Northern Arizona University announced the appointment of James Malamas as its new play‑by‑play announcer for football and men’s basketball, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of longtime voice Mitch Strohman after three decades of service.
A New Era for Lumberjack Sports Broadcasting
Malamas, who has been the primary play‑by‑play presence for NAU women’s basketball, soccer and volleyball since 2021, will now lead the broadcast team for the Lumberjacks’ two flagship sports, joining veteran color commentator Kevin Stephens on the air.
His debut is slated for August 29, when NAU opens its football season against Eastern Washington at Findlay Toyota Field inside the Walkup Skydome, a venue that will also host his first basketball broadcast later in the month.
The new role places Malamas on the NAU Lumberjack Radio Network and on ESPN+, where his voice will accompany live streams of every football and men’s basketball contest throughout the 2026‑27 campaign.
Beyond the microphone, Malamas will serve as emcee and host for select athletics shows and events, expanding his involvement in the campus sports community.
His broadcasting résumé includes coverage of the 2023 Big Sky Soccer Championship and the 2025 Big Sky Indoor Track & Field Championships, as well as extensive travel with the women’s basketball team to the Big Sky Conference Tournament, the WNIT and the WBIT.
Prior to his full‑time position at NAU, Malamas honed his craft at Cronkite News, where he reported on collegiate athletics, and earlier worked as a beat reporter for the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, bringing professional‑level experience to his collegiate assignments.
A graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in sports journalism, Malamas also contributed to digital production, video editing and camera operation for in‑house broadcasts, skills that now enrich NAU’s multimedia output.