Aug. 4, 2008

Click below to hear Jerry Miller's call of the Globe of Death and ISU's win over Boise State in 1992 with color analyst Tad Pearson

Pocatello, ID --- Longtime Idaho State University play-by-play announcer Jerry Miller has officially been named the lead broadcaster for Idaho State's football and men's basketball coverage for the 2008-09 season, replacing Russ Eisenstein, who informed the university that he will be taking over as the broadcast director for Ohio University's football and men's basketball program. Interim Director of Athletics Jeff Tingey also announced that along with Miller switching to football and men's basketball, Mark Liptak will take over as the lead announcer for women's basketball. Eisenstein will be officially introduced at Ohio University on Thursday.

"While we hate to lose someone like Russ, we are thrilled that Jerry Miller will be able to bring the excitement of Bengal football and basketball to our fans throughout Southeast Idaho," said Tingey. "Jerry has a long history with our program, and I think our fans will love hearing him call games again."

For football, Miller will team with Brad Bugger, longtime color analyst, with Liptak manning the studio show. In men's basketball, Miller will team up with Bugger for home contests and selected road games, with Assistant A.D. for Media Relations Frank Mercogliano filling in on some road games. Liptak will handle the women's basketball broadcasts at home with former Bengal Kaylynn Fager. Mercogliano and Annie Anderson will again head KISU's coverage of women's soccer, and Matt Steuart and Cade Vance will be again handling women's volleyball. Miller will also broadcast ISU's Monday night "Dinner with the Coaches". ISU football and men's basketball is broadcast on the Bengal Radio Network, flagshipped in Pocatello on ESPN Radio KSEI-930 AM, and via the internet courtesy of Stretch Internet and Cedar Hills Family Dentistry and Dr. Mike Sutton.

Miller has a long-standing history not just with Idaho State athletics, but in broadcasting in general. Jerry served as the "Voice of the Bengals" from 1982-94, covering many great moments in ISU history, including the 1994 regular season men's basketball title, ISU's last NCAA Tournament game in 1987, and several signature football moments.

"I'll never forget watching the infamous `Globe of Death' play take shape right in front of my eyes in Holt Arena in a seemingly hopeless situation against Boise State." ---New Voice of the Bengals Jerry Miller

Miller most famous Bengal call was of the "Globe of Death" in 1992, a play that still resonates today with thousands of Bengal fans. With just seconds left and trailing 20-17, ISU took a Boise State kickoff and had all 11 players huddle around the ball. Robert Johnson got to the Bronco 42, and two plays later, ISU had a touchdown and a miracle win, all with Miller at the microphone. Interestingly, Interim Director of Athletics Jeff Tingey was at that game as a 14-year old Bengal fan.

"As I think back about the 12 years I spent announcing ISU football and men's basketball, there are some memories that stand out as if they just happened yesterday. I'll never forget watching the infamous `Globe of Death' play take shape right in front of my eyes in Holt Arena in a seemingly hopeless situation against Boise State," said Miller from his ISU office. "But I should've known better, because I also had the call on a bright sunny afternoon in Bronco Stadium in Boise as the Broncos had just scored a touchdown off a kickoff return to go ahead of ISU with not more than a few seconds left. Then they kicked off to us, and I'll be darned if Frank Selto of ISU didn't take that ball and run it all the way back for what turned out to be the game-winning score."

Miller's long and storied broadcast career also spans stints with KBYU broadcasting select Cougar football and basketball on television (1976-78), with KSL as the sports director and serving as a backup announcer for the Utah Jazz and BYU (1979-82), and with ISU women's basketball from 1999-2008. Miller has been behind the microphone for all five ISU postseason women's basketball tournament runs.

"I have to admit that I wasn't really a fan when I first started. But that first year covering the team coached by Ardie McInelly won me over, big time! To have the opportunity to watch a team win 21 straight games, and be a part of that was truly a treat," said Miller. "I thoroughly enjoyed working with Coach Newlee and the quality teams he put together, and I'm confident that Coach Sobelewski will continue the tradition of building quality women's teams at ISU. I'm also pleased that ISU has selected Mark Liptak to take over the mic courtside."

Mark Liptak has been involved with ISU broadcasting for several years, and he actually broadcast ISU women's basketball from 1995-99. For the past three years, Mark has served as studio host for ISU football and men's basketball, and he will continue as the studio host for football. Mark also has been the "Voice of the Century Diamondbacks" since the 2005 season, and he will continue to broadcast Century football.

Mark also is a columnist for White Sox Interactive, an online news outlet for the Chicago White Sox, and he has covered ISU athletics for many area news outlets, including a three-year stint on KPVI TV-6 as sports anchor.

Eisenstein leaves Idaho State after just one year, but he helped refine the position, bringing several new technical innovations to the broadcasts. Eisenstein was instrumental in helping the football and men's basketball games on the internet free of charge.

Jerry Miller and Russ Eisenstein prior to an ISU football game in 2007

"It was an honor to be the 'Voice of the Bengals'. I am very proud of what we accomplished, and I hope that expectations have been raised for what is possible with the broadcasts," said Eisenstein. "The response from the fans was truly flattering. I am glad they enjoyed what we did, and I am sure things will continue at a very high level."

Russ added, "The opportunity at Ohio University was too good to pass up. Being a Midwest native, and a MAC fan, this is a wonderful fit. While hopefully broadcasting some great Bobcat moments, I will be rooting for the Bengals too."

Miller's first opportunity to call Bengal football will take place in Boise on August 30th against the Boise, teaming up with Brad Bugger. Miller understands the unique role of broadcasting ISU sports, the connection it has with the community, and the history behind the microphone at ISU.

"It's an honor to be back in the same seat that Jim Fox held for so many years. I don't think true ISU fans will ever get over missing him. As for me, there's never been a job in my life I loved as much as announcing ISU sports, whether it's been men's football and basketball, or women's basketball, soccer, volleyball or softball," said Miller. "Having worked with guys like longtime sports information director Glenn Alford and analysts such as Dave Molitor, Jim Beck and Mark Cousins have also left me with great memories. I'm very much looking forward to being able to work with Brad Bugger, who has been the one constant about ISU broadcasts for years now. How could I not be excited about the potential of being a part of it again?"