Donald J. Brower is the founder and voice behind Garden State HS Wrestling and the Garden State Athletic Network, where he provides comprehensive coverage, live commentary, and digital media production for New Jersey scholastic athletics. A fixture in regional combat sports, he also serves as a key promoter and broadcaster for the United Pro Wrestling Association (UPWA). Brower’s career in sports media began following his service in the United States Navy from 1995 to 2002. A 1995 graduate of Warren Hills High School, he went on to earn an Associate’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from County College of Morris in 2003 and a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from William Paterson University in 2005. Prior to launching his own media outlets, he covered New Jersey high school sports as a reporter for The Star-Ledger from 2007 to 2012. Today, he combines his deep journalism background and passion for sports to amplify local student-athletes and regional combat sports across the Garden State.

Jared Klimas serves as the Director of Broadcast Operations and Administration for the Garden State Athletic Network (GSAN), leading the network’s technical infrastructure, live production workflows, and organizational administration. In his role, he directly oversees GSAN’s broadcasters and production staff while continuously monitoring live productions to ensure high quality across the board.

Jared’s foundation in sports media began at North Hunterdon High School, where he spearheaded the launch of live-streamed broadcasts for the school’s football, wrestling, and softball programs. He went on to earn a degree in Computer Science from Susquehanna University, where he worked as the Technical and Broadcasting Operations Coordinator for the Susquehanna Athletic Communications Office. During his tenure, Jared played a pivotal role in modernizing Susquehanna’s athletics coverage—implementing advanced vMix workflows and helping produce broadcasts for FloSports, ESPN, and the Landmark Digital Network (Hudl TV).

At the GSAN, Jared combines his background in computer science and high-level sports broadcasting to manage personnel, direct engineering workflows, and deliver professional, reliable live coverage to audiences across New Jersey.

Zack Comar Joined The Garden State Athletic Network in 2024. He currently serves as the Social Media & Content Manager for the GSAN and as a Broadcast Producer. A graduate of Montclair State University, Zack has been working on live sports broadcasts and other events since 2022 when he joined Brookdale TV, serving as a director on their Basketball, Softball, and Baseball broadcasts. In his current role, Zack manages all the content that is uploaded to our Social Media Platforms. As well as serving as a Producer for live events

Alex Hare joined the Garden State Athletic Network (GSAN) in 2024, bringing a dynamic background in live sports production, radio broadcasting, and athletic communications.

A graduate of Susquehanna University, Alex honed his craft across multiple facets of sports media during his collegiate career. He spent 3.5 years at 88.9 WQSU, serving as the station’s Sports Director for two years. His time on campus also included hands-on work in broadcast operations for Susquehanna University Athletic Communications, as well as high-profile industry experience interning for The Preston & Steve Show.

Among his top career highlights, Alex earned a prestigious Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) Award for producing and co-hosting a live sports talk show. He also produced the coverage for a high-stakes Delbarton Wrestling match when the program was ranked No. 1 in the nation.

Having played sports for 14 years—competing across baseball, football, basketball, soccer, and track and field—Alex brings a deep, athlete’s perspective to every broadcast and story he covers.

Jordan Yanka is a Montclair State University graduate, husband, father, and broadcast producer with the Garden State Athletic Sports Network. He is focused on building a meaningful career while providing for his family. Overcoming various life challenges has driven his work ethic and determination to achieve more for his family and personal growth.

An avid sports fan with a particular passion for basketball, Jordan is a dedicated supporter of the New York Knicks and plays whenever he gets the chance. Outside of sports, he enjoys video games and finds working out in the gym to be a key outlet.

What draws Jordan to the sports industry is the opportunity to highlight an athlete’s journey. He values sharing the stories behind each athlete—from their beginnings and hard work to the obstacles they have overcome—giving audiences a deeper look at the person behind the sport. Looking ahead, he is excited to continue learning, growing in broadcasting, and pursuing new opportunities in the field.

Kris Aponte is a New Jersey-based sports broadcaster and content creator. A 2023 graduate of Rider University, Kris launched his broadcasting career at 107.7 The Bronc, where he hosted multiple sports shows, served as Assistant Promotions Director, and provided play-by-play coverage for soccer, basketball, and baseball. His work at the station earned him recognition as part of two IBS Award-winning sports shows.

Following graduation, Kris expanded his industry experience with TelevisaUnivision and X96.3 New York, contributing to promotions, social media, live events, and content creation. His role brought him to major venues across the tri-state area, including Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, and Prudential Center.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Kris follows football closely, alongside basketball, baseball, boxing, MMA, and soccer. Having trained and competed in combat sports, he brings first-hand athletic experience and unique insight to his coverage.

In addition to broadcasting, Kris founded and operates Klock In with Kris, an independent sports media brand where he produces sports recaps, analysis, rankings, and digital content across social media platforms.

As a New Jersey native, Kris is excited to join the Garden State Athletic Network, return to the broadcast booth, and cover student-athletes and local sports communities throughout the state.

James Clarke grew up in Hackettstown and graduated from Hackettstown High School in June 2017, where he was a three-sport athlete in football, wrestling, and track & field. He continued his education at Warren County Community College, earning an Associate’s Degree in Secondary & Elementary Education in May 2019. James then attended East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, graduating in May 2022 with a dual major Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (PK-4) and Special Education (PK-8).

With four years of experience in the education field, James is currently employed in the Roxbury Public School District. Alongside his teaching career, he has spent the past four years as a commentator for the Garden State HS Wrestling/Athletic Network, calling numerous high school football and wrestling events across Northern New Jersey. From volunteering as a coach to working on the broadcasting team, James values the opportunity to engage with communities that take pride in their sports programs. He finds particular fulfillment in speaking with coaches, athletes, and fans from across the state, learning the history of each program and seeing current athletes uphold long-standing traditions.

A North Jersey native, Owen Colwell graduated from Rowan University in May 2026, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Communication & Media. During his three-year stay in Glassboro, Colwell spent a lot of time calling Rowan athletic events. Some highlights include traveling to Eastlake, Ohio in 2025 and 2026, when Rowan Baseball participated in the NCAA DIII Championships, as well as Utica, N.Y. in November 2025, when Rowan Football squared off in the ECAC Asa S. Bushnell Bowl. Colwell was very active in multiple organizations on campus, most notably Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM. He called and produced games for the station, and he also hosted multiple music shows throughout his time there. During the 2025-26 school year, he served as the station’s Sports Director, with some of his responsibilities including handling game schedules, and appointing podcast hosts. He also leaves Rowan with experience calling professional sports. Thanks to partnerships offered by Rowan’s Center for Sports Communication & Social Impact, Colwell had the opportunity to call Delaware Blue Coats (NBA G-League) and Wilmington Blue Rocks (Minor League Baseball) games that were broadcast on Rowan Radio’s online secondary channel. Sports have been a significant part of Colwell’s life, and he is grateful that the latest experiences and memories have come from the broadcast booth.

Matt Goldman is a junior at William Paterson University studying Broadcast Journalism and Film, Television, Audio. He is a sports broadcaster for the Garden State Athletic Network and serves as Sports Director for Brave New Radio, William Paterson’s student-run radio station, as well as Editor-in-Chief of The Beacon, the university’s student newspaper. Matt is also a play-by-play broadcaster for Felician University, Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham and the New Jersey Jackals. His experience spans broadcasting, sports journalism, editing and production, with a passion for storytelling and connecting audiences with sports across different platforms and venues. Matt previously interned at the Asbury Park Press and continues to pursue opportunities across the sports media industry.

John Kovach, a native of Budd Lake, came to the Garden State Athletic Network after more than 40 years in the media, during which he spent nearly 30 football seasons on the sidelines as a coach in Connecticut. A 1983 graduate of Mt. Olive High School, he was a member of the Marauders football team. Kovach studied journalism at the University of Bridgeport. He was sports editor and managing editor of The Scribe student newspaper, student assistant on The Black Rock Journal, and did play-by-play and sports director duties for WPKN. During his time at UB, future NBA player Manute Bol was a member of the Purple Knights. Kovach was a sportswriter with The Hour newspaper in Norwalk, Conn., from 1988 to 1993, when he left to become the founding assistant editor for The Darien (Conn.) Times with Hersam Acorn Newspapers. He went on to become editor of the New Canaan Advertiser for 10 years, followed by the Stratford Star, and Fairfield Sun. He was promoted editorial director of the Shelton, Conn., office, then editorial director of the entire chain. Hersam Acorn Newspapers launched the online outlet HAN radio in 2013, and the broadcasts evolved into the HAN Network, expanding into video in 2015. Kovach announced football, hockey and lacrosse; anchored daily news shows and co-hosted a weekly news magazine; and was creator, videographer, producer, director and host of Yankee Fisherman, covering angling and related stories. In 2018, broadcasting was shut down and Heart CT Media acquired the HAN Network. In 1993, Kovach became an assistant coach with the Fairfield, Conn., Pop Warner Football Program. In 2001, he was hired as an assistant football coach at Fairfield College Preparatory School. He joined the Platt Tech football program in Milford, Conn., in 2009. He followed the head coach and other staff members to Fairfield Ludlowe High School in 2013, and was there until 2017. After a break, some of which was spent announcing for the HAN Network, Kovach returned to the sidelines as a head freshman football coach and to Platt Tech as a substitute teacher in 2021. He was also head boys tennis coach for the Panthers until his return to New Jersey in 2023. During his time as a football coach, Kovach has coached offensive and defensive lines, running backs, linebackers, wide receivers and defensive backs. He has been an offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator and head coach at the sub-varsity levels.

Sam Prince is a 2026 graduate of Rowan University, where he earned a dual major in Sports Communication & Media and Journalism. During his time on campus, he was extremely involved with Rowan Radio and the Rowan Television Network, providing play-by-play, color commentary, and multimedia coverage across men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, football, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s lacrosse, baseball, and softball. Outside the classroom, he had many internships, including four seasons with the Delaware Blue Coats, the NBA G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers. He called games on the radio, hosted pregame, postgame, and halftime shows, and contributed as a fill‑in sideline reporter on NBA G League TV. He also served as an audio intern for Omaha Productions, as a production assistant and social media editor for high-profile ESPN and Omaha Productions shows, cutting social clips for programs including The Mina Kimes Show, SVPod, This Is Football, The Hoop Collective, Chiney Today, and Always College Football. For two years, he also hosted pregame and postgame shows for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, the Washington Nationals’ High-A affiliate.

Physical Education Teacher 1994-2013

Administrator- Bayonne Board of Education 2014–present

Head football coach-Bayonne HS 1996-1999

Christopher Ruiz joined the Garden State Athletic Network (GSAN) in 2025 as a Streaming Technician and Camera Operator. A 2020 graduate of Phillipsburg High School, Christopher went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in Sports Communication from Montclair State University in 2025. Leveraging his technical skills and passion for sports media, he brings hands-on production expertise to GSAN’s live athletic coverage across New Jersey.

When it comes to Broadcasting, no one is as passionate as Mark. With experience calling junior hockey, high school football, and both amateur and professional style wrestling, he’s been with in broadcasting for 3 years. After going to upstate New York last season to pursue a spot calling NA3HL and NAHL hockey, Mark returns to his home state of New Jersey and to the GSAN. Mark is a graduate of Phillipsburg High School, also has a degree from Virginia Tech, and with his experiences in the field of sports medicine and physical therapy, he makes for an amazing and dedicated sports caster.