Swinging for the Fences: The Journeys of Jason Benetti and Chuck Garfien

Jason Benetti (left) and Chuck Garfien (right) speak at Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel on Oct. 29. || Photo by Sarah Matzkin

Elmhurst University welcomed two prominent voices in sports broadcasting and media on Oct. 29 in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel. Jason Benetti and Chuck Garfien both have more than 10 years of experience covering professional sports, and both broadcasters brought their unique perspectives on the industry, sharing their experiences and offering insight on what it takes to succeed in the world of sports media and journalism.

Garfien, known for his pre- and postgame coverage of the White Sox for Chicago Sports Network along with his award-winning White Sox podcast, and Benetti, recognized for his work across numerous sports and national platforms such as the NFL and currently the Detroit Tigers, have built successful careers through their knowledge, preparation, and passion for sports.

“Say you just watched a tough loss, or even a blowout loss and I have to do a show,” Garfien said. “I have to find a way to make you watch the show. It’s not just show up and wing it, and fortunately I have Ozzie Guillén who’s a very colorful personality.”

Their visit provided an opportunity to hear directly from two established figures in the industry while giving EU students a closer look at the challenges, opportunities, and experiences that come with working in sports media.

“It’s kind of like a test of everything you know about the world right now, and then the next moment, and then today, and then tomorrow,” Benetti said. “It’s like, do I really have the stuff that really speaks to the center of the players?”

Benetti started his national broadcasting career in 2016, when he became the play-by-play announcer for the Chicago White Sox, where he stayed until 2024 when the Detroit Tigers signed him to a multiyear contract to be their play-by-play announcer.

Over the last 10 years, Benetti has become one of the most recognized voices in sports, announcing events such as the Olympics, along with college football and basketball, the NBA, and the NFL.

Benetti is also recognized as the first person to announce for MLB and other national platforms while having cerebral palsy. He is an ambassador for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation to promote kindness and inclusion for people with disabilities.

“I got asked sometimes, ‘How much radio have you done,’ since people didn’t want to put me on air because I looked different,” said Benetti. “Because I walked funny.”

In high school, his disability prevented him from playing the tuba in his marching band. Because of this, his band director suggested that he announce the band’s routines, which is what sparked his passion for announcing.

Garfien’s job is a bit more hands-on. In addition to co-hosting the White Sox pre- and postgame shows with Ozzie Guillén, he regularly interviews players during games and provides reliable team coverage on social media throughout the season.

“For what I do, you need to develop a good relationship with the players and just really know what you’re talking about,” Garfien said. “I always prepare for my interviews. If a player is gonna talk to me, I want to always give them my best.”

A projector displays “Swinging for the Fences,” with guest speaker Jason Benetti and moderator Chuck Garfien. || Photo by Sarah Matzkin

Both broadcasters have taken different paths to establish themselves in the sports media industry, but their experiences highlight the importance of preparation, relationships, and experience. Each had their own insight for anyone who wants to get into sports journalism and media.

“If you want to get into broadcasting, it takes a lot of hard work and ambition,” Garfien said. “You really just need to find out who you are and be your authentic self.”

Whether it’s calling a game in front of millions of viewers or sitting down with a player for an interview, their careers emphasize that successful sports journalism goes beyond knowing the game.

“If you’re true to yourself, and you do everything exactly how you want to do it, there’s probably gonna be about 20% of people that hate it,” Benetti said. “So why pretend to be something you aren’t if people are gonna dislike it anyway?