University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Hall-of-Fame Broadcaster Bill Roth Hired as New Play-by-Play Announcer
April 22, 2015 | Bruin Athletics
“It's not every day that you're able to add a Hall-of-Famer to your program,” said Guerrero. “Bill is as accomplished of a broadcaster as there is in this country, and we could not be more excited to have him put his stamp on UCLA games. I know our fans will appreciate Bill's unique ability to paint a picture of the action with his words and, when everything is said and done, expect that Bill will more than live up to the legacy set forth by the many great UCLA broadcasters that have come before.”
Roth comes to UCLA after spending the past 27 seasons as the lead play-by-play broadcaster for Virginia Tech's football and men's basketball teams. The 11-time Virginia Sportscaster of the Year, as voted on by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, was involved in all facets of the athletic department while in Blacksburg. A frequent speaker at Virginia Tech fund raising and charitable functions throughout the region, Roth also hosted a Sunday morning television show, penned both online and magazine columns and even worked with campus police to develop unique emergency training modules for Virginia Tech faculty, staff and visitors.
In addition to his time serving the athletic department, he has also worked extensively with the United Way over the past two decades to serve the community. In each of the past 13 years, he has hosted for Bill Roth's Kids Day, an event that treats more than 100 underprivileged children to a “VIP” experience before, during and after Virginia Tech men's basketball games.
“I am tremendously grateful, honored and humbled to be named the new 'Voice of the Bruins,'” said Roth. “I have tremendous respect for the UCLA tradition, having grown up sitting in front of the television in awe of national broadcasts featuring UCLA teams playing at historic venues like Pauley Pavilion and the Rose Bowl. From hearing 'Sons of Westwood' blaring through the speakers to witnessing championship teams led by larger-than-life coaches, I am well aware that this is one of America's most iconic institutions.
“Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Coach Wooden in his Encino den. The experience was second to none, and little did I know that a few years later, I would have the privilege of getting behind the microphone for the team he so dearly loved.
“Words cannot express how excited I am to be joining the Bruin family. To be part of college sports' most accomplished athletic program is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I cannot wait to be part of the next chapter of UCLA's storied history.”
Roth, who will continue to work for IMG College - the multimedia rights partner for both Virginia Tech and UCLA, will make his final call for Virginia Tech at the Hokies' spring football game this Saturday. At the end of the first quarter, the Virginia Tech Athletic Department will recognize Roth by announcing the establishment of the Bill Roth Student-Athlete Endowed Scholarship, which will be awarded annually in perpetuity to a deserving Virginia Tech student-athlete with an interest in communications or broadcast journalism.
In addition to his work at Virginia Tech that includes Orange Bowls, Sugar Bowls and NCAA Tournaments, Roth has also taken the mic for the Richmond Braves (Atlanta Braves' Triple-A affiliate) and ESPN to call NCAA baseball, lacrosse and kickboxing among other events.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Roth graduated from Syracuse University's renowned Newhouse School of Public Communications in 1987 with a degree in broadcast journalism a year after being awarded the distinguished Robert Costas Scholarship. While at Syracuse, Roth followed in a long-line of sports broadcasters who got their start at famed student-run WAER radio that includes Bob Costas, Marv Albert, Mike Tirico, Sean McDonough, Ian Eagle and Dick Stockton among others.
Tirico, Roth's classmate at Syracuse who inducted him into the WAER Hall of Fame in 2014 and currently serves as the play-by-play voice of ESPN's Monday Night Football, noted, “Bill was born to be in the booth calling a game, and few do it better."
Click here to listen to audio of some of Roth's play-by-play calls.
