From left, Earl Freudenberg, Bill Edwards and Bill Nash
As the UTC Mocs travel to Knoxville for Saturday’s football game, I’m reminded of when the team played the volunteers at Neyland Stadium 50 years ago. I was fortunate to go with the “Voice of the Mocs” Bill Nash and Coach Bill Edwards who provided color. My job was to make sure the broadcast got on the air. In those days doing remotes wasn’t as simple as it is today.
We left Chattanooga early that Saturday and arrived in Knoxville where we were greeted by two UT students in a special designated parking lot. The three of us were escorted to a media elevator that took us to our press box. The students helped me carry our equipment and set up for the broadcast.
Both Mr. Nash and Mr. Edwards went straight to the locker rooms to meet with the coaches. I’ll never forget that UT’s voice John Ward came over to welcome us. He took us to UT’s special hospitality room with snacks and soft drinks. Mr. Ward told us if we needed anything to let him know. We were furnished spotters by both schools which made things a lot of easier. (Although Bill Nash was so good he didn’t need spotters).
WDEF AM and FM was the flagship station in Chattanooga for the Vols. WDOD AM and FM broadcast all the Mocs games. Bill Nash asked Mr. Ward if he would talk on the air with him during pre-game. Both men did short interviews on each other’s stations. John Ward and his broadcast partner Bill Anderson were so gracious. They went out of their way to make sure their visitors had everything they needed. The broadcast went on the air without any problems.
After the game John Ward came over and invited us to a post-game meeting with coaches and players. School officials were also present. There was plenty to eat. Finally about dark we headed back to Chattanooga.
Although UTC lost, the trip to Knoxville was very memorable for this young broadcaster. John Ward and all the UT people couldn’t have been any nicer.
That same year I traveled with Mr. Nash and Mr. Edwards to several memorable games including MTSU, ETSU, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. WSM’s Hal Durham made that evening at Vanderbilt most memorable, which is another story. As a young announcer working with Bill Nash and Bill Edwards it was more of a listening experience. They had so many football stories to share.
This picture was probably made by the great George Moody who covered UT for the Chattanooga News Free Press. I remember that trip to Knoxville 50 years ago like it was today. We now await the outcome of Saturday’s game.