CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Virginia athletics department and Playfly Sports Properties announced today the hiring of John Freeman as the new “Voice of the Cavaliers.” Freeman takes over as the play-by-play announcer for Virginia football and men’s basketball games on the Virginia Sports Radio Network and other announcing duties including serving as host of the in-season “Coach’s Corner” program.
Freeman replaces Dave Koehn who served in the position for 14 years until being named the radio play-by-play announcer for the National Basketball Association’s Milwaukee Bucks in October.
“Growing up in Crozet, this is the job I always coveted,” Freeman said. “I now get to talk to people about the Hoos for a living. Today, I am simply speechless.
“It’s been a long, winding journey home and I’m so grateful for all the countless people who have helped me along the way including those who held this very role over the past three decades.”
Freeman handled the play-by-play duties for the Virginia Sports Radio Network during Virginia’s last four football games. His first event in his full-time role will be Tuesday’s men’s basketball home game versus Navy. That contest is the season opener for the Cavaliers.
“We’re beyond excited to bring this Wahoo home,” said Brad Ferrell, the general manger of Virginia Sports Properties. “John’s passion for broadcasting was clear when he enthusiastically stepped in as our interim voice, but his allegiance to UVA is in his blood. John’s not new to the Virginia Sports Radio Network, he has been sharing his expertise with Wahoo nation as a fill-in play-by-play for years, even while serving as a broadcast fixture in Nashville. He’s a talented storyteller and we’re thrilled to be bringing the fans a new era in Cavaliers radio.”
A native of Crozet, Va., Freeman graduated from Virginia in 2009 with a degree in media studies. He has handled announcing duties for the Virginia Sports Radio Network and UVA streaming platforms since 2006 including fill-in duties for men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, wrestling and softball.
In 2017 Freeman was named the play-by-play announcer for the Nashville Soccer Club franchise and continued with the club into its Major League Soccer expansion. Freeman previously handled announcing duties for Tennessee State men’s basketball, VCU women’s basketball, the Atlantic Ten Network, Randolph Macon and Georgia athletics.
While working for NewsRadio 1070 WINA in Charlottesville, the sports department was honored by the Associated Press four times for “Best Sports Coverage in the State of Virginia.”
About Playfly Sports
Playfly Sports is a full-service sports marketing company operating where sports marketing, media & technology converge. Playfly Sports drives outcome-based solutions for brands reaching approximately 83 percent of all US sports fans generating over 230bn impressions each year in pro, college, and high school sports. Utilizing the influence and durability of local sports fandom, Playfly Sports exclusive rights in the NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA, esports, and high school sectors drive value for our local, regional, and national brand partners. Playfly’s insights-infused multimedia and tech platforms drive innovation through scaled linear, digital, in-venue, and experiential marketing and engagement assets. Playfly Sports has the unique ability to partner, innovate, and advance the aspirations of athletes, brands, academic institutions, and sports fans across the U.S. Playfly Sports is Igniting Brands through the Love of Fans. Visit Playfly Sports online at playfly.com and follow Playfly Sports on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook: @PlayflySports. www.playfly.com