KATV’s Kane to join UCA football radio team
From UCA Sports
Steve East, Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations
CONWAY – The University of Central Arkansas is losing one KATV voice and gaining another for the 2016 football season.
Steve Sullivan, the play-by-play voice for UCA football for the last nine years, has had to give up those duties due to added responsibilities at KATV Channel 7. Chris Kane, one of the co-hosts of KATV’s Daybreak show, will join Justin Acri in the radio booth for UCA football this fall.
Acri, the program director at 103.7 The Buzz and co-host of The Zone weekday show, will move to the play-by-play chair in 2016, with Kane taking over the color commentary duties in his first year with the Bears. Long-time UCA radio voice Monty Rowell will continue as sideline reporter for UCA football.
“Steve Sullivan is a true professional,’ said Dr. Brad Teague, UCA’s director of athletics. “He is well known in Arkansas and helped our program build our Division I brand as our voice for the past nine years. He will be greatly missed.
“But we lose a great personality and replace him with another great one. Chris Kane will step in quickly and working with Justin Acri, will continue our professional team of broadcasters. Our listeners can count on a great show from this broadcast team. I look forward to watching and hearing them work together.
“We thank Chris Kane for stepping up and stepping in to fill big shoes.’
Kane is a Little Rock native who moved to Jacksonville, FL when he was 10 years old. While in Florida, he attended Bishop Kenny High School and went on to graduate from the University of Central Florida with a radio/television degree.
Before moving to Daybreak, Kane was a weekend sports anchor alongside Sullivan at KATV. Although he joined the station officially in 2010, Kane completed three internships at KATV in the Sports Department. Kane has also served as guest host on several of the daytime shows on 103.7 The Buzz over the past few years.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the UCA football broadcast team,’ said Kane. “Since coming back to Arkansas, I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to the broadcast and it’s and honor to now be a part of it. I can’t wait to follow the Bears on their quest for a Southland Conference title and work alongside Justin and Monty for the 2016 season.’
Acri, who also hosts The Steve Campbell Radio Show live from The Draft in Conway on Monday nights, will be in his 10th season working with UCA football. He is also a former sportscaster at KATV prior to his move to radio.
“First off, I want to thank Sully for nine great years of broadcasting and celebrating Bear Football. We had so much fun together both at home and traveling to road games and have been so fortunate to call dozens of wins in our time together in the booth. I learned so much from Steve and I am eternally grateful for the experience and for what he taught me over the years.
“It is a cliché, but Chris Kane is a consummate professional in everything he does. His polished delivery is matched only by his diligent preparation and I think Bear fans will be thrilled with what he brings to the broadcast. I have been incredibly impressed by his growth and professionalism at KATV and have also seen him improve as a radio broadcaster on 103.7 The Buzz as he has filled in as a host over the last few years.
“I consider him not just a colleague, but a good friend, and he will be a great representative on and off the air for the Purple and Gray. He and I are both thrilled to begin the next chapter of Bear broadcasts from the booth.’
The Bears open the 2016 season Sept. 1 when they host Houston Baptist at First Security Field at Estes Stadium. UCA will play its first four games all within the state of Arkansas, hosting HBU, Samford and Northwestern State, and traveling to Jonesboro to take on Arkansas State.