Andrew Pace
The University of Kansas Men's Basketball team has had several notable announcers over the years, including Brian Hanni, Kevin Kugler, and Chris Piper. Brian Hanni, also known as the Voice of the Jayhawks, has been calling Kansas men's basketball games on the radio for several seasons and is well-respected in his field. Kevin Kugler of Westwood One has also made a name for himself, providing exciting calls of the Jayhawks' historic victories. Additionally, Chris Piper joined the Jayhawk Radio Network as the Men's Basketball Analyst, working alongside play-by-play announcer Bob Davis. Other notable mentions include Brian Sieman, Tom Hedrick, and Kevin Harlan, who have all contributed to the rich history of broadcasting for the Jayhawks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Brian Hanni |
| Role | Voice of the Jayhawks, Jayhawk Sports Network |
| Description | Hanni is in his sixth season calling Kansas men's basketball games on the radio. He is an award-winning play-by-play announcer, show host, and co-host. |
| Education | University of Kansas |
| Previous Experience | Hanni started in sports broadcasting as a freshman at the University of Kansas. He has previously worked with ESPN Radio, NBC Sports Group, and other radio and TV networks. |
| Notable Quotes | "I've always felt I've had the gift of gab...I was always the talkative kid, very descriptive and somewhat outgoing." |
| Other Voices of the Jayhawks | Kevin Harlan, Brian Sieman, Tom Hedrick |
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What You'll Learn
Brian Hanni, the current Voice of the Jayhawks
Brian Hanni is the current "Voice of the Jayhawks", a role he has held for over five years. Hanni is a broadcaster and play-by-play announcer for the University of Kansas, his alma mater, covering men's basketball, football, and baseball games. He has also worked with Jayhawk IMG Sports Marketing.
Hanni's journey to becoming the "Voice of the Jayhawks" began when he enrolled in a play-by-play announcing course taught by the former "Voice of the Jayhawks", Tom Hedrick. Hanni's passion for broadcasting was ignited during this course, and he went on to hold several roles at KU before landing his dream job in 2016.
As the "Voice of the Jayhawks", Hanni takes great pride in his work and savors the opportunity to represent the Jayhawk brand. He values the interpersonal relationships he has built during his time in the role and appreciates the global reach of the Jayhawk brand that has allowed him to contribute to various causes.
Hanni's preparation for each basketball game is extensive. The day before a game, he spends four to five hours putting together spot charts for opposing teams, which include relevant facts, statistics, and other interesting information. Before every Kansas men's basketball game, he takes a symbolic lap around the concourse of Allen Fieldhouse, saying a prayer as he walks.
Hanni's skills as a broadcaster and announcer are widely recognized. He has been described as making his interview subjects feel like guests, allowing him to conduct fun and insightful interviews. Hanni's impressive body of work includes roles as a sports talk show host, play-by-play announcer for various radio, TV, and digital platforms, and an award-winning play-by-play announcer for ESPN Radio.
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Kevin Harlan, a former Jayhawks announcer
Kevin Robert Harlan is a renowned American television and radio sports announcer with an impressive career spanning several decades. Born on June 21, 1960, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Harlan's journey in broadcasting began at a young age. As a teenager, he called play-by-play for his high school's basketball, football, and ice hockey teams at Our Lady of Premontre High School's radio station, WGBP-FM. Following high school, Harlan attended the University of Kansas, where he majored in broadcast journalism and began his career as a sports announcer.
Harlan's early experiences as a ball boy for the Green Bay Packers and his connection with the team through his father, Bob Harlan, who served as the team's President and CEO, likely influenced his passion for sports. During his time at the University of Kansas, Harlan served as a basketball announcer, gaining experience and honing his skills. This opportunity set the foundation for his illustrious career in sports broadcasting.
In 1982, just a year after graduating from college, Harlan landed his first major role as the TV and radio voice of the NBA's Kansas City Kings (now the Sacramento Kings). This marked the beginning of a successful career in sports announcing. Over the years, Harlan has worked with prominent networks and covered a diverse range of sports, including NFL, NBA, and college basketball. He has been associated with CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and Turner Sports, showcasing his versatility and expertise.
One of Harlan's notable contributions was his work with Westwood One Radio, where he was the voice of their Final Four coverage of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament until 2008. He then became their lead announcer for Monday Night Football in 2009, broadcasting Super Bowl XLV, his first of many consecutive Super Bowls. Harlan's extensive experience and impact in the field have earned him recognition, including being voted National Sportscaster of the Year by his peers on multiple occasions.
Kevin Harlan's journey from a high school announcer to a prominent sports broadcasting figure is a testament to his talent and dedication. His association with the University of Kansas Jayhawks as their announcer during the early stages of his career holds a special significance, and his subsequent success showcases the impact of such formative experiences.
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Tom Hedrick, a former Jayhawks announcer and KU broadcasting teacher
Hedrick's mentees include Kevin Harlan, a renowned American television and radio sports announcer. Harlan, who attended the University of Kansas, credits Hedrick for his success. He recalls Hedrick's promise to involve him in broadcasting roles at KU, which helped launch his career. Harlan has gone on to have a distinguished career, broadcasting for the NBA, NFL, and college basketball on prominent networks such as CBS and Prime Video.
Another one of Hedrick's notable students is Brian Sieman, the radio Voice of the Los Angeles Clippers. Sieman attributes his success to Hedrick's teachings, emphasizing the importance of treating every job with gratitude and professionalism. Hedrick's influence extended beyond the technical aspects of broadcasting, as he instilled valuable life lessons in his students.
In addition to Harlan and Sieman, Hedrick has mentored several other talented announcers, including Nate Bukaty, Brian Hanni, and many others. Hedrick's impact on the field of sports broadcasting is evident through the success of his mentees and the lasting impression he has left on the industry.
Tom Hedrick's legacy as a broadcasting professor and mentor is a testament to his dedication to the craft and his ability to inspire and nurture the next generation of sports announcers. His influence continues to shape the way sports stories are told and experienced by fans around the world.
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Brian Sieman, the current radio Voice of the Clippers
Brian Sieman is the current television voice of the Clippers, succeeding the Hall of Famer Ralph Lawler in the play-by-play role. Sieman was the radio voice of the Clippers from 2007 until 2019, when he moved to television.
Sieman's transition from radio to television was not an easy one. He had to unlearn certain habits, most notably when to talk and when to stay silent. He told The Athletic that he "almost had to learn to stop talking". Sieman also had to get used to having a colour commentator, a role he had played himself on radio.
Sieman's new role is a dream come true for him. He moved to Los Angeles in 2007, passing on a chance to re-sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves, to become the radio voice of the Clippers. He believed that he was "the luckiest guy on the planet" to be an NBA play-by-play announcer on television.
Sieman's talent was recognised early on by Lawler, who considered him a protégé. Sieman's first thoughts upon hearing the news of his promotion were of relief and excitement, and he looked forward to being with the Clippers organisation for a long time. He believed that the Clippers were a well-run organisation and was excited to be a part of it.
Sieman's work ethic is admirable. After each game, he rewatches the broadcast, reviewing and critiquing his performance. This routine has helped him improve and smoothen his transition to television.
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Westwood One's Kevin Kugler, a Jayhawks announcer
Kevin Kugler is an American sportscaster who works in both radio and television. Kugler is currently employed by Fox Sports for NFL, college basketball, MLB, and UFL games. Kugler is based in Omaha, Nebraska, where he hosted a daily sports talk show on KOZN until 2012. He has worked for Westwood One's sports broadcasting arm since 2004. He is the play-by-play voice of Sunday Night Football on Westwood One. Kugler is also the lead play-by-play announcer for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and has called the Final Four for the network since 2008. He has also covered five consecutive Olympic Games for the network. Kugler does play-by-play events for the Big Ten Network and Fox Sports 1 and is a nine-time winner of the Nebraska Sportscaster of the Year Award. Kugler's role with Fox expanded just before the 2020 season, as he was promoted to regular play-by-play announcer. He continued to make appearances on college basketball broadcasts and fill in on select MLB games.
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Frequently asked questions
Brian Hanni is the new Jayhawk basketball announcer, also known as the "Voice of the Jayhawks".
Brian Hanni is the play-by-play announcer for the Jayhawks.
Brian Hanni has had experience as a sports talk show host and play-by-play announcer for various radio, TV, and digital platforms. He has worked with ESPN Radio, NBC Sports Group, and more.
Tom Hedrick was the former "Voice of the Jayhawks" announcer.
Brian Hanni expressed his gratitude and excitement about landing his dream job as the Voice of the Jayhawks. He shared that he felt an "overwhelming sense of gratitude, relief, and excitement" when he received the news.
