UCLA yesterday announced the hiring of Bill Roth as the new play-by-play announcer for both football and men’s basketball radio broadcasts. Roth spent the past 27 seasons in the same role at Virginia Tech. He will make his final call for VT at Saturday's spring football game (UCLA). In L.A., Tom Hoffarth notes Roth "replaces Chris Roberts," who held the radio role for the previous 23 seasons at UCLA. Roth's first game will be when UCLA "opens its football season at the Rose Bowl" against Virginia on Sept. 5. Roberts "called his last game for UCLA on March 27, the Bruins’ loss to Gonzaga in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament." Sources said that "front-runners for his replacement" also included Chargers play-by-play man Josh Lewin and CBS Sports Net play-by-play man Ron Pitts (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 4/23).
OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME: In Virginia, Mark Berman reports Roth "interviewed for the UCLA opening last month and was offered the job last Friday." Roth said, "I wasn’t looking to leave, but it was an iconic program in a big city, near family. I never thought I’d leave. ... I love Tech and always will." Berman notes Roth was inducted into the Virginia Sports HOF in '13. VT radio analyst Mike Burnop said that Roth "agonized for days over whether to leave." Roth: “It’s been the most emotional time of my life." Roth said he “bawled like a baby” when he met with VT AD Whit Babcock on Sunday night. Roth added that he also "had an emotional phone call" with VT football coach Frank Beamer (ROANOKE TIMES, 4/23).
BELOVED FIGURE: In Virginia, David Teel writes Roth is "among the most beloved Hokies of all-time." Roth became a part of VT’s "fabric, bringing the Hokies to fans around the world with a classically trained yet down-home voice." Roth "generated untold goodwill for Tech, emceeing hundreds of events on and off campus" (Hampton Roads DAILY PRESS, 4/23).
