Schrader and Dayak to Call EarthQuakes Games

The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the team has partnered with Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and Comcast SportsNet West to televise 15 live games on local television during the 2008 Major League Soccer season. Quakes games will air both on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and Comcast SportsNet West with John Shrader and Troy Dayak calling the action from the booth.

“We are proud to partner with Comcast SportsNet to air 15 games locally in 2008,” said Earthquakes Executive Vice President David Alioto. “Combined with our national television broadcasts, we will have every Quakes game televised in 2008. We are also happy to welcome John Shrader back to the broadcast booth alongside Quakes legend Troy Dayak.”

The broadcasts kick off on Saturday, May 3 when the Earthquakes host FC Dallas in the Buck Shaw Stadium opener. The game begins at 7 p.m. PT and will air on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. Overall, 11 home games and four road contests will be televised between the two stations. The first road telecast will be Wednesday, June 18 at Real Salt Lake on Comcast SportsNet West.

Shrader has been the voice of the Earthquakes (Clash) either on radio or television since 1996 and has worked in Bay Area broadcasting for over 25 years. He currently serves as the sideline reporter for the San Jose Sharks broadcasts on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, while also teaching journalism and media at San Jose State University and San Jose City College. Prior to his current duties, he spent 14 years at all-sports station KNBR 680 AM, where he hosted talk shows and covered the San Francisco 49ers. He has broadcast numerous events around the country, and spent time at two San Jose TV stations, KNTV and KICU. For nearly a decade Shrader was the voice of San Jose State athletics. Shrader broadcast the 2002 & 2003 MLS All-Star Games and the 2002 and 2003 MLS Cup Finals on the radio.

Dayak had one of the most decorated careers in Earthquakes history. The former defender played for eight seasons (1996-98, 2001-05) for the Quakes and helped the club win two MLS Cup Championships. He played in 129 games for San Jose during his career and scored nine goals and notched seven assists, playing mainly as a central defender and right back. His overtime goal in the 2001 MLS Cup Playoffs against the Miami Fusion sent the Quakes to their MLS Cup Final in team history. He also overcame career-threatening knee and back injuries in his career and was named the 2001 MLS Comeback Player of the Year. He has worked as a broadcaster on Earthquakes radio broadcasts and HDNet national telecasts.