uncontrollable tics also gave me an incredible gift — an unusually sharp ear for sound, rhythm, and inflection. I could hear a voice, a cadence, a character — and instinctively mimic it. Not just copy it, but embody it. I started to discover a whole new world inside my voice.
While some people saw a disorder, I found a doorway.
That doorway led to versatility. Creativity. Confidence. It gave me tools that would eventually become part of my professional identity and power in my own unique ability.
Tourette’s didn’t stop me. In some ways, it shaped me. It forced me to listen differently, to observe deeply, and to learn how to turn what once brought me shame into something that now brings others joy.
Today, I don’t just speak for a living — I speak from a place of experience. I’ve learned that the very thing that makes you feel like an outsider growing up can become your signature strength if you let it. And I’m grateful that God gave me not just a voice, but a reason to use it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bcthebrand.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcthebrand_media/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/BC-The-Brand/61573836566367/#
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@brandon.crotchett
Image Credits
@brandessmedia
@jessicacaraluzzophotography
