CPP’s voice behind Bronco Athletics
By Sabriel Zapata, November 3, 2026
Long before Craig Dunkin became a play-by-play commentator for Cal Poly Pomona Athletics in 2024, he was an 8-year-old arranging baseball cards in his bedroom, imagining games and calling the action himself.
Decades later, Dunkin continues pursuing that childhood passion, bringing his voice to CPP athletic events while maintaining a career as an attorney.
Dunkin attended Cal State Fullerton before transferring to UCLA and later attending Loyola Law School. He also attended CPP briefly. Although his professional path led him into law, broadcasting remained part of his life.
Dunkin spent two years calling games in Clarksville, Tennessee, traveling with the Clarksville Coyotes, before spending another year broadcasting in Yakima, Washington.
He later spent about 25 years broadcasting sporting events for Occidental College, where he continued gaining experience behind the microphone. His involvement slowed following the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving him searching for another opportunity to call games.
That search eventually brought him back to a familiar place.
Having grown up in Upland, Dunkin reached out to the university’s athletics department in January 2024, expressing interest in broadcasting baseball games.
Alex Kline, assistant athletics director of communications for CPP Athletics, received Dunkin’s email and recognized his experience. With an opening available, Dunkin joined the department in spring 2024, initially calling baseball before expanding to soccer and volleyball in the fall.
Since joining CPP, Dunkin has become a familiar voice to broadcast watchers during athletic events, bringing both his broadcasting experience and personality to the department, according to Kline.
“He never shows up with a bad attitude,” Kline said. “He never has an off day. He is extremely consistent and just fun to be around.”
That consistency extends to the work Dunkin puts into each broadcast. Rather than relying only on what unfolds during a game, he researches teams and players beforehand, preparing notes that allow him to share information viewers might not otherwise know. Dunkin often arrives with his research completed and rarely needs assistance gathering information, according to Kline.
CPP Athletics has been helpful and provides a team of people that help Dunkin with the entire broadcast set up and take down process, according to Dunkin.
“He’s not just coming out to the game to call exactly what he sees on the field,” Kline said. “He’s looking up the stories and researching behind the scenes to help add to the narrative.”
That commitment to storytelling became especially meaningful during Dunkin’s first fall season at CPP, when he called nearly every game for the women’s soccer team as the Broncos went on to win the NCAA Division II national championship.
Among the moments he remembers most was Angelina Rivas’ overtime game-winning goal in overtime against Point Loma during the 2024 NCAA Division II tournament, which sent the Broncos to the Elite Eight. Dunkin recalled jumping from his seat after Rivas scored. A photographer captured his reaction, while Kline saved a recording of the call.
“It was a perfect call for me and it was awesome,” Dunkin said.
Although moments like that stand out in his broadcasting career, Dunkin also finds meaning in recognizing the athletes whose accomplishments might otherwise receive less attention.
He believes Division II athletes work just as hard as Division I athletes, even without the same level of recognition. Knowing families may be watching from home, Dunkin makes an effort to acknowledge individual players and their accomplishments throughout each broadcast.
“I know that almost every player has a parent, grandparents, relative, listening, and I want to make sure that they get some props,” Dunkin said.
His willingness to support others extends beyond the athletes on the field. Kline said Dunkin also helps student employees who operate cameras, assist with production, and occasionally join broadcasts. He takes time to teach them and makes sure to recognize their contributions.
CPP Athletics also recognized Dunkin in 2025 with the Terri Brown Bronco Spirit Award for his contributions to the department and university community.
“We absolutely love him, and he does a really fantastic job at helping tell the story of our athletes,” Kline said.
As Dunkin looks toward the future, he hopes to continue calling games for CPP Athletics for as long as he can.
Despite the years he has spent broadcasting minor league and collegiate sports, Dunkin still owns the baseball cards he used to create imaginary games in his childhood bedroom. Dunkin today has his baseball cards close to his heart, but he doesn’t have to imagine calling games anymore.
Feature image courtesy of CPP Athletics
