South Carolina Sportscasters: The Best Of The Best

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

On July 11, 2003, the University of South Carolina was happy to name Mike Morgan as the play-by-play announcer for the men’s basketball team. In previous years, Mike had worked as the play-by-play voice of the women’s basketball team. He had also called the Gamecock Baseball team since 2000, which he got a rare opportunity to call the Gamecocks’ College World Series Championship in 2002. When he accepted the men’s basketball play-by-play job, these were his words- “Just like baseball, people will have no doubt who I'm calling the games for," "It's hard for me not to get excited when Carolina is doing well. By the same token, they will get an honest, knowledgeable and credible account of what is going on."

Prior to accepting his job he worked his own sportstalk show in Columbus, GA, and for the Columbus Red Stikk, a team in the Cleveland Indians farm system. Also, he broadcasted high school football in the region. Mike Morgan worked on the Gamecocks’ radio broadcasts until he was resigned under pressure in April 2009. The 2009 season was one of the most exciting basketball seasons in a long time for Carolina basketball.

Here is Mike Morgan’s call vs. Florida in the final 3.3 seconds.  “Parsons to the free throw line, a 1 and 1.” “It’s on the way, missed it!” “Rebound Holmes, ahead to Fredrick, Fredrick LAYS IT IN”!!!!

“That’s unbelievable!!” “I do not believe it!” “Carolina wins it 70-69!!” “I can’t believe it, what a play”! “Some students are storming the court, who cares?!” “Carolina wins, an improbable finish!”

You just have to see this one yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8kt8HqIiC0&feature=related.

Basketball and baseball broadcasts will never be the same without Mike Morgan. In April 2009, the Carolina Gamecocks lost the heart and the soul of its radio crew. Mike won three NSSA Sportscaster of the year awards in the state of South Carolina. Mike will now handle Carolina Panthers pre-season TV broadcasts.

Phil Kornblut, South Carolina Sportstalk (1984- present)

Phil Kornblut is known for his recruiting knowledge by college coaches around South Carolina and the southeast. Phil can be heard on Sportstalk statewide from 6-8 on weeknights. In Columbia, he can be heard on 560 AM. Phil has been behind the mic since South Carolina Sportstalk originated 25 years ago. Kornblut also has won the NSSA South Carolina Sportscaster of the year five times. Phil is a highly regarded basketball and football recruiting man and has a weekly column in The State newspaper (Columbia, SC) on State recruiting.

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