Brian Rice, a ten year play-by-play veteran inside the University of Tennessee athletic department, has been named the new voice of Lady Vol basketball.
Rice, who most recently was calling Tennessee softball games and served as a fill-in for Mickey Dearstone on two Tennessee women’s hoops broadcasts in 2020, will handle radio play-by-play duties.
“All of us in the Lady Vol program extend a warm welcome to Brian and look forward to working alongside him,” Tennessee Women’s Basketball Head Coach Kellie Harper said. “He is so passionate about the university and the athletics department, and his combination of love and respect for Lady Vol basketball is abundantly clear. Brian built his broadcast reputation calling Lady Vol Softball and other events, and I look forward to him utilizing his talents, experience and platform to share Lady Vol basketball’s story as well.”
Rice becomes just the third person to hold the role on a full-time basis, Rice joins the Lady Vol Network after Dearstone announced his retirement in the spring of 2022 following 23 seasons behind the microphone.
“Brian has done a fantastic job on the radio with Tennessee softball for many years and filling in for Mickey on some Lady Vols basketball games in the past,” Vol Network General Manager Steve Early said. “His background, experience and knowledge has uniquely prepared him for this very prestigious next role, and it is very apparent how much devotion and passion he has for the University of Tennessee and Lady Vols basketball.”
“I am honored to be chosen to represent the most powerful brand in women’s college athletics in Tennessee Lady Vol basketball,” Rice said. “I am incredibly excited to get started and share the stories of our student-athletes while painting a picture of the action for our loyal fans on the Lady Vol Radio Network.
