Courtesy of Husker Athletics
Playfly Sports and Nebraska Athletics announced Monday the hiring of Kyle Crooks as the new play-by-play voice of Nebraska Football. In his role as the Director of Broadcasting for the Huskers Radio Network, Crooks will also co-host the network’s Sports Nightly show.
Crooks comes to Nebraska after eight years as Broadcast Coordinator and play-by-play broadcaster at the University of Florida. In his time with the Gators, Crooks worked on the radio network’s football, men’s basketball, baseball, softball and soccer broadcasts. Additionally, he has broadcasted events for the SEC Network+ digital platform. Alongside his play-by-play work, Crooks helped guide the behind-the-scenes effort for the radio network’s social media tasks and day-to-day operations.
“I am incredibly excited for this opportunity! It’s a dream come true to broadcast the great moments ahead for the Cornhuskers,” Crooks said. “I can’t wait to get to Lincoln and meet Husker Nation. It will be an honor to work alongside a talented team in the Greg Sharpe Radio Booth. Greg is a legend in the broadcast industry and beyond, and I will work passionately to continue his elite standard of excellence both in the booth and in the community.”
During his time in Florida, Crooks also became a voice for the ‘College Football Game of the Week’ on the National Sports Network. His national work also included play-by-play duties with SEC radio at the women’s basketball and softball conference tournaments.
“Kyle Crooks is a rising star in the broadcast world, and we are thrilled to have him join the Huskers Radio Network and our Nebraska family,” Director of Athletics Troy Dannen said. “Kyle’s play-by-play abilities and voice speak for themselves, and I was equally impressed with his dedication to his craft and his energy.
“I would like to credit Playfly Sports for leading a successful search with many excellent candidates. Kyle will be a great lead voice on one of the nation’s best football broadcasts, and we are so fortunate to have him join our impressive group of play-by-play voices across all sports.”
Crooks will anchor the Huskers Radio Network football broadcast, with Damon Benning serving as analyst and Jessica Coody handling sideline duties, and several other voices being part of the pre and post-game shows. Crooks joins a group of play-by-play talent that includes Kent Pavelka in men’s basketball, John Baylor in volleyball, Matt Coatney in women’s basketball, Ben McLaughlin and Nick Handley on baseball and Nate Rohr on softball. Crooks will join Coody as the co-host of the Sports Nightly show.
“The radio and multi-media network at Nebraska is the standard bearer in the industry,” Playfly Vice President Andrew Waters said. “Kyle’s experience and dedication will be an excellent match with one of the most passionate fan bases in the country. We are extremely excited to have Kyle represent the Huskers for many years to come.”
Before arriving in Gainesville in 2017, Crooks had NCAA Division I broadcasting stops at Fairleigh Dickinson and USC Upstate. In 2015, Kyle worked in minor league baseball as a Broadcast/Media Relations Assistant with the Jacksonville Suns, the double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
As a 2014 graduate of William Paterson University, he also served as the Sports Director of the campus radio station WPSC 88.7 FM. Kyle was born and raised in Pompton Plains, N.J. His mother, Brenda, and brothers Jack, Mike, and Dan still reside in New Jersey. His late father, John, remains a main inspiration to this day.
