Long-time radio broadcaster Larry Ward will be honored Saturday, March 1 during the final Chattanooga women’s basketball game this season.
Ward called more than 800 games for the Mocs and saw UTC win 70 percent of the time. He made 15 trips to the NCAA Tournament including the memorable win over Rutgers in 2004.
He put the women’s team on the radio in 1988-89 season with Coach Craig Parrott calling the Mocs first-ever game in the NCAA Tournament that year. In 12 seasons with Wes Moore, trips to the Big Dance were almost expected as he called eight of Moore's nine and two to the WNIT.
Following that run, he was behind the mic for four postseason appearances with Hall of Fame Coach Jim Foster, former Moc turned head coach Katie Burrows and concluded his time making back-to-back journeys to the postseason with first-time Head Coach Shawn Poppie.
He called games in California, Texas, Washington, New York and Mexico to name a few, giving a mental picture back home to those who couldn't travel to watch the (Lady) Mocs in person.
Even opponent's fans followed games as called by the "Voice".
Ward announced his retirement from UTC last summer, citing the need to call it a day. He continues as the broadcaster for the MiLB Chattanooga Lookouts where he begins his 37th season
Ward continues with the Chattanooga Lookouts where he begins his 37th season this spring with the AA minor league farm team of the Cincinnati Reds. He is a member of three Halls of Fame including the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame (2005), Southern League Hall of Fame (2015) and in 2022 was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.
He will be honored between the first and second quarters during the women’s Senior Day game at the McKenzie Arena. Tickets can be purchased online at GoMocs.com or the McKenzie Arena box office.