July 11, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Athletics Department, in conjunction with its media rights holder, Learfield/ISP Sports, is pleased to announce that Mike Morgan has been named the new play-by-play announcer for the Gamecock men’s basketball team. Morgan, the voice of the women’s basketball team last season, will also host the Dave Odom call-in show and the weekly television show.

“It’s hard for the game of basketball to not be exciting, therefore it’s hard not to be excited about calling the action, especially in a premiere conference such as the SEC,” commented Mike Morgan. “I’ll have fun calling the games and I want the listeners to have fun listening to them.”

Morgan has served as the play-by-play announcer for the Gamecock baseball team for the past four years and will continue in that capacity. During that time, Morgan had the opportunity to call the College World Series Championship game in 2002. He has also called several games for CSS television for both baseball and men’s and women’s basketball.

“Just like baseball, people will have no doubt who I’m calling the games for,” stated Morgan. “It’s hard for me not to get excited when Carolina is doing well. By the same token, they will get an honest, knowledgeable and credible account of what is going on.”

Prior to working with the Carolina baseball and basketball programs, Morgan was the voice of the Columbus Red Stixx (1995-97), a single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. While in Columbus, Ga., he also called high school football games across western Georgia and Eastern Alabama and hosted a daily sports talk show.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Morgan as the play-by-play voice of the men’s basketball team,” stated Liz McMillian, General Manager of Gamecock Sports Properties. “Mike has done an outstanding job for several years working with the Gamecock Radio Network. He is well received by our fans through the calling of the Carolina baseball and women’s basketball games. He brings a genuine enthusiasm to the microphone and we believe he has an outstanding future as a play-by-play talent. We feel Mike will provide fans with exceptional descriptions and accounts of South Carolina men’s basketball.”

A search has begun to fill the women’s basketball play-by-play position and host for the Susan Walvius television show.