Earlier in the year, longtime Nebraska Cornhuskers football play-by-play announcer Greg Sharpe passed away after fighting pancreatic cancer. Sharpe had been in the role since 2008, working as a senior announcer, host and producer, and he became known as the “Voice of the Huskers.” Moving into the position starting this season is Kyle Crooks, who was a broadcast coordinator and play-by-play announcer for the Florida Gators over the last eight years. Within his new role, he will be calling games for the Big Ten Conference football team while also co-hosting the Sports Nightly show as director of broadcasting for the Huskers Radio Network.
“I am incredibly excited for this opportunity!,” Crooks said in a statement. “It’s a dream come true to broadcast the great moments ahead for the Cornhuskers. I can’t wait to get to Lincoln and meet Husker Nation. It will be an honor to work alongside a talented team in the Greg Sharpe Radio Booth. Greg is a legend in the broadcast industry and beyond, and I will work passionately to continue his elite standard of excellence both in the booth and in the community.”
While Crooks was calling games for Florida, he also worked as an announcer for the College Football Game of the Week on the National Sports Network. Outside of this national role, he also performed play-by-play announcing responsibilities with SEC Radio at the women’s basketball and softball conference tournaments. Under his new role, he will work on the Huskers Radio Network football broadcasts with analyst Damon Benning and reporter Jessica Coody. Crooks, who is a graduate of William Paterson University, joins a roster of play-by-play announcers that includes Matt Coatney, John Baylor and Kent Pavelka among others.
“Kyle Crooks is a rising star in the broadcast world, and we are thrilled to have him join the Huskers Radio Network and our Nebraska family,” Troy Dannen, director of athletics for the University of Nebraska, said in a statement. “Kyle’s play-by-play abilities and voice speak for themselves, and I was equally impressed with his dedication to his craft and his energy. I would like to credit Playfly Sports for leading a successful search with many excellent candidates. Kyle will be a great lead voice on one of the nation’s best football broadcasts, and we are so fortunate to have him join our impressive group of play-by-play voices across all sports.”
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