UCLA Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero announced today that Bill Roth has been hired as the Bruins’ new play-by-play announcer for both football and men’s basketball radio broadcasts. Roth, a veteran of the industry for more than 25 years, is a member of both the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Syracuse University’s WAER Hall of Fame.
“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,” Roth said. “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.”
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