ESPN’s announcement naming legendary former “Voice of the Tigers,” Jim Hawthorne, as the Best Play-by-Play Announcer in College Sports, a move sparking heartfelt celebration across generations of LSU fans:
An Icon Reclaimed
In a breaking honor recognized across college athletics, ESPN has named Jim Hawthorne — the familiar, comforting voice synonymous with LSU Tigers athletics — as the Best Play-by-Play Announcer in College Sports. His evocative narration of on-field and on-court drama, spanning over 36 years (1979–2016), has left an enduring imprint on collegiate sports broadcasting .
From the roar of Tiger Stadium to the hush and crescendo of postseason play, Hawthorne’s voice threaded seamlessly through decades of Tiger triumph, heartbreak, and pure athletic magic. This accolade—standing apart from his earlier awards—cements his lasting impact on fans, colleagues, and the members of LSU’s storied athletic legacy.
A Storied Career: Voices from the Past
- A career that spanned generations: Hawthorne first took the mic for LSU men’s basketball in 1979 and expanded into football by 1983, and baseball the following year. Over 36 seasons, he narrated two BCS football titles (2003, 2007), six College World Series championships, and three Final Four appearances .
- Defining moments in Tiger lore:
- The “Earthquake Game” in 1988, famously capturing the eruption of fan jubilation so loud it triggered a seismograph .
- The 1996 CWS walk-off by Warren Morris—a call Hawthorne later cited as the most emotionally charged of his career .
- The “Bluegrass Miracle” in 2002, with a last-second touchdown that became etched in LSU and college football history .
Depth Beyond the Headlines
While his signature calls are legendary, what truly set Hawthorne apart was his craft and character:
- Attention to detail: Known for bringing in-depth research and personal stories into broadcasts, he made listeners feel intimately connected to both the plays and players .
- A trusted voice across formats: Beyond game days, Hawthorne hosted weekly call-in shows and coach interviews—giving fans a direct line to the teams they loved .
- A lifetime of recognition:
- Awarded the 2015 Chris Schenkel Award by the National Football Foundation—honoring his long, distinguished university-bound career .
- Inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and later the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame (2023), further solidifying his legendary status .
Why This ESPN Honor Matters
- National-level recognition: Unlike Hall of Fame inductions or regional accolades, ESPN’s title as the Best Play-by-Play Announcer in College Sports elevates Hawthorne to a nationwide stage—recognizing him not just as an LSU legend, but as the gold standard in his profession .
- Bridging generations: Many fans grew up hearing “That’s a Tiger first down!” echo through their radios. This award encapsulates that shared audio experience—an element LSU fans across eras hold dear .
- A testament to radio’s power: In a time when broadcasting is often fragmented across streaming services and platforms, Hawthorne’s legacy serves as a reminder of the magnetic, unifying force radio can wield when a voice truly connects.
How the Campus & Fans React
- An LSU Athletics Hall of Fame spokesperson—whose relationship with Hawthorne stretches back to his time as an inductee—remarked:
“His voice is the soundtrack of my childhood and so many others… This recognition from ESPN is a well-deserved honor.” - Across social media, messages poured in from alumni, former athletes, and longtime season-ticket holders, many praising the emotion, clarity, and timeless authenticity of his broadcasts.
The Man Beyond the Mic
- Humble beginnings: Hailing from Anacoco, Louisiana, Hawthorne began calling high school games before moving into college athletics, working his way up through collegiate and minor-league broadcasts before arriving at LSU .
- Community voice: After retiring from full-time radio in 2016, he pivoted to hosting a classic country show and continued local engagement—retaining his voice in Baton Rouge even off the field .
- A legacy of passion: Even after stepping down, Hawthorne’s influence endures through the voices he inspired and the standards he set—most notably the announcer who followed him, Chris Blair .
Final Take
ESPN naming Jim Hawthorne the Best Play-by-Play Announcer in College Sports isn’t just an award—it’s a celebration of what college sports broadcasting should embody: passion, clarity, storytelling, and emotional resonance. For three decades, he narrated not just games, but the very spirit of LSU. In a world cluttered with hot-take media and shifting platforms, Hawthorne’s steady Southern drawl remains the benchmark—a voice that didn’t just call action, but brought fans into it.
🔊 To LSU fans old and new: Raise the dial, close your eyes, and hear that unmistakable phrase one more time—because, as ESPN just confirmed, no one did it better.
If you’d like audio clips of his most famous calls, reminiscences from teammates and coaches, or comparisons with today’s top announcers, I’ll be happy to follow up!
