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FOX SPORTS FINALIZES BCS BROADCAST TEAMS
Hall of Fame Analysts Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long Join
Kenny Albert for Jan. 3rd ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL
Veteran Analysts Pat Haden, Terry Donahue and Play-by-Play
Announcer Matt Vasgersian Call FEDEX ORANGE BOWL on Jan. 2nd
In many parts of the country, November�s crisp winds and fallen leaves mean only one thing: college football�s fight for the National Championship is coming to a boil. As the nation�s No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams brace for a fierce regular season confrontation this weekend, FOX Sports announces its upcoming and highly-anticipated Bowl Championship Series broadcast teams. The announcement was made today by Ed Goren, President and Executive Producer of FOX Sports.
FOX NFL SUNDAY teammates Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long, both former college football standouts before embarking on Hall of Fame professional careers, enter the game booth together for the first time to call the ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL, live from the Superdome in New Orleans on Wednesday, Jan. 3 (7:30 PM ET).
The ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL marks Long�s first-ever assignment as a game analyst, while Bradshaw enters the booth for the first time in a traditional setting since working for CBS in 1989. Bradshaw and Long work alongside seasoned FOX Sports play-by-play announcer Kenny Albert. Reporting from the sidelines is Jeanne Zelasko, host of the Emmy Award-winning MLB on FOX pregame show and NASCAR on FOX pit reporter. Producer Pete Macheska and director Sandy Grossman steward the broadcast from the production truck.
�Over the course of their 13 years together, Terry and Howie have established an on-air chemistry that is unmatched in this business,� said Goren. �Add to that their passion and knowledge of college football, and we�re set for the same entertaining and insightful brand of analysis that we see from them on Sundays.�
On Tuesday, Jan. 2 (7:30 PM ET), former UCLA head coach and San Francisco 49ers general manager Terry Donahue joins former USC and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Pat Haden for the FEDEX ORANGE BOWL, live from Dolphin Stadium in Miami.
Donahue is currently calling NFL on FOX regular season broadcasts, while Haden handles analyst duties for NBC�s coverage of top-ranked Notre Dame. Prior to joining NBC, Haden analyzed college football action for TNT and CBS. Donahue and Haden are accompanied in the booth by talented play-by-play announcer Matt Vasgersian, who has been calling NFL and MLB on FOX games this season. Handling sideline reporting for the FEDEX ORANGE BOWL is FSN�s pro and college football reporter Laura Okmin. Jeff Gowen produces and Emmy Award-winner Bill Webb directs.
FOX Sports� lead BCS broadcast team has also added its final appointment as Emmy Award-winning reporter Chris Myers joins accomplished play-by-play announcer Thom Brennaman and lead analysts Barry Alvarez and Charles Davis for the TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL on Monday, Jan. 1 (8:00 PM ET) and the TOSTITOS BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME on Monday, Jan. 8 (7:30 PM ET). Producer Mike Burks and director Rich Russo lead the production team.
As previously announced, former University of Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson teams with FSN�s Chris Rose to anchor each BCS on FOX contest�s pregame, halftime and postgame coverage. It is planned for the two to be joined on set by one or two collegiate coaches, whose teams do not qualify for a BCS game this season.
�College football�s premier events are in very good hands with this unique and very capable roster of broadcasters and production personnel,� said Goren. �FOX Sports could not be more excited to launch our BCS coverage, and like the fans, we�re counting down the days to January.�
On Sunday, Dec. 3 (8:00 PM ET), FOX Sports officially kicks-off the month-long BCS season when it presents the ALLSTATE BCS SELECTION SHOW. The match-ups for this season�s BCS games are being unveiled for the first time ever on national prime time television during this special half-hour program. Further details are available in a separate news release issued today.
In November 2004, FOX Sports and the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) reached an exclusive four-year agreement covering all media distribution and sponsorship rights for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, FedEx Orange Bowl and Allstate Sugar Bowl from 2007 through 2010, as well as the new Tostitos BCS National Championship Game from 2007 through 2009. In addition, FOX Sports also continues as the exclusive broadcast home to the prestigious Cotton Bowl through 2010.
2007 BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SCHEDULE
Date Bowl Time TV
Jan. 1 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl 8:00 PM FOX
Jan. 2 FedEx Orange Bowl 7:30 PM FOX
Jan. 3 Allstate Sugar Bowl 7:30 PM FOX
Jan. 8 Tostitos BCS Nat. Champ. Game 7:30 PM FOX
* All times Eastern
2007 BCS ON FOX BROADCASTER INFORMATION
Thom Brennaman- The first broadcaster assigned by FOX Sports to work its BCS broadcasts, veteran play-by-play announcer Thom Brennaman anchors the lead broadcast team alongside analysts Barry Alvarez and Charles Davis. This broadcast trio handles the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1st, and the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 8th, both from Glendale, Arizona. Brennaman has served as play-by-play announcer for FOX Sports' coverage of the Cotton Bowl for the last seven consecutive years. This past October, Brennaman notched his sixth consecutive season calling Major League Baseball's Division Series and League Championship Series for FOX Sports. This followed regular season duties as play-by-play announcer for the Emmy Award-winning FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK, a franchise he has contributed to for over a decade. Brennaman's duties also include play-by-play announcer for the NFL on FOX.
Barry Alvarez- Former University of Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez joins FOX Sports� coverage of the BCS, working alongside Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis on the lead broadcast team. Alvarez retired with the school record for wins as head coach and was the architect of three Big Ten and Rose Bowl championship teams. He is also the only Big Ten coach in history to win consecutive Rose Bowls and is one of just two coaches (Ohio State's Woody Hayes is the other) to win the Rose Bowl three times. He led the Badgers to their three most-win seasons ever and compiled an impressive 108-70-4 overall record (8-3 in bowl games).
Charles Davis- Former University of Tennessee defensive back Charles Davis joins Thom Brennaman and Barry Alvarez to form the lead BCS on FOX broadcast booth. Currently in his fifth consecutive year as lead analyst for TBS' college football coverage of the Big 12 and Pac-10 conferences, Davis' other broadcasting assignments include sideline reporter for TNT's NBA playoffs and CBS' coverage of the NCAA basketball tournament.
Chris Myers- Versatile Emmy Award-winner Chris Myers serves as sideline reporter on the BCS on FOX lead broadcast team, handling the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1st, and the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 8th. One of the busiest broadcasters in sports, Myers hosts FOX Sports� NASCAR coverage and also contributes to the network�s NFL and MLB coverage, serving as reporter and occasional play-by-play announcer during regular and postseason contests. In addition, Myers hosts his own interview show on FSN, CMI: THE CHRIS MYERS INTERVIEW and hosts a weekday show on FOX Sports Radio.
Kenny Albert- Seasoned play-by-play announcer Kenny Albert joins FOX NFL SUNDAY teammates Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long to cover the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2nd. Currently working his 13th consecutive season in the NFL on FOX broadcast booth, Albert�s FOX Sports resume is vast and includes work as a play-by-play announcer for the network�s MLB coverage, five seasons of the NHL on FOX, as well as two years as host of the NTRA Champions on FOX thoroughbred series.
Terry Bradshaw- Terry Bradshaw, widely acknowledged as today's preeminent NFL studio personality, works alongside Howie Long and Kenny Albert for coverage of the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 3. Bradshaw's work on FOX NFL SUNDAY earned him Sports Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Sports Personality/Analyst category in 1999 and 2001. The first player chosen in the 1970 draft, Bradshaw became one of the most prolific quarterbacks in history, leading the Steelers to four Super Bowl championships, six AFC championship games and eight straight playoff appearances (1972-79). Bradshaw, a two-time Super Bowl MVP (Super Bowls XIII and XIV), was also a four-time All-Pro selection. He retired just prior to the 1984 season. In 1989, Bradshaw was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. A 1996 inductee to the College Football Hall of Fame, Bradshaw led Louisiana Tech University to a conference championship in his senior year. He was a first team Associated Press All-America as a senior in 1970. In both 1968 and 1969, he was named quarterback on the Football Coaches All-America and was Athlete of the Year in the Gulf States Conference.
Howie Long- Hall of Famer Howie Long joins Terry Bradshaw and Kenny Albert to call FOX Sports� coverage of the Allstate Sugar Bowl from New Orleans. Long took network sports television by storm in 1994 with his keen insights, thorough research and smooth delivery as an NFL studio analyst for FOX NFL SUNDAY. Long is now widely regarded as one of today's top NFL studio analysts, as evidenced by the Emmy Award he received in 1997 for his work as Outstanding Sports Personality/Analyst. He was the last active Raider to have played for the franchise when it was first based in Oakland. Long was named a defensive end on the NFL Team of the '80s, was voted by fans as the 1984 and 1986 Defensive Lineman of the Year and was named 1984 NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association. As defensive lineman at Villanova University, Long was a four-year letterman. He was All-East and honorable mention All-America as a senior. He was named MVP in the 1980 Blue-Gray Football Classic. Long graduated from Villanova in 1981 with a degree in communications.
Jeanne Zelasko- Experienced and versatile reporter Jeanne Zelasko joins Kenny Albert, Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long for FOX Sports� coverage of the Allstate Sugar Bowl, live from the New Orleans Superdome on January 3rd. Zelasko�s other FOX Sports duties include hosting the network�s Emmy Award-winning MLB on FOX pregame show and serving as a NASCAR on FOX pit reporter. Previously, Zelasko was an anchor on FSN�s National Sports Report, as well as a reporter on FOX NFL SUNDAY.
Matt Vasgersian- Talented NFL on FOX play-by-play announcer Matt Vasgersian anchors FOX Sports� coverage of the FedEx Orange Bowl on Jan. 2nd, accompanying analysts Terry Donahue and Pat Haden. Currently completing his first full season as an NFL on FOX play-by-play announcer, the versatile Vasgersian has spent the last five seasons as the San Diego Padres lead play-by-play man. Before joining FOX Sports, Vasgersian spent several years contributing to NBC Sports coverage, including the 2001 Gator Bowl, the XFL and various assignments for both the Athens and Torino Olympic Games.
Terry Donahue- Former UCLA head coach and San Francisco 49ers general manager Terry Donahue joins FOX Sports� coverage of the BCS, accompanying Matt Vasgersian and Pat Haden in the booth for the network�s coverage of the FedEx Orange Bowl on Jan. 2nd. Terry is currently working a slate of NFL on FOX games and previously spent three seasons as the lead analyst on college football broadcasts for CBS. As a UCLA walk-on, Donahue started two seasons (1965-66) at defensive tackle for the Bruins. After graduating, he left to become a defensive line coach at Kansas, then returned to UCLA where he eventually took over as head coach when Dick Vermeil left the Bruins to coach the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976.
Pat Haden- Former USC Trojan and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Pat Haden joins FOX Sports� Matt Vasgersian and Terry Donahue in the booth for the network�s coverage of the FedEx Orange Bowl on Jan. 2nd. Haden currently serves as an analyst for NBC�s coverage of Notre Dame football and previously covered both professional and college football action on TNT and CBS.
Laura Okmin- Experienced reporter Laura Okmin patrols the sidelines of Dolphin Stadium this Jan. 2nd for the FedEx Orange Bowl. Okmin added her FSN national duties in 2005 after serving as an anchor/reporter for FSN South (2002-2005) and Turner Sports (2002-2003). Okmin currently serves as host of FSN�s TOTALLY FOOTBALL and reporter for FSN�s PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW.
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