Bud Nameck out as the Voice of the Cougars
Bud Nameck has been an omnipresent radio voice for the Washington State athletic community since 1998 but was forced out by IMG College in a surprising move on Wednesday morning.
Nameck served as the play-by-play radio announcer in the football booth the past two seasons and served as the sideline reporter from 2002-2011. Prior to that he was a television play-by-play man on Prime and Fox Sports Northwest. He's been the play-by-play announcer for basketball since 1993, meaning he was on the call for three of WSU's six NCAA tournament appearances.
"I have had the best seat in the house for more than 30 years being able to broadcast WSU sports,” said Nameck. “I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of Cougar nation. I am grateful to have created Cougar friendships over the years that will last a lifetime.”
He's also been the weekly host of Cougar Calls, a weekly roundup of WSU sports with either athletic director Bill Moos or an appointed fill-in. There are few people with a better institutional knowledge of WSU athletics, and I'll certainly miss having Bud as a resource to tell me about Cougars exploits from before my time covering the team (to say nothing of the immense value of having a friend that can recommend 10 restaurants in any Pac-12 city).
Coming on the heels of Bud Withers' retirement, it means that WSU fans will have to adjust to some new voices this season. Specifically, Matt Chazanow's voice, a manager with IMG who is taking over Nameck's role at football and basketball games, while also picking up the mic at WSU baseball games.
In a statement, Chazanow said, “It is an incredible opportunity and privilege to be the voice of the Cougars. To live and work in Pullman and be part of the WSU family is a dream come true. I look forward to be a part of the Cougar Family for many years to come. Go Cougs.”
The postgame show and Cougar Calls will be handled by current pregame show host, and Friend of Sportslink, Derek Deis, a WSU alum.