Dan McLaughlin is a professional sports broadcaster

Sportscaster

In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...

 who currently works on both St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...

 and St. Louis Blues telecasts on the cable television channel Fox Sports Midwest.

Early life

Dan McLaughlin grew up in the St. Louis

St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...

 area where his father was a school teacher. Following his graduation from St. John Vianney High School

St. John Vianney High School

St. John Vianney High School may refer to one of several high schools in the United States:*St. John Vianney High School in Kirkwood, Missouri*St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel Township, New Jersey...

 in suburban Kirkwood, Missouri

Kirkwood, Missouri

Kirkwood is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in St. Louis County, Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,540. Founded in 1853, the city is named for James Pugh Kirkwood, builder of the Pacific Railroad through that town. It was the first planned suburb located west...

 McLaughlin attended Lindenwood University

Lindenwood University

Lindenwood University, often referred to as Lindenwood or LU, is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Saint Charles, Missouri, United States...

. Setting his sights on sports broadcasting from an early age, McLaughlin performed a variety of broadcasting duties at university-owned KCLC

KCLC

KCLC is a radio station broadcasting a Album Adult Alternative format. Licensed to St. Charles, Missouri, USA, the station serves the St, Louis area...

 while a student while at Lindenwood.

Broadcast career

While in college McLaughlin also served an internship at KMOX radio in St. Louis, and became a sports talk show host with the station in 1996. McLaughlin soon found himself as a frequent contributor to St. Louis Blues telecasts on KPLR-TV

KPLR-TV

KPLR-TV, channel 11, is a television station in St. Louis, Missouri. KPLR is owned by the Tribune Company, and is an affiliate of The CW Television Network. The station's studios are located in Maryland Heights, Missouri, in Northwest St. Louis County KPLR-TV, channel 11, is a television station...

 and FSN Midwest. In 2000 he became the play-by-play broadcaster for FSN's Cardinal games. Additionally McLaughlin does play-by-play Mizzou Tiger

University of Missouri

The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...

 and Missouri Valley Conference

Missouri Valley Conference

The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...

 basketball games, and occasional regional college football games for ESPN

ESPN

Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....

.

Legal troubles, suspension

On August 16, 2010 Dan McLaughlin was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated. Under a plea agreement McLaughlin was allowed to keep his drivers license and placed on two years probation. On September 30, 2011, McLaughlin was involved in a one-vehicle crash near his Chesterfield, Missouri

Chesterfield, Missouri

Chesterfield is a second-ring western suburb of St. Louis and is the largest city in west St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2010 census the population is 47,484. Chesterfield also celebrated its 20th birthday in 2008.- Geography :...

home. Police investigated and arrested McLaughlin on charges of drunk driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Following the second arrest FSM placed him on indefnite suspension, removing him from all remaining regular-season Cardinals broadcasts, and post-game specials during the teams playoffs and World Series run.

Personal life

Dan McLaughlin and wife Libby are the parents of four children: oldest son Luke, born in 2005, oldest daughter Avery, born in 2007, and twins Oliva and Barrett born in 2009. The McLaughlins are involved in several St. Louis area charities including hosting the annual "Dan McLaughlin Golf Tournament" to benefit the Special Education.