Meet the 2019 Award Winners: Alabama Sportscaster JD Byars

Today’s award spotlight is on NSMA 2019 Alabama Sportscaster of the Year, JD Byars. Byars calls University of South Alabama football and basketball for Jaguar Sports Properties. The University of North Alabama graduate has also served as the Director of Broadcasting for the past 7 years. Byars also does Play-by-Play FBS College Football across a variety of ESPN platforms and college basketball. Prior to Football Championships, he also hosts 2-Hour live Wall-to-Wall ESPN-3 “Pre-Game” and “Post-Game” programs. Hosts a weekly remote call-in radio show with head coaches called Coach’s Shows.

This was Byars's first-ever win as Alabama’s Sportscaster of the year.

Byars briefly spoke with NSMA on his career and other thoughts regarding the industry.

NSMA: What was your career path like on the way to your current position?

JD Byars: In 1994, while working as a disc jockey, I began broadcasting high school football and basketball games. Four years later (1998), while a TV News & Sports reporter, I was hired to be the Voice of the program where I played collegiately (Univ of North Alabama). In 2010, I was hired full-time as a member of the UNA Athletic Department to broadcast games, grow their Division II Radio Network reach and raise significant revenue by leveraging sponsorship assets. In 2014, Division I FBS, Sun Belt Conference member, University of South Alabama desired to bring all multi-media rights in-house and pattern the same program I developed at North Alabama while also serving as their primary play-by-play Voice of the Jaguars. In 2018, I was also assigned to be a lead play-by-play talent for ESPN+ telecasts which originate from the Jaguar campus in Mobile, AL.

NSMA: What is your favorite thing about your job?

JB: I enjoy the brotherhood and relationships built in this business. Broadcasters, whether they do PBP, color, sidelines, engineer, or produce...we all go through the same issues and experience the highs and lows, time away from family, technical issues in sub-par facilities and we lean on each other for some great stories while archiving tremendous memories along the way. It's fun keeping up with each other's career and families while also supporting and praying for each other when times can get difficult or frustrating.

NSMA: What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

JB: I can name several big games and exciting plays, but I would have to say the surprise in January of this year when I was notified that I was recognized by my own peers with the NSMA award. I was so humbled. A month later I won the Alabama Broadcasters Association award for large market Sportscaster but the NSMA recognition means a lot because of who votes on it and the responsibility that comes with membership. We are all responsible for helping the next generation of broadcasters and sportswriters.

NSMA: What is the best piece of advice you have for people pursuing a career in sports media?

JB: Enjoy the process. Embrace the grind and understand that paying your dues in low or non-paying jobs will make you better than someone who has a grand job handed to them early. You will be a better co-worker and professional for having worked your way up through high school, JUCO, NAIA, Division II, etc...because you will appreciate the better days that are ahead for those who do not give-up. Use those early assignments to improve every day, ask for help, prep like crazy and go on-air each time like it's a live audition for two reasons. #1: You never know who's listening. #2: Always trying to be your best can only make you better.

Written by NSMA intern, Brian Cohen