FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 14, 2026) – Northern Arizona University has announced the merger of NAU-TV and the NAU Athletic Department, effective immediately.
The merger allows for a streamlined approach to enhancing revenue generation capabilities through enhanced digital media outputs, as well as aligning university resources by bringing all broadcast operations of home Lumberjack Athletics events under one collective team.
In this new chapter, NAU and NAU Athletics are excited to continue and enhance the production of award-winning story-telling digital media in addition to delivering the highest quality of broadcasts of NAU Athletics events to Lumberjack fans across the country.
"NAU-TV has been instrumental in making Lumberjack Athletics accessible to fans, families and alumni across the country for more than 30 years and we're excited to continue to do so under this merger," said
Uri Farkas, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. "I'd also like to extend my deepest appreciation for
Mitch Strohman, who has been a voice that Lumberjacks can resonate with. On behalf of NAU Athletics, we congratulate Mitch on a selfless and dedicated career to this university."
With this announced merger,
Mitch Strohman, who has served as NAU Athletics play-by-play announcer for 30 years, will retire at the conclusion of the current basketball season.
Strohman called his first game for the Lumberjacks in 1991 and since then, has been on air for more than 1,100 NAU games in addition to more than 100 NAU Athletics related shows.
Strohman, who has also held the role of General Manager of NAU-TV since 2016, has served as the Voice of the Lumberjack football and men's basketball in addition to calling select women's basketball, soccer and volleyball games during his tenure.
"Over the past 30-plus years, it has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve NAU as the Voice of the Lumberjacks, a former teacher in the School of Communication, the General Manager of NAU-TV, and as one of the public faces of this great university," Strohman said. "As I step into the next chapter of my life in retirement, I'll be eternally grateful for the countless thousands of students, athletes, coaches, support staff, administrators, parents, families, alumni and fans who welcomed me into their lives and allowed me the privilege of being their 'connection' to NAU and their Lumberjacks. I'll always be proud to be a Lumberjack."
