TAMPA, Fla. — If you are a USF football fan, you recognize the voice.
That’s because it’s the only voice in the football program’s 29-year history.
“There’s a lot of exciting things going on here, you know, a new stadium, and the team is playing so well,” Louk said. “It’s not the smartest time to step away professionally, but personally, it was the right time.”
Hard to step away when it’s all that he’s known for 43 years. That’s how long he’s been at USF, calling more than 3,000 sporting events. And he’s been there from the very beginning when the football team kicked off its inaugural season in 1997. Louk has witnessed the program’s growth into national relevance and has been on the call for so many amazing moments.
He has narrated the good times and the bad. He’s notorious for his passion and his preparation. All of that comes through in his broadcasts.
“It’s been a privilege to be there for all these games and all these years, but every broadcast is multiple people,” he said. “And everybody except me is gonna be back next year, so I think people are really going to continue to enjoy the broadcasts.”
One of his sidekicks and USF men’s basketball play-by-play voice, Jim Lighthall, will replace Louk. And he’s got a big headset to fill. When you’re the only one who has done something for so long like Louk, letting go isn’t easy — especially when there is so much that goes into every game.
“The relationships, the coaches, the players, the broadcasts are fun, but it’s like anything else, it’s all about the people,” Louk said. “That’s the best, and that’s probably what I’ll miss the most.”
Katherine Smith
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