Gary Sanders

Gary Sanders

Gary Sanders (born c. 1939) is a retired sports announcer, best known as the voice of the Auburn Tigers and UAB Blazers teams.

Sanders, a long-time announcer for WAPI-AM, began broadcasting for Auburn University alongside color analyst Gusty Yearout in the late 1960s. Among the memorable games he called was the 1972 Iron Bowl, dubbed "Punt, Bama, Punt" for the two touchdowns Auburn scored off of blocked punts. Audio of his call from the game is frequently replayed by fans:

Greg Gantt standing on his own 30, Auburn will try to block it. Auburn going after it, here's the good snap...it is blocked!!! It is blocked!!! It's caught on the run!!! It's caught on the run and he's gonna score!!! David Langner!!! David Langner has scored and Auburn has tied the game!!! Roger Mitchell blocked the kick! And it's 16 to 16!

Sanders debuted for UAB, along with the Blazers basketball team, for the 1979-80 season. During his career he has also called football games, NCAA Tournament basketball games for CBS Radio, Birmingham Bulls hockey games, and Birmingham Barons baseball games.

Sanders retired from UAB in 2006.

References

• Champlin, Drew (November 7, 2013) "Legendary Gary Sanders returns to the radio for UAB's basketball opener on Friday night." The Birmingham News