In 2001, I was an unpaid Intern at The Ticket 760 in San Antonio. I worked with Jay Howard for his afternoon sports talk show. I am not even sure how I landed that job. It’s very possible that I was referred to him by parents who knew him. At that point in my life, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I took this position to learn from the great Jay Howard. Obviously, I didn’t enjoy it enough to pursue it further.
I was a researcher and I remember continuously surfing the internet for something sports related. This was around the time when Bobby Knight was being considered for the head coaching position at Texas Tech. All the staff attended a meeting in the station manager’s office, Andrew Ashwood, and we had some heavy discussions about it. When it came for my input, I was like, yes, I would hire him immediately as he is a winner and his past public fits of rage don’t bother me at all.
Jay’s producer was Laura Green, and she is married to Joe Prunty, currently an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, but he served several years under Coach Pop in San Antonio.
How did you get the job with San Antonio Spurs?
When Sam Smith, the current radio guy for the San Antonio Spurs, left to go to the Miami Heat in there first season, it left an opening. I applied but was never interviewed for the position.
The following season, Spurs owner Red McCombs decided to have me named the team’s play- by-play guy. At that time, the team ended the radio/TV simulcast and I did the radio.
What was your career path before that?
I had done play-by-play however, most of my work was sportscasts and talk shows. However, play-by-play had always been my goal.
Talk about memorable games and players during your time with the Spurs?
It’s been awhile.
I would say all of the 1999 playoffs, with a major emphasis on game two against the Blazers and game five against the Knicks. I guess those are obvious.
David Robinson’s first NBA game and his 71 point game.
Tim Duncan’s first Spurs game and game two against the Suns in his first playoff series. I forget how many points he scored in a row. That’s when the world took note of what was to follow.
What was it like broadcasting the NBA Finals in 1999 between the Spurs and the New York Knicks?
A dream come true. I had always dreamed of broadcasting a championship series. Wrapping it up at MSG growing up in NY and being a Knicks fan was very special.
What NBA towns and arenas did you enjoy during your times with the Spurs?
You always like going places where you have friends, NY, LA, Chicago, Boston, Houston, Dallas, etc.
Being a foodie: Miami—Joe’s Stone Crab, Portland—Jake’s Famous Crawfish. Boston—many places for lobster & chowder. NYC—a deli. Chicago—Gene & Georgetti.
No matter the location—MSG, either Portland building. Chicago Stadium,
Did you ever have any embarrassing moments?
Never. I did plenty of games while under the weather but, nothing embarrassing.
