Three Decades of Excellence: The Impact of Bill Culhane

By KTSW Sports Director and Assistant Directors
@KTSWSports

If you’ve listened to any Texas State athletic event’s radio broadcast over the years on KTSW 89.9 or AM 1300 The Zone, you’ve probably heard Bill Culhane’s voice. You’ve probably heard the excitement of triple-overtime wins, and the lows of tough losses, but you’ve always heard Bill.

Bill Culhane has been “the voice of the Bobcats” for almost three decades, broadcasting football and men’s basketball.

He’s seen Texas State transition from FCS to FBS football, and he’s seen the Bobcats join the Sun Belt Conference. While many coaches and players have come and gone, Bill’s voice on Saturday’s, Thursday’s, or whenever else has been a mainstay in the Bobcat athletics community.

Bill Culhane announced his retirement this morning and you can read more about that here.

Many know Bill on-air, but not everybody knows him off of it. A true professional and a joyous spirit, Culhane made an impact on everybody he worked with. This is the influence he’s had on KTSW’s student broadcasters, his colleagues and successor.

Brant Freeman, Former KTSW and Texas State Sports Network Broadcaster, Texas State’s ESPN+ Play-by-Play Broadcaster:

“It’s really hard to put into words what Bill Culhane has meant to this University and to Texas State Athletics. For so long, the only coverage available for the Bobcats was the radio, so if you wanted to follow every snap of the ball, every jump shot, every swing of the bat, you heard Bill’s voice describing it.

He brought a level of professionalism to each broadcast he did, a level I still find myself trying to match. So many things about the history of Texas State Athletics, of the broadcasting industry, I learned from him. 

Without Bill in my life, I don’t know what I’d be doing professionally right now. His passion for broadcasting and the Bobcats is only exceeded by the passion he has for his family, which I know was a big motivating factor in his decision to step away. We are all so grateful for what his commitment to Texas State has meant for the better part of nearly three decades, that’s certainly something that we shouldn’t take for granted.

There will be other broadcasters for the Bobcats, but there will never be another Bill Culhane.”

Clint Shields, Texas State Sports Network Broadcaster, Successor:

“Could I have picked bigger shoes to try and fill? I’m not sure I could have. In addition to his talents behind the mic, he’s a great friend. It was always a pleasure to work alongside him and our conversations while on the road I’ll miss greatly.

As a broadcaster, his knowledge of and passion for all things Texas State have been such an asset for me over the last three years and I’m sure I’ll continue to lean on him for a long time to come. For Bobcat fans who tune into his broadcasts, their expectations are high as a result of the passion and preparation that Bill has put into his work over the years. I only hope I can continue to provide that.”

Reily Chestnut, Former KTSW Sports Director, Professional Sports Broadcaster:

“Bill’s the perfect guy to work with if you’re a new broadcaster. His casual tone, mixed with outstanding preparation, gave me an idea of how one must approach game preparation. He showed me that if you work really hard to get ready, you’re more likely to have a ball calling the game. Bill isn’t just a mentor. Him, Brant and Clint are great friends who showed me how amazing my pursuit can be if I put in the time…plus a little extra.”

Mark Brown, Former KTSW Assistant Director and Broadcaster, KSAN News Anchor:

“I’m extremely grateful I got the chance to meet and work with Bill Culhane during my time at Texas State. He will always be remembered as the man with the legendary voice. Not only that, but also a great mentor that paved the way for the younger generation. This man touched so many lives during his tenure and he will always continue to do so in his next chapter.”

Josh Orozco, KTSW Assistant Director, Broadcaster, and TXST ESPN+ Broadcast Assistant:

“Bill always treated me with respect the minute I walked into KTSW. He didn’t care that I was just starting to learn the business as long as we had the same goal: create the best possible broadcast.

I’m thankful to have produced broadcasts with him and witness first hand what it takes to become successful in this field. You couldn’t have asked for a better professional to emulate and in this case, he so happens to be one of the best in Texas State history because there will never be another Bill Culhane.”

Jude McClaren, KTSW Assistant Director and Broadcaster:

“While I never was able to broadcast alongside Bill, he always went out of his way to give us (KTSW) a fist-bump or a thumbs up and a smile. He also once went out of his way to tell me that he appreciated the support I give the Bobcats, and how it doesn’t go unnoticed even if sometimes it may feel like it does.

In the short time I knew and worked with him, it was always joy listening to him while producing radio broadcasts and seeing him at games. He’s on the Mount Rushmore of Texas State Broadcasters that’s for sure, and is a legend in the Bobcat community.”

Connor MacKinnon, KTSW Assistant Director and Broadcaster:

“I would listen to his broadcasts while producing and I would always think Texas State is lucky to have a broadcaster like Bill Culhane. Bill has a unique quality when it came to treating everybody the same and I always admired that. In my eyes, Bill is already a legend in the San Marcos area, but legends are built on their character. Bill always looked at me as an equal, when I sure was not.

I’ll remember the person that Bill is because to me that is what matters. Thank you Bill for everything.”

Garrett Martin, KTSW Sports Director and Broadcaster:

“I’ve got incredible respect for Bill Culhane. Never in my life have I seen someone blend fun and professionalism together so well. The San Marcos and greater hill country area was privileged to have his broadcasts go out on the air for close to three decades of time and I hope to continue to hear his cameo appearances on broadcasts in the future. I was blessed with the opportunity to work beside him and follow Texas State baseball with him. I could not have pictured my time covering Texas State baseball or any Texas State sport differently without Bill.”

Featured image courtesy of Bill Culhane.