October 27, 2008
CHICAGO – Nationally renowned play-by-play man Gus Johnson will join the Big Ten Network for men's basketball telecasts this season, network executives announced today, along with former Big Ten stars Kendall Gill of Illinois and Steve Smith of Michigan State.
"We couldn't be more excited about having such a talented lineup for our studio and game coverage. These play-by-play announcers and analysts have a great understanding of the history and tradition of the Big Ten and many of these individuals themselves are a part of that legacy," said Leon Schweir, Big Ten Network Executive Producer and Vice President for Production.
Johnson, a Detroit native, is recognized as one of the most exciting and entertaining sportscasters today. He has called NFL and NCAA Tournament games for CBS since 1996. Johnson's voice is associated with many memorable NCAA Tournament games of the past 15 years, including Princeton's upset of UCLA in 1996, Gonzaga's upset of Florida in 1999, Vermont's upset of Syracuse in 2005 and the nail-biters between UCLA-Gonzaga in 2006, Ohio State-Xavier in 2007 and Davidson-Kansas in 2008. Johnson is also currently the radio voice of the New York Knicks.
Johnson will be joined on many Big Ten Network broadcasts by Smith, the former Michigan State All-American, NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist. Smith was selected in the first round of the 1991 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat. He enjoyed a 14-year NBA career before starting a career in broadcasting. Smith has served as an analyst on Atlanta Hawks television broadcasts.
Gill, who led the "Flying Illini" to the 1989 Final Four, will add studio analysis during Big Ten Tonight and the Big Ten Tip-Off Show. Gill led the Big Ten in scoring during his senior season and was the fifth overall pick by the NBA's Charlotte Hornets in 1990. The Chicago-area native played 15 seasons in the NBA, most notably with the Hornets and the New Jersey Nets. After retiring from the NBA, Gill served as an analyst on Chicago Bulls television broadcasts.
Once again, the network's basketball studio show, Big Ten Tip-Off Show, will be anchored by lead studio host Dave Revsine, six-time national coach of the year and former Purdue head coach Gene Keady, Ohio State legend and 14-year NBA veteran Jim Jackson and former Northwestern star Tim Doyle.
Play-by-play announcer Wayne Larrivee and analyst Shon Morris, who called Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament games for the Big Ten Network last year, including Minnesota's miracle win against Indiana, are also back for a second season.
Returners also include veteran play-by-play announcers Craig Coshun, Tom Hamilton and Mark Neely. Revsine will also serve as play-by-play announcer for selected network telecasts. The network's game analysts will include several former Big Ten stars such as Greg Kelser, a member of Michigan State's 1979 NCAA Championship team; Tim McCormick, former Michigan star and NBA veteran; and Trent Tucker, Golden Gopher legend and former New York Knick.
Recent Minnesota graduate and television newcomer Spencer Tollackson, a senior on Tubby Smith's first team in Minneapolis, will serve as a game analyst during some Big Ten Network broadcasts.
The network's women's basketball studio coverage will be led by Big Ten Tonight host Mike Hall and analyst Stephanie White, who was an All-American and won a national championship during her time at Purdue. For the second straight year, the network's top women's basketball broadcast team will feature Neely and former Wisconsin head coach Mary Murphy. Former Indiana assistant coach Vera Jones and former Nebraska head coach Brenda VanLengen will also add game analysis.
Primary Men's Basketball Play-By-Play Announcers
Craig Coshun: Second year with network; experience includes pre-game and post-game Brewers and Bucks coverage for FSN North... Tom Hamilton: Second year with network; 19-year veteran voice of the Cleveland Indians... Gus Johnson: First year with network; Detroit native also calls the NFL and the NCAA Basketball Tournament for CBS; radio play-by-play voice of the New York Knicks... Wayne Larrivee: Second year with network; also calls Big Ten Network football games; former television play-by-play voice of the Chicago Bulls... Mark Neely: Second year with network; teamed with Glen Mason this fall on Big Ten Network football telecasts... Dave Revsine: Second year with network; lead studio host of the Big Ten Tonight, Big Ten Tip-off Show and Big Ten Football Saturday; called men's basketball games on the network last season.
Primary Men's Basketball Studio Analysts
Tim Doyle: Second year with network; former Northwestern star (2005-07)... Kendall Gill: First year with network; led Illini to the 1989 Final Four; played 15 seasons in the NBA... Jim Jackson: Second year with network; two-time Big Ten Player of the Year at Ohio State (1991-92)... Gene Keady: Second year with network; six-time national coach of the year at Purdue.
Primary Men's Basketball Game Analysts
Greg Kelser: Second year with network; Pistons broadcaster; star on Michigan State's 1979 NCAA Championship team... Tim McCormick: Second year with network; former first-round NBA draft pick out of Michigan... Shon Morris: Second year with network; former Northwestern basketball player; previously served as an analyst for WGN Radio and ESPN Regional... Steve Smith: First year with network; former Michigan State All-American and NBA All-Star... Trent Tucker: Second year with network; former Minnesota star and an 11-year NBA veteran, including nine with the Knicks; former analyst for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Primary Women's Basketball Play-By-Play Announcers
Jenean Ford: Second year with network; served as play-by-play announcer and studio analyst for women's basketball last season... Jenn Hildreth: Second year with network; experienced reporter, studio host and game announcer for Fox Sports South and Big Ten Network... Mark Neely: Second year with network; teams with Mary Murphy for women's basketball broadcasts and Glen Mason on Big Ten Network football telecasts... Leah Secondo: Second year with network; called women's basketball and Olympic sports broadcasts for Big Ten Network.
Primary Women's Basketball Analysts
Vera Jones: Second year with network; former Indiana assistant; former broadcaster for ESPN, FSN and MSG... Mary Murphy: Second year with network; former analyst for ESPN2; former Wisconsin and Sacramento Monarchs head coach... Brenda VanLengen: Second year with network; former Nebraska coach; previously worked for ESPN2 and FSN... Stephanie White: Second year with network; led Purdue to a national championship and later played five years in the WNBA.
About the Big Ten Network:
The Big Ten Network is the first national network dedicated to covering one of the premier collegiate conferences in the country. With more than 400 live events, and nearly all of them in HD, the network is the destination for Big Ten fans across the country and allows fans to see their favorite team, regardless of where they live. Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Big Ten Network showcases a wide array of classic-to-current sports and televises more Olympic sporting events and women's sports than has ever been aired on any other network. Original programming highlights activities and accomplishments of some of the nation's finest universities. Each year, the network offers approximately 35 football games, 105 regular season men's basketball games, 55 women's basketball games, dozens of Big Ten Championship events, a nightly studio show, coaches' shows and classic games. Available to all cable and satellite providers nationwide, the network currently has agreements with AT&T U-Verse, Charter, Comcast, Cox, DirecTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS and 230 cable operators.
For updated information on the Big Ten Network, go to www.BigTenNetwork.com.
Big Ten Network Announces 2008-09 On-Air Basketball Talent Lineup
- Nationally renowned play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson joins network team
- Former conference stars Kendall Gill, Steve Smith return to Big Ten
- Gene Keady, Jim Jackson and Tim Doyle back for second season on 'Tip-off Show' set
CHICAGO – Nationally renowned play-by-play man Gus Johnson will join the Big Ten Network for men's basketball telecasts this season, network executives announced today, along with former Big Ten stars Kendall Gill of Illinois and Steve Smith of Michigan State.
"We couldn't be more excited about having such a talented lineup for our studio and game coverage. These play-by-play announcers and analysts have a great understanding of the history and tradition of the Big Ten and many of these individuals themselves are a part of that legacy," said Leon Schweir, Big Ten Network Executive Producer and Vice President for Production.
Johnson, a Detroit native, is recognized as one of the most exciting and entertaining sportscasters today. He has called NFL and NCAA Tournament games for CBS since 1996. Johnson's voice is associated with many memorable NCAA Tournament games of the past 15 years, including Princeton's upset of UCLA in 1996, Gonzaga's upset of Florida in 1999, Vermont's upset of Syracuse in 2005 and the nail-biters between UCLA-Gonzaga in 2006, Ohio State-Xavier in 2007 and Davidson-Kansas in 2008. Johnson is also currently the radio voice of the New York Knicks.
Johnson will be joined on many Big Ten Network broadcasts by Smith, the former Michigan State All-American, NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist. Smith was selected in the first round of the 1991 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat. He enjoyed a 14-year NBA career before starting a career in broadcasting. Smith has served as an analyst on Atlanta Hawks television broadcasts.
Gill, who led the "Flying Illini" to the 1989 Final Four, will add studio analysis during Big Ten Tonight and the Big Ten Tip-Off Show. Gill led the Big Ten in scoring during his senior season and was the fifth overall pick by the NBA's Charlotte Hornets in 1990. The Chicago-area native played 15 seasons in the NBA, most notably with the Hornets and the New Jersey Nets. After retiring from the NBA, Gill served as an analyst on Chicago Bulls television broadcasts.
Once again, the network's basketball studio show, Big Ten Tip-Off Show, will be anchored by lead studio host Dave Revsine, six-time national coach of the year and former Purdue head coach Gene Keady, Ohio State legend and 14-year NBA veteran Jim Jackson and former Northwestern star Tim Doyle.
Play-by-play announcer Wayne Larrivee and analyst Shon Morris, who called Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament games for the Big Ten Network last year, including Minnesota's miracle win against Indiana, are also back for a second season.
Returners also include veteran play-by-play announcers Craig Coshun, Tom Hamilton and Mark Neely. Revsine will also serve as play-by-play announcer for selected network telecasts. The network's game analysts will include several former Big Ten stars such as Greg Kelser, a member of Michigan State's 1979 NCAA Championship team; Tim McCormick, former Michigan star and NBA veteran; and Trent Tucker, Golden Gopher legend and former New York Knick.
Recent Minnesota graduate and television newcomer Spencer Tollackson, a senior on Tubby Smith's first team in Minneapolis, will serve as a game analyst during some Big Ten Network broadcasts.
The network's women's basketball studio coverage will be led by Big Ten Tonight host Mike Hall and analyst Stephanie White, who was an All-American and won a national championship during her time at Purdue. For the second straight year, the network's top women's basketball broadcast team will feature Neely and former Wisconsin head coach Mary Murphy. Former Indiana assistant coach Vera Jones and former Nebraska head coach Brenda VanLengen will also add game analysis.
Primary Men's Basketball Play-By-Play Announcers
Craig Coshun: Second year with network; experience includes pre-game and post-game Brewers and Bucks coverage for FSN North... Tom Hamilton: Second year with network; 19-year veteran voice of the Cleveland Indians... Gus Johnson: First year with network; Detroit native also calls the NFL and the NCAA Basketball Tournament for CBS; radio play-by-play voice of the New York Knicks... Wayne Larrivee: Second year with network; also calls Big Ten Network football games; former television play-by-play voice of the Chicago Bulls... Mark Neely: Second year with network; teamed with Glen Mason this fall on Big Ten Network football telecasts... Dave Revsine: Second year with network; lead studio host of the Big Ten Tonight, Big Ten Tip-off Show and Big Ten Football Saturday; called men's basketball games on the network last season.
Primary Men's Basketball Studio Analysts
Tim Doyle: Second year with network; former Northwestern star (2005-07)... Kendall Gill: First year with network; led Illini to the 1989 Final Four; played 15 seasons in the NBA... Jim Jackson: Second year with network; two-time Big Ten Player of the Year at Ohio State (1991-92)... Gene Keady: Second year with network; six-time national coach of the year at Purdue.
Primary Men's Basketball Game Analysts
Greg Kelser: Second year with network; Pistons broadcaster; star on Michigan State's 1979 NCAA Championship team... Tim McCormick: Second year with network; former first-round NBA draft pick out of Michigan... Shon Morris: Second year with network; former Northwestern basketball player; previously served as an analyst for WGN Radio and ESPN Regional... Steve Smith: First year with network; former Michigan State All-American and NBA All-Star... Trent Tucker: Second year with network; former Minnesota star and an 11-year NBA veteran, including nine with the Knicks; former analyst for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Primary Women's Basketball Play-By-Play Announcers
Jenean Ford: Second year with network; served as play-by-play announcer and studio analyst for women's basketball last season... Jenn Hildreth: Second year with network; experienced reporter, studio host and game announcer for Fox Sports South and Big Ten Network... Mark Neely: Second year with network; teams with Mary Murphy for women's basketball broadcasts and Glen Mason on Big Ten Network football telecasts... Leah Secondo: Second year with network; called women's basketball and Olympic sports broadcasts for Big Ten Network.
Primary Women's Basketball Analysts
Vera Jones: Second year with network; former Indiana assistant; former broadcaster for ESPN, FSN and MSG... Mary Murphy: Second year with network; former analyst for ESPN2; former Wisconsin and Sacramento Monarchs head coach... Brenda VanLengen: Second year with network; former Nebraska coach; previously worked for ESPN2 and FSN... Stephanie White: Second year with network; led Purdue to a national championship and later played five years in the WNBA.
About the Big Ten Network:
The Big Ten Network is the first national network dedicated to covering one of the premier collegiate conferences in the country. With more than 400 live events, and nearly all of them in HD, the network is the destination for Big Ten fans across the country and allows fans to see their favorite team, regardless of where they live. Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Big Ten Network showcases a wide array of classic-to-current sports and televises more Olympic sporting events and women's sports than has ever been aired on any other network. Original programming highlights activities and accomplishments of some of the nation's finest universities. Each year, the network offers approximately 35 football games, 105 regular season men's basketball games, 55 women's basketball games, dozens of Big Ten Championship events, a nightly studio show, coaches' shows and classic games. Available to all cable and satellite providers nationwide, the network currently has agreements with AT&T U-Verse, Charter, Comcast, Cox, DirecTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS and 230 cable operators.
For updated information on the Big Ten Network, go to www.BigTenNetwork.com.
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