‘Never Say Never’ Says Red Sox Announcer Neverett

Sportscaster Tim Neverett ’88 returned to Emerson College Monday to tell his story and encourage students to keep plugging away at their dreams. 

To students, many of them interested in Emerson’s new BS in Sports Communication, Neverett started his tale from the time he was at Emerson. As a student, he enjoyed his time at Emerson, especially his semester at Kasteel Well.

“It changed the way I looked at a lot of things,” Neverett said. “If you haven’t been, if you are thinking of going, go!” said Neverett.

Neverett said he did not turn down any opportunity that would bring him closer to his dream job. His first job calling baseball games he initially thought was going to be an internship, but it turned into a job after one of the colleagues had a commitment on the day of the game and Neverett replaced him.

“I ended up doing 40 to 45 games that summer,” said Neverett. “I got paid $25 a game.”

After that Neverett knew he was on his way to becoming a professional sportscaster and grabbed every opportunity that came his way. He moved from Boston to Pittsburgh and Los Angeles for his job. The one thing he said he wanted students to take away from his experience is to pack their bags and go wherever the job is.

“Regardless of the assignment, you have to be available. Don’t say no,” he said.

Contrary to his own advice, he did at first say no to his current job as the play-by-play announcer for Red Sox Radio Network, but then a call from a friend changed his mind. Neverett, then an announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates, quickly emailed out a small intro of himself with a sound clip to the recruiter and within days, he had the offer.

But Neverett didn’t give in easily. He took his time to respond and meanwhile, he was called to meet the entire team.

At the event, “They asked me why I haven’t jumped at the job yet? And I said ‘Because I love my job,’” Neverett says.

Another piece of advice Neverett gave to the students is to never take no for an answer. If an opportunity doesn’t pan out right away, he told students, ask the person doing the hiring to get back to you if something comes up.

As a proud alum of Emerson College, he said it feels great to visit the college once again.

“I remember the first day I was dropped off and thinking to myself, ‘Oh boy! This is going to be weird.’ But the entire experience I had got me where I am and the drive I needed and the support I needed to go out and do whatever I wanted to do,” said Neverett.