Prime Time

There’s a split second in sports when time slows—a quarterback releases an all-or-nothing throw, a final-second three-pointer arcs toward the rim, or a golfer’s putt teeters on the edge of the cup. In those moments, Andrew Catalon isn’t just calling the play; he’s bottling the emotion, history and chaos into words that will resonate with fans forever.

For CBS Sports’ versatile play-by-play announcer, whose voice has narrated everything from Rory McIlroy’s cathartic 2025 Masters triumph to Fairleigh Dickinson’s takedown of Purdue in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, the journey to those pressure-packed seconds began with a childhood dream.

GAME ON

Long before he was dissecting Cover-2 defenses or analyzing green speeds at Augusta, a six-year-old Catalon would retreat to his room and orchestrate imaginary showdowns. “He would record himself pretending to announce games between the New York Giants and the New England ‘Pastriots.’” Catalon’s wife, Jessica, shares, “It’s one of the first things his mom told me about him!”

That early obsession—part fandom, part performance— laid the groundwork for a career built on marrying preparation with spontaneity.

“Sports have always been a huge part of my life,” Catalon says. “I played baseball as a kid, but I quickly realized I wasn’t going to be the next shortstop of the Yankees. Announcing became a way to stay around the games, and I immediately developed a passion for broadcasting.”

CALLING THE SHOTS

Catalon’s resume reads like a sports fan’s fantasy: NFL Sundays, March Madness and the Masters Tournament. But the unseen work is a bit less flashy. “The preparation for all three sports is very different,” he says. “NFL is the most intense since each team has 53 players. I have to be ready for any of them to make a play—that means watching film, meeting coaches and players and knowing every storyline.”

College basketball demands similar rigor but with tighter turnarounds. “It’s a similar routine but with fewer players on each team,” Catalon explains. “And the prep for golf focuses on storytelling— golf broadcasts are slower-paced compared to football and basketball, which allows more time to build drama and share interesting anecdotes about the players.”

Shifting from March Madness’s pace to the Masters’ measured drama isn’t just a physical and mental pivot. Catalon works with a vocal coach to recalibrate between the sports. “To help transition between sports, I spend time with a vocal coach, Arthur Joseph—we work hard on all aspects of my voice, especially going from the craziness of March Madness to one week later being at the Masters.”

Every announcer lives for the ‘Where were you when…?’ moments. For Catalon, few experiences rival Tiger Woods’ 2019 Masters victory after an 11-year hiatus from winning a major. “Seeing Woods at the Masters in 2019 was truly an unforgettable event, and to see him win and hug his family was one of the few moments in my career that left me speechless.”

HOME TEAM ADVANTAGE

Catalon’s ‘workplace’ is wherever he unpacks his laptop. “My office is our home. If I’m not traveling to a game, I’m preparing for one there,” he explains. “The offseason for me is mostly in the spring and summer. My schedule slows down during those months, allowing me to recharge and reconnect with people I don’t see as much during the year.”

When Catalon is away from the commentary booth, he’s at home in Short Hills coaching his son CJ’s Little League team. A Short Hills native and Millburn High School graduate, Catalon shares, “It’s funny to see CJ experiencing many of the same things I did here as a kid. Millburn-Short Hills Little League is truly one of the best parts of this town. I played as a kid and am still friends with the majority of my old teammates, and I’m sure CJ will remain friends with his current teammates for years to come.”

Twenty-four years after graduating from Syracuse, Catalon continues to master the ever-evolving landscape of sports.

Fans no longer wait for the 11 p.m. highlights. “Today, most of us can see the scores and highlights on our phones whenever we want,” he says. “There’s no doubt technology has changed the way fans consume their favorite teams.”

And for the kid who once whispered play-calls into a recorder, it’s still about the thrill of the unknown. “Late in games, you have to nail the big moment,” Catalon says. “That’s a big focus of mine, and I feel confident in those situations.” The real victory lies in the split-second precision under pressure— a skill no algorithm can replicate when the clock hits zero.

BY EVE GOLDEN