Bob McElligott

Bob McElligott, a native of Somerset, Pennsylvania, built his career in sports broadcasting starting with foundational roles in minor league sports. He began his professional sports career as the mascot for the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL, later becoming the radio voice for the team. His early experience also included calling Single-A baseball for teams in Kinston (NC), Wilmington (DE), Prince William (VA), and Salem (VA) in the Carolina League. These initial positions provided a comprehensive introduction to sports media, establishing his presence in the industry.

McElligott spent ten seasons as the broadcaster for the Syracuse Crunch, then the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Blue Jackets, where he covered both radio and television broadcasts. During this period, he also produced features for the Blue Jackets Radio Network and occasionally filled in for play-by-play duties for the main NHL team. Beyond hockey, he expanded his portfolio as the radio and television voice for the Syracuse Chiefs of the International Baseball League. His versatility was further demonstrated by calling football, basketball, hockey, and lacrosse games at both collegiate and high school levels for Spectrum and ESPN3.com. He also hosted talk shows and provided sports updates at WSYR in Syracuse, showcasing his broad range of skills in live broadcasting and sports commentary.

In August 2009, McElligott officially joined the Columbus Blue Jackets broadcast team as a radio broadcaster, initially serving as a color commentator. By the 2013-14 season, he assumed the primary play-by-play duties for all 82 regular season games and playoff matchups. In addition to his game-day responsibilities, McElligott hosts the #CBJ Monday Mailbag podcast and co-hosts “The Inside Edge” on 97.1 The Fan with TV color analyst Jody Shelley. He further contributes to the team’s media content by hosting features on Jackets TV available on bluejackets.com and the CBJ mobile app. Outside his professional commitments, he consults students in video production at Bishop Hartley High School, assisting with internet broadcasts of their football and baseball games, demonstrating his commitment to mentorship and community engagement.