Barrett Named Voice of the Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE -- It's official now. Chuck Barrett is the next "Voice of the Razorbacks."

The University of Arkansas issued a release Tuesday, mutually naming Barrett as the next football play-by-play announcer along with the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network.
Word leaked out late last week that the Arkansas athletic department and Little Rock TV station KATV, of which ARSN is a subsidiary, had agreed on Barrett.
The 44-year-old Clarksville native, the play-by-play voice of Arkansas baseball since 1992, said the announcement was a dream fulfilled.
"I'm humbled, if you want to know the truth," Barrett said Tuesday by phone. "For an Arkansan who has been in radio since he was 15 years old, this is it. To think that I'm going to have this chance is mind-boggling."
Arkansas Athletic Director Frank Broyles noted Barrett's relationship with the university and with Razorback fans in the statement.
"Chuck is a long-time member of the ARSN team and has broadcast Razorback athletics for more than 15 years," Broyles said. "He is well-known for his work on Razorback football and baseball broadcasts. He grew up in Arkansas and has an appreciation for the passion and enthusiasm of Razorback fans all over the state.
"We are excited that he will be expanding his role on the football broadcast."
Since 1995, Barrett has served as pregame and halftime host for the ARSN football broadcasts, as well as executive producer. He hasn't done football play-by-play since 1991, when he broadcasted high school games in Northwest Arkansas for schools such as Alma, Van Buren and Fort Smith Northside and Southside.
But throughout the ARSN broadcasts, Barrett admitted that he'd always find himself doing internal play-by-play.
"If you're a broadcaster, and you're in the booth as I've been for 13 years now, you're doing play-by-play in your head," Barrett said. "I'd be in there playing out every play in my mind."
Barrett's life will change substantially in the next year.
Most noticeably, he will not host the radio talk show Sports Rap past Friday.
"I've been wanting to move beyond just being a radio talk show host for a while," Barrett said. "I'm ready for a new challenge. I'm fine with the way it's ending."
Soon, Barrett will become a full-time university employee, although Arkansas Sports Information Director Kevin Trainor said contract arrangements have not been finalized.
Barrett, in his new capacity, will take on a plethora of other duties. Hosting the Houston Nutt TV Show is among them, as well as doing work for the university's athletic Web site. Plus, Barrett will continue to broadcast Arkansas baseball games.
As for the controversy surrounding his selection -- KATV and some fans wanted KATV news anchor Scott Inman -- Barrett said he hoped his work would convince those who feel disappointed.
"I'm just going to work as hard as I can, and make sure I go into the booth prepared," Barrett said. "That's the important thing. That's all I can do.
"Look, I'm not offended by people's reaction to this. Razorback fans are passionate people. I don't think you can win anybody over in any other way than just working."