Episode 82: Joe Gentry, Former Voice of the Butler Bulldogs Men's Basketball Team and Director of Sales at Butler University

Show Description:

Joe Gentry is the Director of Sales at Butler University and the former play-by-play voice for the Butler Bulldogs basketball team from 2006-2010.

In this interview, Joe describes his experience covering the basketball team during its 2010 National Championship title run. He also discusses his professional journey, beginning at the radio station in Lafayette and working his way up to calling games at Hinkle. He provides valuable advice to those building a career in broadcasting and announcing, and offers a unique glimpse into Butler University's process of reaching the national stage and garnering worldwide attention.

Show Highlights:

3:15-8:15: Joe talks about his journey working the radio station in Lafayette, serving as the student voice of Butler in the 80s, covering football and basketball in Richmond, and navigating his way back to Butler to become the official voice of Butler basketball.
8:15-30:45: Joe dives into his experience covering the Bulldogs during the school's legendary 2010 tournament run. He talks about sharing the Butler story over radio interviews, Brad Steven's impact on the team's mindset, and the process of seeing Butler on the national stage.
30:45-40:45: We ask Joe how play-by-play announcing has evolved over time, what a successful broadcast looks like, and what the preparation before every game entails.
40:45-53:15: Joe describes his role as Director of Sales at Butler University and what the transition looked like coming from the play-by-play announcer position. He also gets into the new updates at Hinkle Fieldhouse and the major changes for this year's sports viewing experience.
53:15: Joe provides his final advice to anybody who is embarking on a career in sports broadcasting.