Greg Hansen's top 10 sports voices in Tucson history
- Updated
Brian Jeffries, Voice of the Wildcats, tops the list.Β
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Editorβs note: This summer, Star columnist Greg Hansen is counting down the top 10 of just about everything related to Tucson sports.
Todayβs list: The top 10 sports voices in Tucson history.
Arizona hired its first true βVoice of the Wildcatsβ in 1972 and if anyone suggested it was a job of many colors, that doesnβt begin to describe Ray McNally.
Before assuming radio duties at the UA, McNally, a Missouri grad, had done radio play-by-play for Wichita State, New Mexico and Texas Tech. He had served as sports editor of the Tucson Citizen and as an editor at Golf World magazine.
More? He then worked for the state high school athletic association, helping to keep statistics and records, became an assistant general manager/statistician for the Tucson Toros, served as assistant sports information director at the UA, and took charge of programming at the universityβs radio station, KUAT.
McNally essentially replaced former Cleveland Indians play-by-play voice Jimmy Dudley and jack-of-all-trades TV sportscaster Bernie Perlin as the most-heard voice of Tucson sports.
When McNally died in 1981 (he was only 61), the UA worked through many voices, including Notre Dameβs 1964 Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte, future MLB announcer Kent Derdivanis, Harry West, Gene Adelstein, Pete Solomon, Ray Odom and others.
It then hit the mother lode of broadcasting, hiring NFL Hall of Famer Ray Scott, a mainstay at CBS, to call UA games from 1984-87.
When Scott retired after the β86-87 basketball season, Arizona promoted Brian Jeffries from the so-called second team; Jeffries, who grew up near Seattle, had been working pre- and post-game shows and calling Arizona baseball games.
Jeffries has endured and become the recognized voice of the Wildcats to generations of UA fans. Only Calβs Joe Starkey is believed to have stayed on the job longer at a Pac-12 school.
Our top 10 list doesnβt include those former UA athletes like baseballβs Joe Magrane and golfβs Jerry Foltz, who have gone on to accomplished broadcast careers, or those whose stay was so brief, such as Scott and Fox Sports Arizonaβs talented Todd Walsh. Weβve chosen to stay as local as possible.
Hereβs the list:Β
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
He began his career as an old-style disc jockey in Washington and Idaho.Β
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The Sabino High School and UA grad has gone on to be NBCβs lead play-by-play man for the PGA Tour, Olympic swimming and has also been a regular NFL voice. He began as a weekend sports anchor at Channel 4.Β
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Although Sitton tragically died when only 58, he left quite a legacy. A baseball and rugby lover, Sitton worked UA football and basketball telecasts for 20 years after serving as Arizonaβs baseball radio voice for most of the 1980s.Β
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The Salpointe Catholic High School and UA grad from Sonoita worked her way up the ladder to become one of the NFLβs leading sideline and studio personalities.Β
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
My choice as the leading sports-talk host in Tucson history, βGabeβ was an ASU grad who focused on local sports, from high school up. From 1989-98, Gabeβs no-holds-barred approach worked; he eschewed the easy way out by wasting a Tucson listenerβs time with NBA, NFL and MLB chatter.Β
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The face of Channel 9 sports for 25 years wasnβt a news-breaker, but he was a welcome and friendly face in your living room.Β
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The public address announcer at McKale Center and Arizona Stadium from 1978-96 was a part of the fabric of UA sports. His call of βSTEVE KERRRRRRR!β was one of a kind.Β
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
What didnβt Roemer cover at Channel 13, Channel 11, and as the public-address announcer at Hi Corbett Field and Tucson Electric Park for 30 years?Β
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
His work was so appreciated that the Toros named the press box after him.Β
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
His seven-year stint as Channel 4βs sports anchor was a glimpse of a big-market talent in Tucson. He has since moved to TV work on his home turf, Pittsburgh.Β
- Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Ryan Radtke occupied the No. 2 chair behind Jeffries for seven years in Tucson, taking on play-by-play duties of the Tucson Sidewinders and hosting an insightful radio sports-talk show. He recently left his gig as the Nevada Wolf Pack play-by-play voice to work nationally for Westwood One radio.
Editorβs note: This summer, Star columnist Greg Hansen is counting down the top 10 of just about everything related to Tucson sports.
Todayβs list: The top 10 sports voices in Tucson history.
Arizona hired its first true βVoice of the Wildcatsβ in 1972 and if anyone suggested it was a job of many colors, that doesnβt begin to describe Ray McNally.
Before assuming radio duties at the UA, McNally, a Missouri grad, had done radio play-by-play for Wichita State, New Mexico and Texas Tech. He had served as sports editor of the Tucson Citizen and as an editor at Golf World magazine.
More? He then worked for the state high school athletic association, helping to keep statistics and records, became an assistant general manager/statistician for the Tucson Toros, served as assistant sports information director at the UA, and took charge of programming at the universityβs radio station, KUAT.
McNally essentially replaced former Cleveland Indians play-by-play voice Jimmy Dudley and jack-of-all-trades TV sportscaster Bernie Perlin as the most-heard voice of Tucson sports.
When McNally died in 1981 (he was only 61), the UA worked through many voices, including Notre Dameβs 1964 Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte, future MLB announcer Kent Derdivanis, Harry West, Gene Adelstein, Pete Solomon, Ray Odom and others.
It then hit the mother lode of broadcasting, hiring NFL Hall of Famer Ray Scott, a mainstay at CBS, to call UA games from 1984-87.
When Scott retired after the β86-87 basketball season, Arizona promoted Brian Jeffries from the so-called second team; Jeffries, who grew up near Seattle, had been working pre- and post-game shows and calling Arizona baseball games.
Jeffries has endured and become the recognized voice of the Wildcats to generations of UA fans. Only Calβs Joe Starkey is believed to have stayed on the job longer at a Pac-12 school.
Our top 10 list doesnβt include those former UA athletes like baseballβs Joe Magrane and golfβs Jerry Foltz, who have gone on to accomplished broadcast careers, or those whose stay was so brief, such as Scott and Fox Sports Arizonaβs talented Todd Walsh. Weβve chosen to stay as local as possible.
Hereβs the list:Β
He began his career as an old-style disc jockey in Washington and Idaho.Β
The Sabino High School and UA grad has gone on to be NBCβs lead play-by-play man for the PGA Tour, Olympic swimming and has also been a regular NFL voice. He began as a weekend sports anchor at Channel 4.Β
Although Sitton tragically died when only 58, he left quite a legacy. A baseball and rugby lover, Sitton worked UA football and basketball telecasts for 20 years after serving as Arizonaβs baseball radio voice for most of the 1980s.Β
The Salpointe Catholic High School and UA grad from Sonoita worked her way up the ladder to become one of the NFLβs leading sideline and studio personalities.Β
My choice as the leading sports-talk host in Tucson history, βGabeβ was an ASU grad who focused on local sports, from high school up. From 1989-98, Gabeβs no-holds-barred approach worked; he eschewed the easy way out by wasting a Tucson listenerβs time with NBA, NFL and MLB chatter.Β
The face of Channel 9 sports for 25 years wasnβt a news-breaker, but he was a welcome and friendly face in your living room.Β
The public address announcer at McKale Center and Arizona Stadium from 1978-96 was a part of the fabric of UA sports. His call of βSTEVE KERRRRRRR!β was one of a kind.Β
What didnβt Roemer cover at Channel 13, Channel 11, and as the public-address announcer at Hi Corbett Field and Tucson Electric Park for 30 years?Β
His work was so appreciated that the Toros named the press box after him.Β
His seven-year stint as Channel 4βs sports anchor was a glimpse of a big-market talent in Tucson. He has since moved to TV work on his home turf, Pittsburgh.Β
Ryan Radtke occupied the No. 2 chair behind Jeffries for seven years in Tucson, taking on play-by-play duties of the Tucson Sidewinders and hosting an insightful radio sports-talk show. He recently left his gig as the Nevada Wolf Pack play-by-play voice to work nationally for Westwood One radio.
Tags
More information
View this profile on Instagram#ThisIsTucson π΅ (@this_is_tucson) β’ Instagram photos and videos
Most viewed stories
-
This new restaurant is coming soon, bringing Southern favorites to Tucson
-
60 fun events happening in Tucson this weekend Sept. 19-22 π₯¨
-
60 fun events happening in Tucson this weekend Sept. 12-15 πΌπ¬
-
This nameless taco stand makes delicious al pastor tacos straight from the trompo
-
The iconic Barbie truck is returning to Tucson with exclusive merch π
-
100 fun events happening in Tucson this September 2024 π»πΆ
-
35 FREE events happening in Tucson this September 2024 πΈ
-
Where should I eat in Tucson? A GIANT list of bucket list spots for every craving
-
At 6 months old, Tucson's baby elephant has made her way into the big girl pool
-
This local market turns Hotel Congress into a monthly hub of vintage clothing