Georgia Tech has found its new radio voice of the Yellow Jackets. Brandon Gaudin, the play-by-play broadcaster for Butler University, was chosen to replace Wes Durham, according to a person familiar with the search.
Tech is expected to make an announcement about the hire early this week. A school spokesman had no comment Saturday evening.
Selected from a pool of about 150 applicants, Gaudin has been the voice of Butler since 2010, calling the second of the Bulldogs’ Final Four trips. He also has called games for Butler’s FCS football team.
Gaudin’s responsibilities will go far beyond calling Jackets football and men’s basketball games. He also will host the weekly coaches shows for football coach Paul Johnson and basketball coach Brian Gregory and represent the athletic department at fan events. As the search began, athletic director Mike Bobinski said that a person who “can really assimilate into our culture and into our place is as important as anything.”
Gaudin’s website lists him as 29 years old. Durham was about the same age when he was hired after serving as the voice of Vanderbilt athletics.
Tech’s hire comes at an interesting time. Bobinski has made a concerted effort to improve the marketing of Tech athletics — the school reached a deal this past week for its coaches shows to be aired on 680 the Fan — and undoubtedly Gaudin will become involved in that push upon his hire.
Gaudin fills some considerable shoes. Durham was an award-winning broadcaster in his 18 years at Tech and a beloved presence among Tech fans. Durham himself replaced the legendary Al Ciraldo, who was on the job at Tech for 43 years and whose “toe meets leather” call is still invoked by Tech fans.
