Courtesy Tennessee Journalist

(January 26, 2010) Growing up, Roger Hoover loved the Chicago Cubs. Whenever he got the chance, he would watch his favorite team on TV and listen to the famous Harry Caray call the game. After only a few games he fell in love with the legendary broadcaster and knew exactly what he wanted to do when he grew up.

Today, Hoover is a sports journalism major at the University of Tennessee. When he arrived on campus he jumped right in and got involved in whatever he could. In his first year, he began helping out with the live streaming of Lady Vols events for the athletic department. This was something he knew he had to do in order to advance his career and wound up enjoying it along the way.

"I've done volleyball and soccer for four years now," Hoover said. "It's been a real treat to get that experience, and it's been a lot of fun."

Then in the summer of 2008, Hoover got his first big break. A New York Mets rookie league team, the Kingsport Mets, hired him to be their play-by-play broadcaster for the season. He was their first full time broadcaster and loved every minute of it.

There've been a lot of late nights and a lot of early mornings, so I've definitely been sleep deprived and developed a good caffeine dependency. Roger Hoover
Hoover's job in Kingsport only lasted one season because he landed a job at a higher level. In 2009, he began working with the Tennessee Smokies, as a broadcast assistant on their radio network. His job with the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs was a major step in the right direction for Hoover.

Some of his responsibilities included getting all the game notes ready for each broadcast, as well as preparing everything for the opposing teams broadcasters. However, not everything he did was behind the scenes.

"I was the studio host for the pre-game and post-game shows, so that was pretty cool," Hoover said. "It's just so rewarding, because you're constantly around the sport you love."

As a junior, Hoover was named one of the Top 20 student broadcasters in America, according to the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America All-America Program. The program recognizes the most outstanding collegiate radio sportscasters in the country. Interested to see how he stacked up against the competition, Hoover decided to submit some of his work.

"My goal was just to make to Top 20 and I debuted at eight," Hoover said. "It was really nice and awards are great to have, but it still doesn't make you a great broadcaster. It was just nice to be honored for the work I'm doing as a student."

Now a senior, Hoover has been able to excel in his field of work while also maintaining high academic achievement at Tennessee. He'll be the first to tell you, however, it wasn't easy.

"It was pretty hard, I won't lie," Hoover said. "There've been a lot of late nights and a lot of early mornings, so I've definitely been sleep deprived and developed a good caffeine dependency."

As for life after college, he plans to stay with the Smokies for one more season. After that, he understands the process takes time and he won't get to where he wants to be over night.

"Unless your last name is Buck or Caray, there's really no way to get to the major leagues in your 20s, other than going up through the minors," Hoover said.

Wherever he ends up one thing is for sure, Hoover will be more than prepared for whatever they throw at him. If all goes well he could be the next great name immortalized in broadcasting history.

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