July 13, 2004
John Joe, better known to Baylor fans as J.J. and recognized as one of the school's all-time football greats, has been selected as the new color commentator on the Baylor Radio Network, Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations & Broadcast Properties Nick Joos and Director of Broadcasting John Morris announced today.
"This is a wonderful opportunity and I'm very excited to be a part of the Baylor broadcast team," Joe said. "Having the chance to once again spend Saturday afternoons getting ready for the game will be fun."
Joe, an Arlington, Texas, native who currently works as a Vice President-Client Manager for Bank of America in Dallas and resides in Hurst, Texas, replaces Walter Abercrombie, whose new duties as Baylor's Associate Athletic Director/Executive Director of the school's "B" Association will preclude him from being a part of the 2004 Baylor football broadcast team. Abercrombie, who spent four seasons on the network crew, will continue to be a part of the broadcasts by hosting a Baylor Legends segment during the pre-game show.
"J.J. Joe is one of Baylor's most-decorated student-athletes and we look forward to having him join our broadcast team this fall," Joos said. "We believe that he will add tremendous perspective to our broadcasts from the booth."
The Bears' leading passer for four consecutive years from 1990-93, Joe graduated as the school's all-time passing (5,995 yards) and total-offense (6,815 yards) leader. A three-time Academic All-America selection, he was tabbed as the quarterback on Baylor's 1990-99 All-Decade honor squad and earned All-Southwest Conference honors as a junior in 1992. Joe, who led the Bears to three winning records in four seasons and a pair of bowl appearances--the 1991 Copper Bowl and the 1992 John Hancock Sun Bowl, still holds 12 Baylor career or single-game records.
"J.J. was always very impressive as a student-athlete at Baylor handling media requests," said Morris. "I have complete confidence he'll handle this new role just as well and we're excited to have him as part of our team."
Other members of the 2004 Baylor football radio broadcast crew include Morris (entering his 18th season), sideline reporter Ricky Thompson (fifth season), executive producer Craig Harper (18th season) and engineer Bobby Reynolds (second season).
Baylor's 2004 game-day broadcasts begin with "Countdown to Kickoff, presented by State Farm," two hours prior to kickoff each Saturday. The "Fifth Quarter Call-in Show, presented by Alltel" follows the network sign-off on flagship station 1660 ESPN Radio in Waco.
Every play of Baylor Football 2004, as well as the pre-game and post-game shows, plus "Guy Talk" and the "State Farm Baylor SportsBeat" will be available worldwide on the internet at the official Baylor Athletic web site www.baylorbears.com.
