Roger Hoover returns to Smokies Radio Network

Roger Hoover with the Smokies in 2010. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

By Justin Shackil / Smokies Radio Network

East Tennessee baseball fans will hear a familiar voice on the Smokies Radio Network this season as Roger Hoover returns to the Tennessee Smokies as a broadcasting assistant.

Hoover, who spent last season as the radio broadcaster for Southern League’s Jacksonville Suns, is back for his third season with Tennessee after serving as a broadcasting assistant in 2009 and 2010.

“I’m excited to return to Tennessee,” said Hoover. “I’m proud to once again to be a part of one of the best broadcasts in all of minor league baseball.”

Hoover has also provided play-by-play for Tennessee in each of the past three Southern League playoffs, and his experience in the Southern League includes: working with baseball Hall-of-Famer and 2009 Smokies manager Ryne Sandberg, being part of the Smokies Radio Network’s coverage of the 2010 Rickwood Classic, and he also provided play-by-play on the Huntsville Stars Radio Network for three innings of the 2010 Southern League All-Star Game.

Hoover along with Chris Archer, Steve Clevenger, and Russ Canzler during Tennessee's celebration following the 2010 North Division Championship Series. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

“We’re thrilled that Roger is back with us in Tennessee,” said Smokies Director of Broadcasting Mick Gillispie. “He does an excellent job, and I know our fans will enjoy having him back on the broadcast.”

In addition to his work with the Smokies, Hoover will spend the spring as the color analyst for University of Tennessee baseball on the Vol Network. In the baseball offseason, he is the voice of Maryville College football and basketball on knoxivi.com.

This will be Hoover’s fifth season of professional baseball broadcasting after beginning his career with the Kingsport Mets of the Appalachian League in 2008. A University of Tennessee alumnus and Kingsport, Tenn. native, Hoover began his broadcasting career in 2006 with the Vol Network.