David Patten looking forward to second year at the mic for Weber State
WSU's David Patten throws down a slam dunk during a game against Southern Utah. Patten now works for Weber State and calls games with Steve Klauke over the radio.
David Patten makes a layup during a Weber State game. Patten now works for Weber State and is the color analyst with Steve Klauke.
WSU's David Patten spots up for a jumper in a game against Southern Utah. Patten now works for Weber State and is the color analyst with Steve Klauke on Wildcat radio broadcasts
”Catching up with the ‘Cats” tracks Weber State basketball alumni to find out where they are and what they’re doing now. This edition features David Patten, who played professionally overseas and provides color commentary on the radio for Weber State basketball games.
OGDEN — Since leading Weber State to the NCAA Tournament in his senior year in 2007, David Patten has played professionally in different parts of the world.
Now, the former Big Sky MVP can still be seen around campus, as he currently works in human resources in the facilities management department at Weber State and just wrapped up his first season as a color analyst alongside Steve Klauke, calling Wildcat basketball games on the radio.
“I loved every minute of it,” Patten said. “Getting to be around the team a little bit brought back good memories. They were incredible last year and getting to call that action was really interesting and fun. Steve Klauke is the best. He’s an incredible professional and was always prepared and very knowledgeable about the game. He was flawless.”
Patten was hired with Klauke to replace the longtime radio team of Carl Arky and Dutch Belnap. Patten expressed interest and was one of the first people contacted about providing color commentary.
With plans to return to the airwaves this upcoming season, Patten hopes to get more Wildcat fans involved with future broadcasts.
“I’m really looking forward to it and expanding and making it something that people can interact with a little bit more,” Patten said. “I have a few ideas about bringing on some former players and having that be an opportunity for people to get to know the program a little bit better. It should be an exciting time to listen to Weber State basketball on the radio.”
Weber State
David Patten (left) and Steve Klauke (right) converse before a Weber State basketball game during the 2015-16 season.
While Patten helped ring in the Randy Rahe era with the program’s first NCAA Tournament in four years, he isn’t always recognized by his coworkers as a former player.
But he’s just fine with that.
“The nice thing about working in facilities is that there’s a lot of people who have no idea that I played basketball here,” he said. “I don’t get too much attention for basketball here, which is nice.”
Patten’s career playing professionally overseas was filled with challenging times, as teams don’t tend to treat their athletes as well as they do in the United States.
While playing in China, Patten flew first-class into the country. A couple of months later, he injured his back and was unable to play for one to two months. Even though he was under contract, Patten was cut from the team and sent home — flying coach.
“When they want you and when they don’t want you they treat you a lot differently. If you’re here playing basketball you get treated really well. The complaints I hear from guys that play in the states are just funny to me. A lot of the guys that played at Weber State that went and played overseas had money issues or had certain requirements to serve in the army. It can get a little wild.”
Now that he’s retired, Patten has purchased a home in Ogden and is excited to call more games for Weber State.
“I love it here. I can see myself being here for a while,” he said. “The Weber State fans are the best fans. I really enjoy being able to hopefully provide them some good analysis of basketball games if they listen on the radio, which I hope they will. It’s a fun experience.”
Contact sports reporter Brandon Garside at bgarside@standard.net, on Twitter @BrandonGarside and on Facebook.com/BrandonGarsideSE.