Steve Cotton, the longtime Voice of the Thundering Herd, walked into what he assumed would be just another typical Monday morning meeting this week. Little did he know, he was the subject of a surprise celebration.
Cotton was surprised when it was revealed that the home radio broadcast booth at Joan C. Edwards Stadium had been renamed “The Steve Cotton Broadcast Suite.” This honor recognized his three decades behind the mic, during which he has been part of some of the most memorable moments in Marshall Athletics history. From his first year as the play-by-play announcer, calling the 1996 National Championship and the many touchdowns from Pennington to Moss, to iconic events like the 2001 Miracle in Mobile, and when the Herd secured a spot in the NCAA Basketball Tournament with the famous line, “Have you ever seen a buffalo dance?”, Cotton has become intertwined with the fanbase. Many fans may not know what he looks like, but his voice is unmistakable.
Even in today’s age of video streaming and HD cameras, the radio play-by-play announcer holds a special place in the hearts of sports fans. On game days, Cotton is a welcome friend who paints an unseen picture of the action, making you feel as though he is speaking directly to you about your favorite team.
West Virginians are indeed spoiled with the quality of announcers they get to enjoy. The same year Cotton started, 1996, saw Tony Caridi become the full-time play-by-play announcer for WVU, where he has famously describes why, “It’s a great day to be a Mountaineer, wherever you may be.”
Fred Persinger’s voice is synonymous with high school sports in West Virginia. He has called the action at the state High School Basketball Tournament for over 50 years, covering three generations of high school athletes both on the field and on the court.
This appreciation for announcers extends beyond the college and professional levels. Across towns and communities throughout the state, announcers add a their own unique descriptions and historical contexts that transforms simple games into imaginative experiences. Hometown announcers become friends, even if the conversation is one-sided. They are familiar, trusted voices who share in the excitement when the home team triumphs and feel the disappointment when things don’t go as planned.
The intimate nature of radio, frequently listened to alone in the car, while doing chores around the house, or even as one drifts off to sleep, fosters a one-on-one connection that television or streaming simply cannot replicate.
For those of us of a certain age, it reminds of us of our childhood, when that voice on the radio was our only connection to our favorite teams. For the younger generation, that voice booming through the speakers still narrates some of the best moments of our fandom from our hometown high schools up the to the biggest and brightest stages.