Utes extend deal with KALL

The University of Utah will continue its long relationship with KALL Radio and introduce a new "Voice of the Utes" later this year.

Mike Lageschulte, who has worked in the U. sports information office for the past 12 years, will take over as the play-by-play announcer for football and basketball games beginning this fall.

The university announced the change Wednesday and also that KALL 700 Sports Radio, which has been the radio home to University of Utah athletics for the past 56 years, has renewed its commitment to the Utes. The term is for five years between the station and Utah Sports Properties, which is the new marketing and multimedia rights holder for Utah athletics.

"We are thrilled that KALL 700 Sports Radio will remain our broadcast partner," said Utah athletic director Chris Hill. "Our relationship with KALL has been exceptional for many years and our fans know and trust KALL as their source for Utah athletics. Our fans also expect the best from our play-by-play announcer and I am excited to introduce Mike Lageschulte as the new voice of the Utes. A valued member of our athletics department for many years, Mike has a great relationship with our coaches and student-athletes, which will allow him to provide unique insight to our listeners."

KALL 700, which began broadcasting Utah games back in 1951, will continue to air Ute football and men's and women's basketball games, and produce coaches' shows for football and men's basketball. The 50,000-watt station plans to announce additional Utah-related programming, as well as affiliate stations on the Utah Radio Network, in the coming weeks.

The 35-year-old Lageschulte joined Utah's sports information staff in 1995 and has served as the backup play-by-play announcer and color analyst for Utah men's and women's basketball, baseball and volleyball games for the past decade. He is a native of Iowa and began his broadcast career at the University of Iowa.

"I am thrilled for this new opportunity," Lageschulte said. "It's the chance of a lifetime and something I've always wanted to do. Even though I'm from the Midwest, I consider Utah my home. I'm grateful for the opportunity and excited to get going."

Lageschulte will continue to work at the university and will also oversee the publications in the athletic department. Bill Riley, who took over for Matt Thomas this past year, will continue to work for KALL 700. Before Thomas, Bill Marcroft was the Utes' announcer for nearly 40 years.

Utah Sports Properties is the exclusive marketing and multimedia rights partner of Utah athletics and manages all corporate sponsorship opportunities surrounding the athletics department, including on-premise signage, TV coaches' shows, radio, print, Internet, game sponsorships, premium hospitality, event marketing and promotions. Utah Sports Properties is a division of CBS Collegiate Sports Properties.

"KALL 700 Sports Radio is elated to continue its partnership with the University of Utah athletic programs," said KALL 700 Chief Executive Officer Dean Howes. "For more than 50 years, we have been the primary source for Ute sports information in the great state of Utah, and are proud to not only continue the tradition, but to grow fan fervor for the University of Utah."

---

E-mail: sor@desnews.com