The Voice of the Squirrels is now the Voice of the Hokies. Virginia Tech Department of Athletics and IMG, Tech's multimedia rights partner, hired Jon Laaser (pronounced "laser") as the school's new play-by-play broadcaster. The Hokies and IMG conducted a nationwide search to fill the vacancy after Bill Roth unexpectedly left his post last April.
"This is the opportunity of a lifetime," Laaser said in a release. "As a broadcaster you dream about the chance to call just one game from places like Lane Stadium and Cassell Coliseum. I'm not sure it's sunk in yet that I'll be announcing every football and men's basketball game from these historic venues. Bill Roth has set the bar incredibly high. He's an impossible act to follow, but I certainly aspire to live up to his lofty standards."
The 35-year-old Minnesota native was previously the television and radio broadcaster for VCU basketball. In addition to four years spent covering VCU, Laser was the lead play-by-play announcer the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.
"Jon Laaser is the right man for Virginia Tech," Director of Athletics Whit Babcock said. "IMG presented us with a highly-skilled pool of prospects for this position. We were impressed, but not surprised by the volume of national interest in our play-by-play job. We are confident that Hokie Nation will embrace Jon's passion and enthusiasm for Virginia Tech Athletics."
Laaser's first game will be the 2015 football season opener against defending national champion Ohio State at Lane Stadium.
Virginia Tech also announced a multi-year contract extension for analyst Mike Burnop.
"Mike is a valuable member of our Hokie Nation," Babcock said. "His ties to the community, service to the Hokies coupled with his insights into the game made getting this contract extension a priority. I'm looking forward to the great work he and Jon will do in the booth for many years to come."
"It's been a great ride that I am thrilled to continue," Burnop said. "Jon and I will be the next great team in the booth and I am looking forward to getting started this summer."
Andrew Allegretta, Tech's assistant director of broadcasting, will also provide coverage of the Hokies next season.
"Hokie Nation is like family to me, so I'm excited for the opportunity to help grow our broadcasts across all sports and all platforms to provide the best fans in college athletics with the best possible coverage," Allegretta said.
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