In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Bay Area residents often tuned in to hear renowned broadcasters like Ted Robinson, Greg Papa, Jon Miller, Duane Kuiper, Mike Krukow, Tim Roye, Dan Rusanowsky, Ken Korach, and Joe Starkey. Among those listeners was Justin Allegri.
Allegri is now entering his third season as the play-by-play voice of the Golden Bears. Reflecting on his youth spent listening to these iconic voices, he said: “At that time, I felt every team in the Bay Area had a tremendous example of how to be a broadcaster.” This experience helped him develop his broadcasting style.
His journey began at San Jose State University with encouragement from his mother Lynne. Over ten years there, Allegri progressed from an eager student to a full-time staff member responsible for video productions and broadcasts for Spartan sports teams.
Despite enjoying his role at San Jose State University and helping it grow in broadcasting and digital media within college athletics, Allegri harbored ambitions for further growth. When Joe Starkey announced his retirement after 48 years as the voice of the Bears in 2023, Allegri saw an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. “I was very happy at San Jose State,” Allegri stated. “But when I heard that Joe was retiring… Opportunities like the one at Cal don’t come around often.”
On August 3rd of that year, Allegri became the new voice of the Golden Bears. He recalled: “It was such a whirlwind… I had to learn names… schedules and a lot more in only a few weeks.”
Former Cal quarterback and current color analyst Mike Pawlawski praised Allegri’s transition: “Being the guy after the guy is tough… Since day one Justin has come in and been such a pro.”
Now well into their third year together in Berkeley’s broadcast booth alongside Pawlawski—where chemistry between them remains strong—Allegri feels right at home continuing what could become another legacy among great storytellers for future generations across Bay Area radio waves.
