ORLANDO – After 24 seasons as a member of UCF Football’s radio team, sideline reporter and pre-game host Jerry O’Neill announced his retirement Wednesday on Marc Daniels’ The Beat of Sports on FM 96.9 The Game.
With O’Neill’s retirement, Daniels announced that long-time member of the team Scott Adams will take on pre-game host and sideline reporter duties and former UCF defensive linemen and NFL veteran Leger Douzable will add his expertise to the crew for the 2019 season.
More from Daniels on O’Neill’s retirement and excitement moving forward is below.
As we approach a new football season, I am excited about our broadcast team. I wanted to take a moment to share some news and announce some new roles and responsibilities.
First, our legendary friend Jerry O'Neill is retiring. After 24 seasons, the STACHE has chosen to spend his Saturdays with his lovely bride Annie at their new home at the Villages. Jerry was an amazing partner for all of us and his work, passion, humor and friendship will be missed.
With Jerry's retirement, I am excited about new additions and opportunities.
First, I am pleased to announce that Scott Adams will be the new pre-game host and sideline reporter. As he begins his 18th season with UCF Football radio broadcasts, Scott will slide into his new position easily and do an amazing job.
I am really pumped to welcome Leger Douzable to the broadcast team. Leger played at UCF up until 2008 and then enjoyed a 10-year career in the NFL. He worked on our spring broadcast and joins us for the 2019 season. With experience working for CBS Sports HQ and NFL Network, Leger brings a wealth of football and broadcasting background to our crew. Leger will be a part of our pre-game shows working on several segments for home games and involved with a few segments for road games. For all home games and the FAU game, he will be on the sidelines with Scott offering his perspective and game analysis. As a former Knight, I am really excited to bring Leger aboard.
Chris Vasquez stepped in last year late in the pre-season to handle our producer's role for football season. Chris did an outstanding job and now will be the executive producer for all UCF Football games as well as handle all of our pre-production and imaging for our broadcasts.
Tom Morgan, who assisted Chris last season, will continue with us by serving as the producer for all UCF Knight Talk shows for football and basketball season as well as serving as a producer for UCF men’s basketball and baseball radio broadcasts.
Gary Parris is back for his 23rd season as our color analyst. It will mark the 21st season that Gary and I will work together.
The longest tenured member of our team, Frank Lovre, is back for his 28th season as the engineer of all football broadcasts and a broadcast engineering consultant for the entire basketball and baseball seasons.
Brian Fritz, even from North Carolina, will be involved as well. Fritz will assist with many production elements and work with Chris throughout the season.
The first new-look UCF Football radio broadcast will be Aug. 29 when the Knights host Florida A&M at 7:30 p.m. on 96.9 FM/740 AM The Game.
On Monday, Aug. 26, Daniels will host the first UCF Knight Talk of the 2019 season. UCF head coach Josh Heupel and other guests will join Daniels from 7-8 p.m. at Burger U on the campus of UCF. Fans are encouraged to attend the free event to hear from Heupel and others as the Knights get set for the upcoming season.