Courtesy of the Roanoke Times

Mike Burnop (left) congratulating long time friend and legendary Virginia Tech Football announcer Bill
Roth (right) on his last broadcast as a Hokie.

AND WERE LIVE

The story of Virginia Techs voice of the Hokies: Bill Roth, his highs,
his lows and everything in between that brought him back to the place he
calls home.

By Nicole Verdin
For 27 years, Bill Roths voice filled the
homes of thousands of Virginia Tech fans
across the nation. He was the moral support
for the Hokies when the tough times
offering commentary that would assist in the
sting of a loss. He rejoiced with them on
their best days, and cried with them on their
worst. The work of being a sportscaster goes
beyond the voice in the living room or the
face on the television and Roth was able to
give an insight on what being a sportscaster
really means. There are hundreds of people
behind a sporting events, and Roth was one
of those people.
From introducing former Virginia Tech
Head Football Coach Frank Beamer and
watching a team rise up from nothing in the
80s to enjoying life at the National
Championship in Miami during the late 90s,
tell it to all. While he is heard as the voice of
the Hokies, he sees himself as a story teller.
One that has told one of the greatest stories
in the History of Virginia.
The most fascinating part about being a
sportscaster is that they are able to see the
stories that can change lives he says.
Watching the players during a game is one
thing, to tell their stats but to tell their story
is another and that is how Roth has
channeled his talents by making the athlete
come to life he says. There is no normal
day with this job title and every moment
counts for something more because sports
and the media are constantly changing.
After a fulfilling career at Virginia Tech, an
opportunity game knocking on Roths door -
one that would take him 3,000 miles away
from his home. During the 2015-2016
season, he became a Bruin and announced
for University of California Los Angles; a
decision he claims is his biggest regret.
While he thought a change of scenery would
be a good idea, Roth decided a few months
into his new job that he was an east coast
guy.
What hequickly came to realize was that you
can take the man out of Blacksburg but you
can never take Blacksburg out of the man.
I owe everything I have to this place, Roth
said as he stares out of the window at the
Virginia Tech Student Center. To him, his
place of work was more than just a desk
where he made a name for himself. Instead
it was a way of life that changed his forever.
In August 2016, Roth returned home to
Blacksburg Va, but this time in a new role as
a professor.
approaching a press conference.
NV:
Could you describe a typical workday
as a sportscaster?
BR: No day is typical because your work
space changes. Sometimes youre at home
and sometimes youre on the road. Your
office could be an airport, plane, press room,
hotel room or desk. That is the best part about
this type of job, your environment is
constantly changing. You are always
preparing by watching previous games to get
ready for the upcoming match and even
keeping up with what is going on in pop
culture to use in your cast.
NV: What type of work environment do
you work best in?
BR: My favorite place to do football other
than Lane [Stadium] is Miami at the Orange
Bowl because I like palm trees. Basketball
games are the best in New York at Madison
Square Garden. Both are historic venues and
had games where we had a lot on the line.
NV: Who do you look up to?
BR: Bob Costas, Ben Scully, Brent
Bustburger and of course Jack Fleming. To
me they are the best in the business. They all
had brilliant careers and regardless of their
status today continue to influence media in
their respective areas.
NV: Would you say you model yourself
after them?
BR: No, because you cant do that in this
industry. However, you do learn a little from
them. It like is like observing singers. Many
have a style that is similar, and you get bits
and pieces from others you have seen. It is
not uncommon to ask yourself how would
so and so handle this when casting or
NV: Who is the most fascinating person
you have met through your job?
BR: Rayna Dubose, she was on the [Virginia
Tech] womens basketball team in the late
90s early 2000s. She was the definition of
fun loving and a phenomenal player. Her
sophomore year, I believe, she came down
with viral meningitis and was sent to
University of Virginia Health System. She
ended up having to get both arms and legs
amputated and fitted for prosthetics. What I
loved most about her was that it never
affected her personality and passion. While
she never played again, she ended up back
on the court to practice with the girls and
shot a bit. In fact, she is my all-time favorite
Tech athlete.
NV: Who was your favorite person to
work with on the coaching staff?
BR: They are all truly great guys but I
worked with Beamer for 27 years. I talked
with him more than any other grown man in
my life besides my dad between all of the
interviews, talk show, pre- game, post-game.
We have a special connection and he is an
incredible man.
NV: How would you compare the Fuente
era to the Beamer era?
BR: Well you cant really compare it yet.
One guy was here for 28 years and other has
been here for 15 months. However, [Fuente]
is perfect guy to replace Beamer and it has
been an awesome transition. They have both
handled it with grace and humility. Beamer
was the perfect fit for Tech.
NV: What in your opinion made Beamer
the perfect fit for Tech?
BR: Frank was a perfect fit when we were
losing and turned the game around, he was a
perfect fit for when there was a shooting and
the community needed to be lead through
and calmed, and he was perfect fit for when
we win and are humble. It is really special
for anyone to have that charisma, let alone a
coach.
NV: Do you have an experience you
gained from this job that has shaped your
life or your future and what opportunities
have you gained from this job?
BR: Everything about this job cumulatively
affected me. At the end of the day it has
taught me and everyone in sports that its all
about the relationships. As a sports caster
thats the relationship you build with the
players, fans and coaches but to put it in
perspective your favorite professor might
not be the best of all time but its one you
have a connection with. This job has taught
me about all cultures, and that we are
Hokies. It shaped my values and what is
important in my life. All I have is because of
this school and this job, my friends, this
community and this state. Now, I get to pay
it forward by working with students by
creating fun, innovative and exciting classes.
NV: Before you go I have to know, how
did you come up with your phrase So
long from Blacksburg?
BR: Well actually during the night game, I
say Goodnight Blacksburg.
There was this great broadcaster named Dan
Kelly, for the St Louis Blues. He always
ended with Good Night from Saint Louis.
It became a joke in high school, when we
would want to get out of a situation we
would say Goodnight from Saint Louis. It
always stuck with me and I thought it was a
good ending that has a personal twist to it.