Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Renowned sports broadcaster for the University of Tennessee Bob Kesling Thursday announcing he will retire as the Voice of the Vols after the 2024-25 men’s basketball season.
Kesling has enjoyed an incredible career that stretches over five decades, marking him as a pillar of the Vol Network and the iconic voice of UT football and men’s basketball.
Kesling worked under legendary broadcaster and former Voice of the Vols John Ward for 15 seasons, handling pre-game, halftime and post-game interviews, before ascending to the role in 1999.
Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White reflected on Kesling’s career announcing Tennessee plays on Thursday, calling him an icon for Tennessee Athletics.
“Bob‘s influence has been remarkable, touching so many lives as the ’Voice of the Vols’ and through his heartfelt dedication as a mentor and leader in our Knoxville community for over 50 years,” White said. “He embodies the true spirit of someone who has given his all for Tennessee.”
Kesling has received numerous awards over his decades-long career, including induction this summer into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in Murfreesboro. The event was organized by the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters and further cemented the Vol Radio Network’s legacy.
“As an icon in the broadcasting industry, we are deeply appreciative of the professionalism he brings to Tennessee Athletics each time he takes the microphone,” White said. “His contributions resonate with all of us here on Rocky Top and we cannot thank him enough for everything he has done.”
It‘s a legacy that’s stretched over some of Tennessee’s most famous sports moments.
“Bob Kesling has been the soundtrack to the memories of generations of Vols fans,” Chancellor Donde Plowman said. “From his calls of Pat Summitt’s six national championships to the 2022 football win over Alabama, he has cemented his place in Tennessee Athletics history. His professionalism, dedication, and love for Tennessee is unmatched and we are grateful that he chose to share his talents with all of us for the last three-plus decades.”
Active in the community, Kesling serves on the boards of directors for Goodwill, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame. He was also the 2013 United Way Campaign Chairperson. He was inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Tennessee Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame in 2020.
A 1977 graduate of Tennessee, Kesling and his wife, Tami, have two daughters, Allison and Melissa; he retires after the 2024-25 men’s basketball season to spend more time with his family which now includes four grandchildren with another anticipated in April.
Kesling, a pillar of sports radio, is the longest-serving member of the Vol Network and someone Tennessee fans have come to expect each time the Vols start play. (Courtesy: UT Athletics)
Kesling has enjoyed an incredible career that stretches over five decades, marking him as a pillar of the Vol Network
GeneralNovember 07, 2024
The Vol Network and Tennessee Athletics announced on Thursday that renowned announcer Bob Kesling will retire as the Voice of the Vols after the 2024-25 men’s basketball season.
Kesling has enjoyed an incredible career that stretches over five decades, marking him as a pillar of the Vol Network, which celebrated its 75th anniversary. His dedication and experience have made him the longest-serving member in the organization’s storied history, a testament to his unwavering commitment and influence within the community.
“Bob’s influence has been remarkable, touching so many lives as the Voice of the Vols and through his heartfelt dedication as a mentor and leader in our Knoxville community for over 50 years,” Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. “He embodies the true spirit of someone who has given his all for Tennessee. As an icon in the broadcasting industry, we are deeply appreciative of the professionalism he brings to Tennessee Athletics each time he takes the microphone. His contributions resonate with all of us here on Rocky Top and we cannot thank him enough for everything he has done.”
This summer, Kesling received the prestigious honor of being inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame during a ceremony held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The event, organized by the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, celebrated his significant contributions to the field of broadcasting. By joining the Hall of Fame, Kesling is now part of an exclusive group of distinguished individuals who have made remarkable impacts on Tennessee Athletics and the Vol Radio Network, further solidifying his legacy in the state’s rich broadcasting history.
“Bob Kesling has been the soundtrack to the memories of generations of Vols fans,” Chancellor Donde Plowman said. “From his calls of Pat Summitt’s six national championships to the 2022 football win over Alabama, he has cemented his place in Tennessee Athletics history. His professionalism, dedication, and love for Tennessee is unmatched and we are grateful that he chose to share his talents with all of us for the last three-plus decades.”
For over 25 years, Kesling has served as the “Voice of the Vols” on radio and television. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, he has represented Tennessee Athletics in various capacities, both on-air and off-air, most notably as Director of Broadcasting. He is a four-time recipient of the “Sportscaster of the Year” award for the state of Tennessee.
“Bob Kesling is a cornerstone in our proud 75-year history of the Vol Network,” Vol Network Vice President & General Manager Steve Early said. “It will be hard to imagine a football Saturday without the presence of such a skilled and dedicated story-teller. His unmatched versatility as both a radio and television personality has been an advantage Tennessee fans have enjoyed for 50 years. Nobody loves the Vol Network more than Bob. It’s fitting that an entire generation has grown up knowing only his voice. And the amount of people he has encouraged and influenced in this industry says all you need to know about his broadcasting legacy. To me, he personifies loyalty and what it means to be a big-time professional. The Vol Network is better because of Bob Kesling.”
Since being named the lead announcer on the Vol Radio Network in 1999, Kesling has been the play-by-play voice for Tennessee football and basketball across the 60-plus stations that make up the Vol Radio Network, one of the largest networks in collegiate sports. He also hosts “Vol Calls,” a weekly coaches’ call-in radio show, and the “Big Orange Hotline” during the football season. Additionally, he hosts “The Josh Heupel Show” and “The Rick Barnes Show” on the Vol Television Network.
Kesling began his association with the University of Tennessee as a walk-on fullback on the 1972 freshman football team. His broadcasting career started in 1974 when he worked as a film editor for the “Bill Battle Show” on the Vol Television Network while still a student.
In 1976, Kesling became the spotter for John Ward on Vol Network radio broadcasts, sitting beside the legendary “Voice of the Vols” for 15 seasons and handling pre-game, halftime, and post-game interviews.
He also has a long history with the Lady Vols basketball team, serving as the radio play-by-play voice from 1978 to 1999 and calling Pat Summitt’s first six NCAA National Championships.
WIVK Radio in Knoxville appointed Kesling as its Sports Director in 1976. In 1980, he was named Sports Director at WBIR-TV in Knoxville, where he anchored the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. news.
During his tenure at WBIR-TV, Kesling also worked for Jefferson-Pilot Sports on its SEC Television package. He served as pre-game host and play-by-play announcer for the basketball network in 1989 and joined the football broadcasts as a sideline reporter and play-by-play announcer in 1992. Kesling remained with WBIR and Jefferson-Pilot Sports until accepting the Vol Network position in 1999. Throughout his extensive broadcasting career, he has been a long-time member of the SEC Radio Network. He has also broadcast various sporting events for CBS/Westwood One Radio, FOX Sports, FOX SportSouth, and the SEC Network. Additionally, he called games for the Knoxville Cherokees hockey team, the Knoxville Blue Jays baseball team, and the Nashville Sounds baseball team.
Active in the community, Kesling serves on the boards of directors for Goodwill, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame. He was also the 2013 United Way Campaign Chairperson. He was inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Tennessee Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame in 2020. A 1977 graduate of Tennessee, Kesling and his wife, Tami, have two daughters, Allison and Melissa.
Knoxville Police receiving several reports of scam callers using the names of KPD officers to pressure victims into giving them money.
KPD says callers often identify themselves as law enforcement officers or use the names of actual officers and use spoofed phone numbers to both disguise their real number and make it appear as if they are actually calling from a local law enforcement agency.
Officials say scammers usually threaten or intimidate victims by demanding money for bond or in lieu of an arrest with the goal of scaring victims into paying sometimes requesting gift cards or cryptocurrency.
KPD officials reminding residents that law enforcement will never call to request money or ask for financial information. Please call KPD, if you receive one of these calls.
The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined Appalachian Electric after one of its linemen died on the job.
Nathan Potter died on July 23 after being electrocuted on a job site in Grainger County. He had been a lineman for more than a decade and was with Appalachian Electric for six years.
TOSHA says he was in a bucket truck tightening bolts on the framing of a transporter when he came into contact with a energized switch which was not insulated at the time of the incident.
TOSHA cited Appalachian Electric and fined the company $8,000.
Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating a car chase that ends in a deadly crash.
Campbell County Sheriff’s Office Deputies tried to pull over a car in the Valley View community yesterday afternoon (Wednesday), but the driver, identified by THP as 25-year-old Cassie Miller, didn’t stop and fled from police.
Miller then led deputies on a chase that ended in a crash on Howard Road in LaFollette when she tried to take a curve but ran off the road and struck a tree.
Troopers said Miller was fatally injured. A passenger, a 55-year-old man, was also injured in the crash.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee softball team will hold a home run derby on Friday, Nov. 8 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium and honor one of its “Legends of the Game” Lauren Gibson as a part of its homecoming festivities.
The event is slated to begin at 6:00 p.m. ET and will be open to the public free of charge. The derby will be contested over three rounds, featuring a field of 15 players. Seven Lady Vol alumni will also participate in a two-round home run derby.
Gibson – a three-time first-team All-American and the 2013 SEC Player of the Year – will be honored between the team and alumni home run derby. A native of Pasadena, Maryland, Gibson arrived on Rocky Top in the fall of 2009. Over the next four seasons, she established herself as one of the program’s all-time greats.
She played a pivotal role in leading the Lady Vols to the 2013 Women’s College World Series, earning a spot on the WCWS All-Tournament Team.
Throughout her collegiate career, she showcased her skills as a second baseman – posting an impressive .401 batting average during her senior year along with 19 home runs and 68 RBIs that earned her SEC Player of the Year.
Her achievements extend beyond college, as she has represented the United States on the international stage, claiming gold medals at the World Cup of Softball and the Pan American Games, where she recorded an outstanding .529 batting average. With numerous accolades, including NFCA First Team All-American honors and multiple selections to All-SEC teams, Gibson has solidified her legacy as a Lady Vol great.
Gates will open one hour before first pitch. Restrooms will be open, but concessions will not be available for fall softball events. Fans will be allowed to bring in their own food and non-alcoholic beverages.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Tennessee defensive back Will Brooks was named a 2024 Burlsworth Trophy nominee on Tuesday afternoon.
The trophy is in its 15th year of existence and is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. It is awarded to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.
Brooks, a redshirt senior who has spent his entire collegiate career at UT, is in the midst of a breakout season. He has started all eight games at safety this year while leading the Vols with three interceptions and ranking second on the team with 37 tackles. His seven passes defended also rank second on the team.
Brooks’ coverage grade of 84.8 according to PFF is the fifth highest in the SEC and tied for 18th best in the FBS among safeties with at least 150 coverage snaps.
The Alabama native recorded interceptions in back-to-back SEC games against No. 7 Alabama and Kentucky after returning his first-career interception 85 yards for a touchdown in a win over NC State earlier this season. His pick against the Crimson Tide on their final offensive play sealed the victory for Tennessee in its Third Saturday in October rivalry game. Brooks leads the SEC and ranks second in the nation with 152 interception return yards this season.
The list of 78 candidates will be narrowed down as the semifinalists are slated to be announced on Nov. 12 before three finalists will be named on Nov. 19.
The Burlsworth Trophy Award Show to honor the three finalists and announce the 2024 winner will be held on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. ET at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
For more information about the Burlsworth Trophy and this year’s nominees, click HERE.
A registered sex offender is taken into custody after entering an elementary school.
Anderson County Schools officials say a person on the registry entered Lake City Elementary School on Friday.
Security protocols, including a mandatory background check for all visitors, the school district said, immediately flagged the person and police responded.
“Thanks to the swift, professional response from both the Rocky Top Police Department and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the individual was safely taken into custody without incident, underscoring the dedication of all involved to keeping our schools safe,” ACS said.
District officials say no students, staff or faculty members were at risk.
“We are truly blessed to live in a community where our law enforcement partners work hand-in-hand with our schools to ensure the highest level of safety and security for our children and employees,” the district said.
Nashville, TN (WOKI) The dust from the election still settling, two of Tennessee’s top lawmakers are pushing forward another bill aimed at establishing a private school voucher program in the state.
Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and House Majority Leader William Lamberth Wednesday introduced the Education Freedom Act of 2025.
The numbers in this latest proposal are largely the same as the measure which failed last session: the bill promises 20,000 $7,000 scholarships to students who attend a private school in Tennessee, awarded based (mostly) on their family’s income.
Under the bill, 10,000 scholarships would go first to families who make less than 300% of the amount required by the state for a student to qualify for free or reduced lunch. The remaining half of the scholarships would go to any student who qualifies, regardless of income.
Among the changes this time around is language claiming that public school funding wouldn’t be affected by the voucher program and state testing for private school students who get a scholarship.
Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and House Majority Leader William Lamberth attached themselves to the bill, introducing it as the Education Freedom Act of 2025.
