Mike Tirico announced as Syracuse University’s 2026 commencement speaker
1988 SU graduate and NBC sports broadcaster Mike Tirico will speak at the 2026 commencement ceremony. Eli Schwartz | Staff Photographer
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Syracuse University announced Mike Tirico, sports broadcaster at NBC and alum, as its 2026 commencement speaker on Thursday.
Tirico serves as the voice behind many primetime American sports broadcasts, including play-by-play for “Sunday Night Football. Graduating from SU in 1988, Tirico received a dual degree in political science and broadcast journalism and began his career at WAER.
Tirico was elected to SU’s Board of Trustees in 2016 and has served as vice chair since 2025. Tirico assisted with the university’s search for a new chancellor, athletics director and dean of Newhouse School of Public Communications.
“There is no place that has meant more to me than Syracuse University,” Tirico said in a Thursday release. “I can’t wait to share this special day with the next group that joins our Forever Orange family.”
He has covered five different Olympic Games. This year, he became the first U.S. broadcaster to call both the Super Bowl and host the Winter Olympics in the same year.
Throughout his career, Tirico received five Sports Emmy Awards and Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, the release states. He was also inducted into the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame in summer 2025.
Chancellor Kent Syverud called Tirico the “definition of an Orange success story” in a Thursday release.
“He began his career right here on campus, and has gone on to become one of the most respected voices in sports broadcasting,” Syverud said. “His deep and lasting commitment to Syracuse University reflects the same values of excellence we hope to inspire in every graduate.”
Tirico’s address will take place at 9:30 a.m. on May 10 in the JMA Wireless Dome.
