Cory Provus Punt Return Call

April 12, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Officials for ISP Sports, exclusive multimedia rightsholder for UAB Athletics, have named Cory Provus the new radio play-by-play broadcaster for Blazer football and men's basketball.

Provus, who has served in both an on-air and studio production role for some of the sports marketing company's premier university partners, replaces longtime UAB play-by-play voice Gary Sanders, who retired from the broadcast booth at the end of the 2005-06 basketball season.

"We knew we had some big shoes to fill in replacing Gary, and Cory was the clear choice to become the new Voice of the Blazers," Tony Grillo, general manager of the ISP UAB sales and marketing staff, said. "We received inquiries from across the country and from all levels of sports. In the end, it was obvious that Cory was the best candidate.

As the UAB/ISP partnership enters its second year, the position of play-by-play announcer will expand to a full-time post that will incorporate daily interaction with sponsors, fans and alumni. Grillo continued, "Due to the exciting growth in the first year of the UAB/ISP partnership, we thought it was necessary to increase the role of the play-by-play announcer to become more of an ambassador for the venture. We are excited about Cory interacting with sponsors and the UAB family on a day to day basis."

Provus will serve as the play-by-play voice of the Blazers as well as hosting and assisting with production for the football and men's basketball coaches shows for both radio and television.

Grillo continued, "Cory has the ability to paint a picture for the fans of what is happening on the field and on the court. He also brings a great production background and has some creative thoughts for continuing to enhance our broadcast."

Provus spent three years with the ISP Sports broadcast team at Virginia Tech before moving to the corporate headquarters in Winston-Salem, NC, in 2003. The past three years he has handled basketball play-by-play duties for a number of ISP schools, including Wake Forest and Pittsburgh. He also called the Conference USA football championship game this past season on the ISP Sports Network and has television play-by-play experience in women's basketball and volleyball.

Of his selection, Provus said, "The opportunity to be the voice of a program of UAB's stature and to have the honor of following in the footsteps of a legend like Gary Sanders is a dream come true. I'm joining UAB at a very exciting time as both the football and basketball programs continue to grow in national prominence, and I can't wait to get to Birmingham and join the Blazer family."

UAB's interim athletic director, Richard Margison, said, "Cory is very talented and brings significant experience to the broadcast crew. I know our fans will enjoy listening to him and he will be a great asset to the UAB/ISP partnership."

Longtime color analyst Matt Coulter will be leaving the broadcast booth and be replaced by former UAB football standout and Arizona Cardinal Kevin Drake. Coulter was offered the chance to remain the color analyst but chose to pursue other opportunities. "Matt's departure has opened the door for us to give Kevin this opportunity," Grillo said. "We are excited about filling this role with a popular former player who has played for Coach Brown and loves this university."

The positions of sideline reporter for football and color analyst for basketball will be filled at a later date.

Interview requests for Cory Provus can be sent to (205) 996-5810.