Young Voice of the Cougars shadows Voice of the Vols

“Try advertising” – My account taking in Bob Kesling’s last regular season game at Neyland Stadium

TOP PHOTO: WLAF’s Clayton Carroll was indeed in his element at Saturday’s Tennessee-UTEP football game, most notably soaking up his day in the Vol Network radio booth with Bob Kesling, Voice of the Vols.

By Clayton Carroll

KNOXVILLE, TN (WLAF)- When I walked into the WLAF studios bright and early Thursday morning, half asleep, the news I was given woke me up in an instant. That Saturday, I would have the incredible opportunity to be a part of a special moment in Tennessee Athletics –sitting in on Bob Kesling’s last regular season broadcast from the John Ward Broadcast Center.

After arriving at Gate 15A at 9am on Saturday, I picked up my press credentials and made my way to the fifth floor of the prestigious Tom Elam Press Box at Neyland Stadium. Entering the Vol Network booth was quite the experience. Yes, it was a great, unobstructed view of Shields Watkins Field, but the history of the network and Tennessee football was dripping off the walls. 

To think that I was in the same press box as two Tennessee broadcast legends, John Ward and the gentleman I would meet in a few moments, Bob Kesling, was just a surreal feeling. I was fascinated with the sprawling sheets of stats for both teams, and just the entire press area as a whole. The first individual I would meet was the chief engineer of the Vol Network and a good friend to WLAF, Tim Berry. Berry was more than gracious to take the time out of his busy game day prep to talk and even exchange a few corny golf jokes.

Another key to the broadcast I enjoyed observing was the production. On site producer and Chief Executive of the Vol Network Glenn Thackston had the production down to a T. From the right window of the press box, Thackston would pull cue cards and hand to the Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling to read for sponsors, general information, and taking the game to break.

Next, Mr. Kesling stepped in the press box for his final regular season home game. Kesling was gracious enough to, not only allow and arrange for me to shadow him all Saturday, but spend time and talk with me about my longing for a long and successful play-by-play career.

He asked me about my start to which I explained my love for sports and, when I turned 15, how I went to WLAF to ask to help around the radio station. That turned into doing basketball games and football games a year later.

He then asked, “Do you get good grades?” I replied “Yes, sir, I have a 4.0 GPA”. He then said, “Yeah…that’ll work.” I told him I recently received a 30 on my ACT as well and he responded…”Yeah that’ll work, too.”

Bob then showed me his spotter chart, which he said “looks like a train wreck.” He went on to say that the way he does his is unique to him, and mine will be unique to me. There’s no one set way to do it. 

After signing my press pass envelope and posing for a few pictures, the master got to work behind the mic. Watching him was like watching a machine which had run smoothly for nearly 30 years, 26 to be exact. Bob said, “you know 26 years is a long time to do anything…but I love it.”

After grabbing some barbecue and ice cream from the press area at halftime, I got to see Bob sign off for what could be his last ever home game in Neyland Stadium. Fortunately, it was a happy sign off as Tennessee defeated UTEP 56-0. After that, it’s not time to pack up and go home. Oh, no. 

Eagerly, Bob, along with one of his daughters, Melissa and son in-law, Jim, walked, as I followed them down the crowded concourses of the stadium to the Stokley Media Center. There I watched Coach Josh Heupel’s postgame radio interview with Bob as well as coach’s press conference and then the filming of the Josh Heupel Show.

Before my unforgettable day was complete, I asked Bob for tips on how I can have a successful broadcasting career. His humorous response was this. “I am going to give you the same advice John Ward gave me…Try advertising instead.” He told me how he handed a broadcast to Ward to listen to and critique, and that is where Ward gave Kesling the famous advertising line. 

After we shared a good laugh, Kesling said “Reps. Reps is the key.” He said do whatever games and as many games as you can, whether it be softball, croquet, or lacrosse. “Reps. That’s the key.”

We then shook hands, and my unforgettable day at Neyland Stadium was complete.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-11/26/2024-6AM)