Mike Keith describes how one of the most significant events in Tennessee’s history made him decide to rejoin the Vols.
On Thursday, the Tennessee Volunteers discovered their voice. The University of Tennessee announced a veteran Tennessee Titans play-by-play commentator to replace departing Bob Kesling as the Vols’ new voice for football and basketball broadcasts.
Instead of making his first stop, Keith is returning to the Vol Radio Network, as many fans are well aware. After graduating from Tennessee, Keith worked as a play-by-play analyst for the Vols’ baseball team from 1992 to 1998 and was a member of the football broadcasts for more than ten years until John Ward retired in 1998.
His homecoming was therefore something that many had demanded and pondered when, if at all, it would occur.
It turns out that Keith knew he wanted to return to Knoxville at one point, and it was during a moment that Tennessee Vols supporters hold in the highest regard: UT’s 52-49 victory over Alabama in 2022.
When the Vols ended their losing streak to the Crimson Tide, Keith was coping with his father’s hospitalization. He told Ramon Foster, Kayla Anderson, and Will Bowling on 104.5 The Zone on Friday morning that everything that happened at that time made him want to come back.
Thus, many had hoped for his homecoming and wondered when, if at all, it would happen.
The Tennessee Vols’ 52-49 triumph over Alabama in 2022 is a moment that Tennessee Vols fans cherish the most, and it turns out that Keith knew he wanted to return to Knoxville at one point.
Keith was dealing with his father’s hospitalization when the Vols ended their losing run against the Crimson Tide. On Friday morning, he told Will Bowling, Kayla Anderson, and Ramon Foster on 104.5 The Zone that everything that transpired at the moment made him want to return.
From a thriving football team to a legendary voice coming home to call the action on fall Saturdays, the benefits of that victory have persisted for years.
