Alan York, the former voice of the Mount Airy Bears, has accepted a job at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., as the radio play-by-play broadcaster for the school’s football and men’s basketball programs.

York has been an assistant production manager with ISP Sports for the past 12 years and has been the lead broadcaster for the ACC National Game of the Week in football as well as broadcasting many Wake Forest men’s and women’s basketball games.

York was the voice of the High Point University men’s and women’s basketball teams from 2001-2006 and the director of broadcasting/media relations for the Winston-Salem Warthogs (now Dash) minor-league baseball team.

Serving in both of those roles gave York a first-hand look at the city of Lynchburg. High Point played Liberty in Big South conference games, and the Warthogs traveled there several times each season for Carolina League games.

“When I was up there calling those games, I really became very familiar with the school, the city, and its surroundings,” York said. “Sitting in that gym and watching warm-ups, I really did envision that one day I could see myself working there. So when I was told about the position, I jumped on it.”

York will succeed Jerry Edwards, who held the position for 29 years before retiring in the spring.

“Jerry is a legend up there that really set the bar high as far as excellence in sports broadcasting,” York said of his predecessor. “It will be a lot of fun to follow him, and also very challenging. I’m fortunate that the school and the community have really embraced me so far, and it’s really a great marriage right now.”

York beamed about the facilities at Liberty and the recent run of success of the football team, which has won three straight conference titles. The men’s and women’s basketball programs have also produced great teams in recent years.

“It’s an exciting time to be a Liberty Flame,” York said. “It’s a school that was founded because of a mutual love of Jesus Christ, and I’ll be surrounded by people with similar goals and values as I have, and that is very important to me.”

York, who graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1996, was a standout football and baseball player for the Bears.

He went on to play both sports at Guilford College before graduating in 1999 with a B.S. in sports management. While at Guilford, he served as the public address announcer for home basketball and volleyball games.

But the chance to come home and call football games for the Bears when he as starting out was an opportunity he’ll always cherish.

“I’d be remised if I didn’t say a big ‘thank you’ to Kelly Epperson of WSYD and WPAQ for giving me a chance when I really had no idea what I was doing,” York said. “It was such a thrill for me to be able to sit up in the press box of my alma mater and do something I love doing. Although I got out just before their recent run of success, I was still following the action and always will.”

York will officially begin his new duties on Monday. He’s a little bittersweet about leaving the area, but excited about what lies ahead.

“I’m living proof that doing all the little things and working hard help you in life,” York said. “I’m pretty fortunate to be getting this opportunity.”