Barry McKnight, the longtime sportscaster for the Trojans, was named the Alabama Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.
“It’s tremendous honor,” said McKnight, “this award comes from an organization that is the premier organization of its type in my business.
“They have national awards they give this year...every year they’ve been doing this for two generations at the national sports media association so just to be associated with that is extraordinary.”
The award is the latest in a long list of honors for McKnight, the “Voice of the Trojans,” as he’s also received multiple Associated Press awards and Alabama Broadcasters Association awards.
“Troy University is proud that Barry is the voice of the Trojans,” said Troy Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr in a press release.
McKnight has been a staple in broadcasting in southeast Alabama for nearly 30 years, working in sports radio in the Montgomery area since 1997 and serving as the play-by-play announcer for College Sport’s Southeastern coverage in a variety of sports from 1997 to 2001.
“I can’t think of a more worthy person and broadcaster than Barry McKnight,” Troy Athletics Director Brent Jones said. “His voice, insight and description are synonymous with Troy University Athletics.
“We are incredibly grateful for his hard work and dedication to tell the stories of our student-athletes and teams.”
In 2002, he joined the Trojans on the radio and has since become synonymous with Troy Athletics. In recent years, you hear McKnight’s voice in a variety of different places from radio to hype videos put out by Athletics.
When asked about his favorite moments with Troy in his 23 years, McKnight gave a plethora of moments, from the Trojans upsetting LSU in football in 2017 to a multitude of baseball wins, such as beating Boston College in the 2022 NCAA regionals.
One of his top three most memorable moments though was the conclusion of the 2017 Sun Belt Conference basketball tournament where the Trojans went on a six-game winning streak to win the tournament.
“The Texas Arlington game, that night I had found out my father had passed,” McKnight said, “We didn’t lose since and won the Sun Belt championship and Coach Cunningham comes up after the game to do the postgame interview.
“Everyone is just ecstatic, and he gives me a big hug and says, ‘That was for Mr. McKnight’ and I can never tell that story without clutching up a little bit, I’ll never forget that.”
McKnight now spends most of his time at Troy broadcasting over radio or as the primary color commentator for Trojan sports on ESPN+.
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