Aug. 17, 2005

Columbia, S.C. – – Andy Demetra, radio voice of the South Carolina women’s basketball team, was recognized as the 2005 Radio Sportscaster of the Year by the South Carolina Broadcasters Association at the organization’s annual banquet August 13 in Hilton Head.

To ensure objectivity in the contest, a panel of judges who are broadcast professionals from outside the state of South Carolina selected the 24-year-old Demetra as the state’s top sportscaster.

“”It’s a thrill to receive that kind of recognition, especially in a state laden with talented broadcasters,” Demetra said. “I’m proud I can bring this award back to Gamecock fans.”

“We are very proud of what Andy has accomplished and we’re happy that he has been recognized with an honor like this,” Carolina head women’s basketball coach Susan Walvius said. “He does his homework for each broadcast and does an excellent job of describing the action in an energetic and meaningful way. Andy has a bright future ahead of him.”

A 2002 graduate of Syracuse University, Demetra enters his third season with the Gamecocks. He partners with analyst Robin Muller on the Carolina women’s basketball broadcasts and also serves as a network studio host for ISP Sports in Winston-Salem, N.C. He filled in as the play-by-play announcer for a pair of Carolina men’s basketball games in 2005 against Auburn and Arkansas, respectively. In addition to his on-air work, Demetra also writes the popular weekly column “Beyond the Mic with Andy Demetra” during the season that documents some of the lighter moments around the Gamecock women’s basketball program.

“Andy is a team player and a true professional,” Liz McMillan, general manager of Gamecock Sports Properties, said. “He is wonderful to work with and has a bright future as demonstrated by him receiving this award.”