Hoover joins Jacksonville Suns as Radio Broadcaster

Roger Hoover

By Justin Shackil / smokiesonradio.com

Roger Hoover has been named the lead play-by-play radio voice of the Jacksonville Suns after spending two years with the Smokies Radio Network. The Suns are the Southern League affiliate of the Florida Marlins and Hoover replaces J.P. Shadrick who leaves to take a similar position with the Oklahoma City Redhawks of the Pacific Coast League.

“The past two seasons with the Smokies and working on the Smokies Radio Network has been a great experience,” said Hoover, who served as the Senior Broadcasting Assistant on the Smokies Radio Network, working alongside Director of Broadcasting Mick Gillispie. “Along with Mick, Darren Headrick, Alex Powell, and Jim Tocco, we put together a Major League-quality broadcast that I was always proud of. While it’s tough to leave East Tennessee, I am very excited about this opportunity with the Jacksonville Suns. I’m thrilled to stay in the Southern League with so many of my friends and colleagues, and I can’t wait for Opening Day.”

Hoover along with Chris Archer, Steve Clevenger, and Russ Canzler during Tennessee's celebration following the 2010 North Division Championship Series

Hoover joined the Smokies in 2009 while still a student at the University of Tennessee. He co-hosted the Pilot Oscar-Mayer Pre-Game Show as well as the Tenth Inning Wrap-Up Show for all Smokies broadcasts durin the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Before coming to Tennessee, Hoover served as the Director of Broadcasting for the Kingsport Mets, the Appalachian League affiliate of the New York Mets and has been a contributor on the Vol Network at his alma mater on baseball and men’s basketball radio broadcasts, as well as the television programs “Inside the Orange,” and “The Pat Summitt Television Show.”

“We couldn’t be more proud of Roger,” said Smokies voice Mick Gillispie. “He did an excellent job over the past few years and will surely be missed by everyone with the Smokies organization and our fans. Jacksonville is getting a great radio voice and a wonderful person.”