Mike Parker Named Radio Play-by-Play Voice
May 28, 1999
Corvallis, Ore. - Mike Parker has been named the new "voice of the Beavers," it was announced Friday by Oregon State University Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart and Beaver Sports Properties General Manager Steve Gowan.
The 40-year-old Parker has a wide array of sports broadcasting experience, including working as play-by-play announcer for Oregon State baseball during the 1999 season.
"Im grateful to Mitch Barnhart and Beaver Sports Properties for helping me fulfill a lifelong dream," Parker said. "Ever since I was 9 years old Ive wanted to make my living calling football, basketball and baseball games. Becoming the voice of the Beavers is the greatest thing thats happened for me in my professional life."
Parkers experience includes working at KEX Radio in Portland from 1995-98, serving as host of the popular Sportsline and Trail Blazers Fifth Quarter shows. He also worked as a talk show host at KFXX Radio in Portland from 1990-95.
"Im genuinely excited to have Mike Parker join our Beaver family," Barnhart said. "His ability to call the action and his knowledge of the games will give Beaver fans insight for years to come. He was a tremendous asset for Oregon State University during the baseball season, and we now look forward to his full efforts servicing all facets of the program."
Parker, who has been a resident of Oregon for 25 years, began his broadcasting career in 1977 at KNND Radio in Cottage Grove, covering prep sports. He later was the play-by-play voice for Marshfield High School in Coos Bay, and the University of Oregon womens basketball program. The popular announcer has also called the action for the Eugene Emeralds baseball club, and the former Pacific Coast League franchise Portland Beavers.
"We are very excited to welcome Mike Parker to the Beaver Sports Properties team," Gowan said. "Mike possesses the skills to perform as a goodwill ambassador for Oregon State athletics and make a positive impact as we serve OSU constituents statewide and beyond."
Parker, who is married and has two children, is a 1982 graduate of the University of Oregon with a degree in rhetoric and communications.
"A friend told me recently there is no better town in America to raise kids than Corvallis," Parker added. "Were looking forward to finding that out for ourselves."
Parker is the fifth full-time announcer for Oregon State University football and mens basketball. He succeeds Darrell Aune, who resigned in February after 29 years behind the microphone.
Terms of Parkers contract were not disclosed by Beaver Sports Properties.
