Randy Rigby, Utah Jazz team president announced today that David Locke has been selected as the radio play-by-play announcer for Jazz broadcasts on 1320 KFAN beginning with the 2009-10 season. Locke becomes only the second radio voice in franchise history, following “Hot” Rod Hundley who retired after 35 seasons with the Jazz.
“When I was a young kid I would leave Jazz games at the Salt Palace with my dad and when we would listen to Hot Rod on the way home, I would tell him ‘I want to be a broadcaster,’” said Locke. “To be offered that opportunity from the franchise whose posters hung on my wall as a kid is an amazing thrill. I am excited to go on the journey through the season with Jazz fans. Combining both the radio show and the play-by-play should bring fans closer to the team than ever before and give them a new glimpse inside the season.”
Locke brings more than 15 years of broadcast experience to the Jazz. His NBA play-by-play résumé includes one season as the radio voice of the Seattle SuperSonics (2006-2007). In addition Locke spent seven seasons as the play-by-play announcer for the WNBA’s Seattle Storm (2000-2006), one season as the television play-by-play voice for University of Washington football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball (2002-2003) and one season as the TV/radio announcer of the WNBA’s Utah Starzz. Locke also filled in for “Hot” Rod Hundley, calling the Jazz game at Toronto on March 8, 2009.
“We are very excited to have David on board as the radio voice of the Utah Jazz,” said Rigby. “Following a legend like ‘Hot’ Rod Hundley is not an easy task but we are confident we found the best equipped person for the job. David is a dedicated professional who is very passionate about Jazz basketball and we believe Jazz fans will embrace his broadcast style.”
The Palo Alto, Calif. native currently hosts the top-rated sports radio show “Locked On Sports,” which will continue as scheduled from 3-6 p.m. (MT) each weekday. For the past two seasons Locke has also served as host of the Jazz’s pregame, halftime and postgame radio shows on 1320 KFAN.
“David brings a unique perspective to our fans,” said Jazz Senior Vice President of Broadcasting Chris Baum. “Much like he has with his radio show, Locke will continue to implement social media into his broadcasts, making information on the Jazz available 365 days a year.”
Locke originally began his radio career in Los Angeles in 1992 at KIEV before moving to Salt Lake where he hosted the morning show at The Score. Locke then left for KISN as the station’s mid-day radio host where he also was a pre and postgame reporter for Jazz games. In 1995 he was hired to develop 1320 KFAN, serving as program director and afternoon drive host while also hosting the Jazz’s pregame, halftime and postgame shows. With Locke at the helm, 1320 KFAN was the highest rated sports station in the Salt Lake City demographic of men 25-54. Locke’s show reached its peak in the spring of 1998, ranking first in both FM and AM radio with adults 25-54 in the country. In 1998 Locke moved to the Northwest, spending eight years as the host of “Sonics Talk,” the Sonics’ radio pregame, halftime and postgame shows on Sports Radio 950 KJR AM. Locke also wrote a weekly column for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper.
