FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) — A lifelong love of hockey has propelled a Butler University senior into the record books as the first woman to handle play-by-play broadcasting duties for the Indy Fuel.

As reported by 21Alive, 22-year-old Eva Hallman has been around the sport nearly her entire life — long before she could walk.

“At six months old, I went to my first Komets game,” Hallman said. “My mom likes to say I was going to games even before I was born.”

The Auburn native’s path to the broadcast booth began during her freshman year of college, when she shadowed longtime Fort Wayne Komets broadcaster Shane Albahrani, whom she considers a major influence.

“He knows the players, he knows the style — he knows everything,” Hallman said.

Albahrani said supporting young broadcasters like Hallman is one of the most rewarding parts of his job.

“I just hope I can be a little part of their success,” he said. “If I’m even a small bit of inspiration, wonderful. I’m always here for them.”

Hallman later secured an internship with the Indy Fuel. On International Women’s Night, she stepped behind the microphone for her first game — an experience she admitted was nerve-wracking.

“I was so terrified because I was so critical of myself,” she said. “But I kept doing it, and it’s been the best time of my life.”

After three years with the Fuel, she now calls games alongside veteran broadcaster Andrew Smith, who said Hallman’s growth has been remarkable.

“She continues to break barriers, and it’s really impressive,” Smith said. “The sky is the limit for her.”

Hallman’s first solo broadcast came against the Fort Wayne Komets — the team that sparked her passion for hockey decades earlier.

“Doing the game solo and seeing Shane across from me was really a full-circle moment,” she said. “I want to pave the way so it’s normalized that women can be in hockey and talk about hockey too.”

Hallman is set to graduate in May and plans to continue pursuing a career in sports broadcasting.