Niagara College alumna Amy Audibert has been known to shoot a few hoops in her days as a competitive basketball player. Nowadays, she shoots for the stars in her career as a sports broadcaster and she just scored a professional slam dunk.

Audibert has joined the broadcast team for the NBA’s Toronto Raptors as announced by Sportsnet on September 23. As Courtside Analyst and Reporter, she will deliver the latest insights, news and interviews for a team she has been rooting for since she was a young girl.

“I always wanted to work in the NBA, that’s always been a huge goal for me, and to be able to do this at home [in Canada] it cuts you a little deeper,” said Audibert.

The Niagara Falls native, who graduated from NC’s Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film program in 2012, is excited to draw on her dynamic skillset and her love of the game in her latest assignment, which she explains as a hybrid position.

“I get to do all of the things that I love to do,” said Audibert. “I get to jump in with game analysis from the court and share player stories, something I’ve grown a passion for,” said Audibert.

Audibert’s success story is a point of pride for the Niagara College community, particularly for BRTF Program Co-ordinator Peter “Dutch” VandenBerg, who is one of Audibert’s earliest mentors.

“For the better part of ten years since we first had Amy in our program, we’ve proudly watched her chase her dreams, work incredibly hard, make huge sacrifices but NEVER give up,” said VandenBerg. “She is incredibly deserving of this opportunity.”

Audibert returned home to study at NC after nearly a decade as a student and basketball player at the University of Miami. During her time in the BRTF program, she recalls participating in every opportunity she could to develop her skills with dreams of a future in the broadcasting industry.

“I picked up every single mobile that I could, presented in front of the camera, got out there and just did it,” said Audibert, who was accepted into the second year of the BRTF program as an advanced learner. “NC was a crash course and I used the opportunity to learn and apply.”

Since graduating from the College, she has graced multiple sports networks with her vibrant on-air persona and made history in March 2021, when she was part of an all-female broadcast crew for a televised Toronto Raptors game against the Denver Nuggets. College alumnae Kianna Klauck and Kristyn Taras, who graduated from NC’s BRTF program in 2017, were also involved in the historic broadcast on the production side.

While she has worked hard to get to where she is today, with her latest gigs as Television Colour Analyst with Raptors 905 in the NBA’s G-league and Courtside Reporter with the Canadian Elite Basketball League this past summer, Audibert credits her support system for guiding her along her path to success.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, but I’ve also been fortunate to have amazing mentors who keep pushing me along, including Peter VandenBerg who has been one of the many people in my corner,” said Audibert.

“When we spoke about her news, Amy said, ‘It was a win for all of us,’” said VandenBerg. “That is a true reflection of her character – it’s never about her, it’s always about the team of supporters and those who helped her along the way. We can’t teach that. She’s proud, we’re proud, so yes, it’s a win for us all.”

Now, nearly 10 years working in an industry that is unpredictable at the best of times, Audibert tries to keep a positive outlook.

“Even on days that you don’t get the job you have to remind yourself to hold the vision, but trust the process,” she said. “For me, this has unfolded in the last few days getting the biggest job of my career.”

The Toronto Raptors begin their 2021-2022 season on October 22. Viewers can watch the games on Sportsnet, Sportsnet ONE and via live stream SN NOW to follow Audibert in her latest broadcasting role. 

Niagara College’s Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film is a three-year, advanced diploma program within the College’s School of Media based at the Welland Campus. Students select a program concentration during the first year of the program in Radio and TV Presentation, Television Production, or Film Production.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine science, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. Visit niagaracollege.ca.