What's Happening?
Tim Hennessy will return to broadcast UND hockey games on the radio for his 47th and final season this fall. Hennessy has signed on to handle play-by-play duties for UND's home games during the 2026-27 season. Darrin Looker will cover play-by-play for road games,
while Mike LaMoine, a member of UND's 1987 NCAA national championship team, will serve as the analyst for both home and away games. This broadcast setup mirrors that of the previous season. In July, UND informed Hennessy that it would no longer employ radio announcers full-time, moving the men's hockey play-by-play role under Fighting Hawks Sports Partnerships. Hennessy, who became a full-time UND employee in 2009, will now be paid per game for his final season.
Why It's Important?
Tim Hennessy's 47th and final season as the voice of UND hockey marks the end of an era for one of college hockey's longest-tenured broadcasters. His departure signifies a significant change for the UND hockey program and its fanbase, many of whom have grown up listening to his calls. This transition also reflects broader trends in sports broadcasting, where institutions are increasingly shifting away from full-time employment for announcers towards per-game contracts or outsourcing to sports partnerships. This move can impact the stability and benefits for long-serving broadcasters, while potentially offering more flexibility for athletic departments. For fans, the consistency of a familiar voice like Hennessy's contributes significantly to the game-day experience, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt.
What's Next?
Following Tim Hennessy's final season, UND will need to determine its long-term strategy for radio broadcasting of its hockey games. This could involve a permanent transition to Darrin Looker as the primary play-by-play announcer, or a search for a new voice to lead the broadcasts. The shift to a per-game payment structure for Hennessy, and the placement of the role under Fighting Hawks Sports Partnerships, suggests a continued move towards a more flexible and potentially cost-effective model for sports media. Fans will likely be anticipating how the broadcast team evolves after Hennessy's departure and how the program maintains its connection with its loyal audience through its media presence. The university will also need to consider how to honor Hennessy's extensive contributions to UND hockey.
Beyond the Headlines
The decision to move Tim Hennessy to a per-game contract for his final season, rather than maintaining his full-time employment, highlights the evolving landscape of sports media and the financial pressures faced by collegiate athletic programs. This trend, where long-standing roles are re-evaluated for cost efficiency, can impact the institutional memory and continuity that veteran broadcasters provide. Hennessy's nearly five-decade tenure represents a deep connection to the team's history and community, a value that is difficult to quantify in purely financial terms. This situation prompts a discussion about the balance between fiscal responsibility and preserving the intangible assets, like a beloved broadcaster's voice, that contribute to a team's identity and fan engagement. It also raises questions about the future of specialized roles in sports media and the potential for a more transient workforce in broadcasting.
