NEWS
Dan Silver
Posted: Thursday, June 24, 2010 11:46 AM
DAN SILVER
New York Racing Association
Dan Silver traded hockey for horses a few years ago and now that the New York Racing Association has successfully fended off a possible freeze-out, it does not appear the native Pennsylvanian will return to the ice anytime soon.
Silver, NYRA’s director of communications and media relations since 2008, came to New York after earning a pair of master’s degrees in broadcast journalism and animal science and after a stint as a play-by-play announcer and director of broadcasting and media relations with the Missouri River Otters from the United Hockey League.
Still active twice a week in adult ice hockey leagues on Long Island and not far from Belmont Park and Aqueduct, Silver brings a winning attitude and positive outlook to NYRA. He points to some recent successes related to the Triple Crown and the Belmont Stakes (G1) as his biggest professional achievement.
“I’m really proud of the way that our website www.belmontstakes.com turned out,” Silver said. “From selecting a vendor, to the design of the site, to the 2009 spring launch, and then having it nominated as a finalist for best website at the 2009 American Gaming Association’s Communications Awards; it’s a project I’m really proud to have been involved with.”
Silver said his interest in racing was piqued after watching his first televised horse race at age 11, the 1991 Kentucky Derby (G1) won by Strike the Gold.
“The grace and athleticism of the horses, the splendor of the jockey silks, the distinct structure and thrill of a race, it all drew me in,” Silver said. “I made the decision to try and get involved in the industry in 2006 and went to the Race Track Industry Program at the University of Arizona.”
Date of birth: October 3, 1979
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Residence: Franklin Square, New York
Title: Director of communications and media relations
Company: New York Racing Association
Education: Bachelor of Arts in English, Haverford College; Master of Science in broadcast journalism, Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism; Master of Science in animal sciences, University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program
Family: Single
Career: Director of broadcasting and media relations with the United Hockey League’s Missouri River Otters from 2003 to ’06; also employed by Philadelphia Park, the Jockey Club, and Reynolds Bell Thoroughbred Services
What book are you currently reading? Beat the Reaper, by Josh Bazell
What’s on your iPod? BT, Rammstein, God Lives Underwater, Hot Chip, Royksopp, All-American Rejects
Outside interests: Ice hockey, reading, video games, clamming
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