In Minneapolis, Joe Christensen notes Cory Provus is the "new radio play-by-play voice for the Twins" after serving the "past three years as the Brewers' No. 2 radio voice." Provus was viewed as Bob Uecker's "heir apparent before the Twins hired him to replace" the retiring John Gordon. Provus will "handle play-by-play duties for either five or six innings," with analyst Dan Gladden "doing the rest, but they will constantly serve as a two-man booth" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/4). Provus said, "How could you not just accept and want this opportunity? ... You dream about calling that dramatic ninth inning, and that’s what the No. 1 chair allows" (KSTP-ABC, 11/3). Brewers VP/Communications Tyler Barnes said, "You never want to lose someone, but when they have an opportunity like this -- there are only 30 of these jobs out there" (JSONLINE.com, 11/3).
ANOTHER NIGHT'S WORK: In California, Jim Carlisle notes Brad Nessler "has become one of the unmistakable voices of college football over the last two decades for ESPN and ABC," but next week he will "add the NFL to his repertoire, doing play-by-play for NFL Network's Thursday night games." Nessler three times he "called the second game of season-opening 'Monday Night Football' doubleheaders on ESPN, and he also called a few games for CBS in the 1990s." He said, "It's a challenge; I can't argue with that. But I've been sort of involved with the NFL for a long time when I started my career and it's kind of come full circle. I started doing NFL games when I was 25 and I'm certainly not 25 anymore" (VENTURA COUNTY STAR, 11/4).
FROM THE SIDELINES: CBS Sports sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson, who will work Saturday's LSU-Alabama game, said teams "make up their own set of rules" about relaying news on things such as player injuries. Wolfson "expects both teams will let her near the benches" on Saturday night. USA TODAY's Michael Hiestand notes college sideline reporters "face fewer restrictions than their NFL counterparts" (USA TODAY, 11/4).
VOICES OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL: ESPN released its '11-12 college basketball announcer pairings, and the list included several newcomers. "MNF" play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico will work the weekly Big Ten "Super Tuesday" game with analyst Dan Dakich. Meanwhile, with the NBA having canceled all games at least through the end of November, ESPN's primary NBA broadcast team of Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy will work select non-conference college games this month. Rece Davis will return to host "College GameDay" with analysts Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas and Hubert Davis (THE DAILY).
BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: Hazel Mae will return to Rogers Sportsnet as anchor for the 6:00pm ET weeknight edition of "Sportsnet Connected" on Sportsnet East. Mae will work across all Sportsnet platforms and as a regular contributor on Sportsnet magazine and sportnet.ca (Rogers Sportsnet). The GLOBE & MAIL’s Bruce Dowbiggin writes Mae, who worked for NESN and MLB Network after leaving Sportsnet in '04, “polished her game, evolving from a bubbly to a more substantial on-air presence.” Going “head-to-head with Rod Smith on TSN’s ‘SportsCentre,’ she’ll need some gravitas” (GLOBE & MAIL, 11/4).
