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ATHENS, Ohio— Seasoned television and radio broadcaster Marty Bannister will be the play-by-play announcer for the 2024 Ohio football season, as announced today (Aug. 26) by Ohio Sports Properties and Ohio Director of Athletics Julie Cromer. Long-time color analyst Rob Cornelius will be reprising his role for the 2024 season.
In addition to his in-game responsibilities, Bannister will be hosting the weekly
Tim Albin Show starting Tuesday, Sept. 3.
"Marty brings decades of play-by-play experience and a passion for athletics throughout the state of Ohio," said Cromer. "Over the years, we have seen first-hand the quality of his broadcast work and his connection to Bobcat fans. We look forward to hearing more from him in this expanded role with our broadcast team."
Bannister is well acquainted with Athens and has served as the play-by-play announcer for many of the Bobcats' in-house ESPN+ men's and women's basketball broadcasts, opening his time with Ohio calling the men's basketball team's 96-75 victory over Sam Houston State in 2016. He has been on the call for many notable wins in the Convocation Center, including the 2020-21 women's basketball team's victory over Notre Dame and several Battle of the Bricks victories for both teams. Additionally, Bannister called two Mid-American Conference championships Ohio hosted: the 2022 MAC Cross Country Championships and the 2023 MAC Men's Golf Championships.
The long-standing play-by-play announcer for Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), Bannister has called a multitude of football and basketball state championship finals since 2006. He co-hosts OHSAA's "Friday Night Rivals" on CW Columbus, which highlights a Columbus-area high school football matchup every Friday night. Additionally, he has served as an executive producer at iHeartRadio since 2021. There, he anchors, writes and produces "The Press Box" for the Dayton-based Fox Sports 980 WONE, covering professional sports statewide.
Notably, Bannister was the play-by-play "Voice" of the Ohio State Buckeyes women's basketball team for 13 years. While with Ohio State-IMG Sports Network, he was also the sideline reporter for Ohio State football broadcasts and served as the go-to fill-in announcer for Ohio State football and men's basketball broadcasts.
"It's an honor to be chosen as the radio voice of Ohio football. I've enjoyed calling Bobcats basketball on ESPN+ over the last eight years and getting to know so many Ohio fans," said Bannister. "The chance to bring the excitement of Ohio football to Bobcat Nation on the Ohio Sports Network from Learfield is one I can't wait for."
An avid Ohio sports fan, Bannister anchored, written and produced for a myriad of radio talk shows over the years. From 2011-16, he worked for WBNS AM/FM-ONN Radio on Columbus' top-rated drive sports-talk station. Prior to that, he served as the News Bureau Chief for Metro Networks, working on state-wide morning drive newscasts for three years. From 2004-07, Bannister was also the play-by-play announcer for the Columbus Destroyers, Columbus' Arena Football League franchise.
Bannister spent 1992-2005 as the Sports Director at WIZE/WBLY AM, based out of Springfield, Ohio. There, he co-hosted the morning news show as well as a daily sports talk show, all while serving as the "Voice" of Wittenberg football, basketball and baseball. While in Springfield, he started his decades-long coverage of high school sports.
"We're looking forward to continuing our strong partnership with Ohio Athletics for the 2024 football season," said Ohio Sports Properties General Manager Matt Molde. "Marty brings with him years of passion and experience that will only add to the gameday experience."
Bannister's career started at WBNS AM/FM Radio, where he was a producer and engineer for a five-hour nightly sports talk show. Additionally, he was the pre-game and half-time host and engineer for statewide coverage of OSU football and basketball broadcasts.
Bannister and his wife, Amy, reside in Columbus, Ohio. They have four children—Corey, Amy, Alex and Sophia—as well as two grandchildren, Rian and Henry.
The Bobcats are set to open the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31 when they take on Syracuse. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET on ACCN at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.
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