(Mankato, MN) — October 11th, 2024 – Minnesota State University announced today that the press box area at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center will be named after former Maverick Senior Deputy Director of Communications Paul Allan. The radio booth in the press will be named in honor of the longtime play-by-play voice of Maverick hockey and football Mike Sullivan.
Allan came to Minnesota State in 1985 as the Sports Information Director and was named Assistant Director of Athletics in 2009 and Senior Deputy Director in 2022. He oversaw the media relations and external operations aspect of all 20 of Minnesota State’s teams. During his tenure, Minnesota State won four team national championships. He publicized hundreds of conference champions, NCAA postseason qualifiers (teams and individuals) as well as academic awards at the university, conference, regional and national levels. He also played a key role in Minnesota State’s transition to Division I hockey. Among his many awards are the 2007 CoSIDA Warren Berg Award, the 2008 North Central Conference Legacy Award, and the 2023 College Sports Communicators Lifetime Achievement Award. Allan was inducted into the CoSIDA Hall of Fame in 2009. He also worked in communications for two Olympic Games.
“Paul Allan was an unbelievable employee and tremendously important asset in his role with Maverick Athletics. Talented, driven, and committed, Paul was a passionate advocate for our coaches and student-athletes, said Kevin Buisman, Director of Athletics. “He was truly an ambassador not only for our department, but the entire University. Paul loved hockey and it’s hard to imagine the number of hours he spent leading the crew down at the civic center on game night, so it’s only fitting to be able to name this area in his honor.”
Sullivan was the radio play-by-play voice of Minnesota State men’s hockey for 24 seasons (2000-24) before his retirement in 2024. In total, he called 914 games, including 504 consecutive games from 2000-13 and was a staple for Radio Mankato as co-host of the Morning Blend show on AM 1420 KTOE. He also served as the station’s sports director. Sullivan called play-by-play for early season MSU football games. In his tenure, he was behind the microphone for 11 NCAA Region Tournament hockey games and three NCAA Frozen Four games, including the NCAA Championship game in 2022. He called MSU’s first ever Broadmoor Trophy win on March 22, 2014 and the Mavericks’ first MacNaughton Cup victory in March of 2015.
“Mike Sullivan’s name is synonymous with Maverick hockey. His voice brought the game to life for his faithful listeners and he was on the call for some of the program’s biggest moments,” Buisman noted. “Hockey is a difficult game to do play-by-play coverage for, but Mike was always so well-prepared that he provided an impeccable delivery that set the standard for others. We are happy to cement his legacy with this well-deserved recognition.”
“Given how much time PA and Sully spent together over their distinguished careers promoting Maverick hockey, it’s very fulfilling that this naming dedication will now offer these two a permanent space that is part of the game day experience for those following in their footsteps.”
Plaques recognizing the “Paul Allan Press Box” and “Mike Sullivan Radio Booth” will be installed in the game day media area inside of Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center and the pair will be recognized prior to Saturday evening’s game vs. Merrimack College.
