Bill Roth Selected As UCLA's New Play-by-Play Announcer

This morning, UCLA announced that Bill Roth has been named the new play-by-play announcer for both UCLA Football and UCLA Basketball. Roth has been the voice of the Virginia Tech Hokies for the past 27 years.

In a statement, UCLA Athletic Director Dan Gurrerro said:

It’s not every day that you’re able to add a Hall-of-Famer to your program. Bill is as accomplished of a broadcaster as there is in this country, and we could not be more excited to have him put his stamp on UCLA games. I know our fans will appreciate Bill’s unique ability to paint a picture of the action with his words and, when everything is said and done, expect that Bill will more than live up to the legacy set forth by the many great UCLA broadcasters that have come before.

Roth is a member of both the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Syracuse University’s WAER Hall of Fame. He has been the Virginia Sportscaster of the Year 11 times. That award is voted on by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.

In the statement announcing his hire, Roth had this to say:

I am tremendously grateful, honored and humbled to be named the new ‘Voice of the Bruins,' I have tremendous respect for the UCLA tradition, having grown up sitting in front of the television in awe of national broadcasts featuring UCLA teams playing at historic venues like Pauley Pavilion and the Rose Bowl. From hearing ‘Sons of Westwood’ blaring through the speakers to witnessing championship teams led by larger-than-life coaches, I am well aware that this is one of America’s most iconic institutions.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Coach Wooden in his Encino den. The experience was second to none, and little did I know that a few years later, I would have the privilege of getting behind the microphone for the team he so dearly loved.

Words cannot express how excited I am to be joining the Bruin family. To be part of college sports’ most accomplished athletic program is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I cannot wait to be part of the next chapter of UCLA’s storied histor

Roth's website has some audio of his play-by-play calls. Here is a video clip of Roth previewing a game between the Hokies and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Roth graduated from Syracuse University’s renowned Newhouse School of Public Communications in 1987 with a degree in broadcast journalism a year after being awarded the distinguished Robert Costas Scholarship.

Welcome to the Bruin family, Bill Roth!

Go Bruins!!!