ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, November 12, 1996 TAG: 9611120064
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
The headline and photo for this story were published in Saturday's New River Current but the text of a previous week's Hokie game day feature were published by mistake. Below is the correct text.
It takes no more than two or three minutes of listening to Virginia Tech radio announcers Bill Roth and Mike Burnop to realize these two enjoy what they do. And they certainly enjoy doing it together.
Amid an array of compliments and story-telling, Roth and Burnop make one thing clear: work has never been so much fun.
Roth, "The Voice of the Hokies" for eight years, has worked with Burnop as his color commentator for football games since since arrival at Tech. This dynamic duo, a crowd favorite, will stay united for men's basketball broadcasts this season as well as Burnop replaces former Hokie basketball player Quinton Nottingham for the color.
"I did a couple of games last year, so when Quinton decided not to do it they asked me," Burnop said. "I was definitely ready, willing and able."
"We've been doing this a long time," Roth added. "We have nice chemistry together and a really good following."
Chemistry that's an interesting way to put it. For two people who interact so well together on the air, isn't it interesting how out of sync they really are.
"Bill is the worst roommate," Burnop begins one of his tales. "First you have to close all the windows, all the curtains, and even put up a blanket on the window to keep all the light out so he can sleep.
"At Akron (Sept.6) it was 5 a.m. and Bill had to go to the bathroom," Burnop said. It was 7 a.m., Roth chimed in. "He bumped into my bed." Inadvertently. Then he turns the light on - goes to the bathroom. I washed my face. Then the toilet flushes with this loud noise. He turns back off the light, bumps into the bed again. Inadvertently again. He picks up the remote to turn the TV on and its up REAL loud and he couldn't find the button to turn it down! The remote wasn't working right. He's unbelievable."
Roth admits he likes to get up early, especially on game day.
"I can get up early too," Burnop said. "But that's pushing it and Akron was a night game!"
Whatever disagreements the two may have over wake-up calls, there seems to be one topic they readily agree on: food.
"We've been banned from three Kentucky Fried Chickens in West Virginia and Virginia because when Mike goes through the buffet there's nothing left," Roth joked. "One is out of business now but the other two have bounced back nicely."
That story opened the floodgates. Picture this. The year was 1988. The site was the Country Catfish in Hattiesburg, Miss., an old farmhouse converted into a restaurant. Fishing nets and old steering wheels from ships decorated the walls and hardwood floors abounded.
"They had a huge buffet," Roth began. "I had never seen a man tip his mouth under the ice cream dispenser until this day. Mike got a standing ovation from about 150 patrons at the restaurant. Today a picture of him hangs in the lobby.
"Mike asks the questions that need to be asked and eats the food that needs to be eaten. I call him my buffet buddy."
"And he's my smorgasbord smasher," Burnop replied.
The subject somehow switched from eating to driving, but the ribbing continued.
"Mike is a great broadcaster that prepares and is outstanding on the air," Roth said. "He's respected by the coaches, players and fans. He has no concept of driving, however."
He we go again. This time it's 1992, and we're in New Jersey.
"That's the last time we let Mike drive," Roth chided. "Three times we passed the same sign that said 'Brunswick, New Jersey next right.' We took a victory lap around New Jersey."
"We've only broken the law once," Burnop began when it was his turn to recite the next saga. "It was Oklahoma City. We used to travel with the team, then we started doing the Point After (radio show following games) and couldn't make the charter flights anymore. But we lost the game, packed up in record time and took off for the airport. We drove on the median - dodging cattle the whole way. We broke every law Bill broke every law."
And they still missed the flight.
"But we didn't get caught," Roth said with a grin.
"We have a good time - on and off the air," Burnop said. "We keep it light. Listeners don't like the corny stuff, they like the goofy stuff."
Like singing?
Burnop has become known for the lyrics he writes as the football game progresses and sings later to the undoubted laughter from anyone within earshot.
"Last year at the Navy game he made his singing debut," Roth explained. "It was during the pregame show and the Navy and Marine Corps bands were playing 'Anchors Aweigh.' We were coming out of commercial break and Mike didn't realize we were on the air and I didn't tell him so he just kept singing 'Anchors Aweigh.'"
"Those were the only two words I knew," Burnop replied.
Burnop doesn't supply the only on-air laughter; it seems an occasional fan on the call-in Point After show will strike a chord too.
"Some guy called one time, real serious, and said, 'Bill, have you ever done a game naked?'" Burnop said. "I'm over there giving the cut sign to cut this guy off but Bill, the constant professional, just said, 'Well, no.'''
And there's always "Joyce from Lynchburg."
"She calls, 'Oh, Bill, Bill, I just love you,''' Burnop said, teasing Roth with rolled eyes. "Immediately he just cancels everything else and let's her go on and on. She drives me crazy."
"I just love Joyce," Roth said.
In all seriousness, both Roth and Burnop agree working with each other is the best thing about their job. That and, of course, traveling, eating, watching the games, talking with the fans they love it all.
"We're Hokies just like them," Roth said. "Fans just like them."
LENGTH: Long : 112 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DAVE KNACHEL/Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech Radio and TVby CNBSports Network's Bill Roth (left) and Mike Burnop love working
together. color.