Vamos Lakers: Broadcasters share Spanish-language play-by-play with GVSU fans

Ninety minutes before Grand Valley faces Ferris State, its biggest rival and the No. 1 team in the nation, Elio Benitez is having the time of his life on the Lubbers Stadium field.

Benitez, wearing a GVSU cap, and his radio partner Miguel Esparza, decked out in a GVSU vest, smile and joke for a collection of portraits. The tension and anxiety from the Lakers’ biggest game of the year hasn’t permeated their jovial mood.

Benitez suggests a few more playful poses to linger on the field before heading up to their radio booth for their final pre-game preparations.

“Sorry, I’m like a 5-year-old,” Benitez said. Esparza nods his head. 

Esparza and Benitez, both native Chicagoans, said they quickly felt part of the Laker family since it was announced this fall that they would be the first broadcasting team to call the Lakers’ home games in Spanish. The pair commute to Allendale from their Chicago residences for every game at Lubbers Stadium. 

“I was able to bring my family to the home opener, and they talked about it for days. We talked all about it on the drive back,” Benitez said. “The atmosphere was amazing. I couldn’t stop talking about the fans, and it truly is a family atmosphere. How can you not feed off that?”

According to GVSU’s Athletics Department, the pair is believed to be the only Spanish-language broadcasters in the nation to call games for a Division II football team. It was a concerted effort by the Athletics Department and Deputy Director of Athletics Doug Lipinski to broaden the Lakers’ appeal with a growing Hispanic/Latino population on campus and in West Michigan.

The 2020 U.S. Census reported more than 75,000 Kent County residents were of Hispanic descent, a jump of 29 percent over a 10-year span .

This year’s fall census confirmed that the 2023-2024 academic year marks the largest population of Hispanic/Latino students ever on campus. Hispanic/Latino students account for 7.6% of Grand Valley’s 22,269 students this year.

Grand Valley’s commitment to Hispanic/Latino student success has also drawn national attention. Excelencia in Education, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., has recognized Grand Valley with its Seal of Excelencia since the award’s inaugural year in 2019. 

“The concept of creating a Spanish-language radio broadcast started in 2017 as part of an athletics marketing plan rooted in fan development and brand management,” Lipinski said. “We are always looking for ways to grow Laker nation while reaching higher.”

Lipinski said the honor from Excelencia in Education affirmed the department’s decision to extend its reach to the Hispanic/Latino community in West Michigan. Lipinski sent the word out among his contacts that Grand Valley was searching for Spanish broadcasters. It wasn’t long until Esparza’s name popped up.

Through his connections on Twitter, Esparza said he heard from Spanish broadcasters with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and MLB’s Houston Astros, gauging his interest.

“Both of them sent me a message saying, ‘Miguel, we have a friend who's looking for somebody to broadcast the games if you're interested,” Esparza said.

Esparza had Benitez in mind when it came to rounding out the team.

“I wouldn't be part of this if it wasn't for Miguel,” Benitez said. “It was something that I looked forward to from the moment that he extended the opportunity.”

Benitez and Esparza already have extensive experience broadcasting games in Spanish for the Chicagoland market. The duo calls nearly every major professional sports team in Chicago — Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs and Chicago Fire FC.

But announcing college football games and being part of that atmosphere was a new avenue for both of them, and their first home game on the job was certainly a memorable one. The Lakers beat Colorado State-Pueblo, 57-49, in double overtime.  

“ From the moment we arrived there for the first game, it was exciting to see the families, the players doing their walk to the stadium and just those little things that you really don't get at a professional scenario,” Esparza said. “Seeing the excitement on the players’ faces and hearing the band was amazing in itself.”

And it’s not just about spreading Grand Valley’s brand and recognition around Michigan, Benitez said. When he first began wearing his GVSU apparel around his neighbors in Chicago, he said he received more than a few quizzical looks and curious questions. 

“Now my neighbors see me across the street and yell, ‘Go Lakers!’” he said. 

Fans can listen to Esparza and Benitez’s broadcast of Lakers’ home games, including Saturday’s Homecoming game against Michigan Tech, on La Poderosa 93.3 FM and 810 AM in Grand Rapids and 103.1 FM and 1080 AM in the Midland and Lansing areas.