Meet the 2019 Award Winners: West Virginia Sportscaster Steve Cotton

Today’s award spotlight is on NSMA 2019 West Virginia Sportscaster of the Year, Steve Cotton. Cotton has worked at Marshall University Thundering Herd Sports Network for the past 28 years, serving as the radio voice of the Herd for the past 25 years. The University of Florida graduate earned his master’s in journalism from Marshall University in 1995 after working as the Gator baseball team’s play-by-play announcer and awarded Florida's best radio feature from the Florida Sportscasters Association in 1986. He also worked as Carson-Newman College’s play-by-play announcer from 1986 to 1991 before moving to his current network.

Cotton has won West Virginia Sportscaster of the Year an astounding fourteen times, the most of anyone in the state, first receiving the award in 1998.

Cotton 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?

Steve Cotton: Play-by-play broadcaster at Carson-Newman University… play-by-play broadcaster for University of Florida baseball & women's basketball… Marshall University sideline reporter… Marshall University color analyst… Marshall University play-by-play announcer.

NSMA: What is your favorite thing about your job?

SC: Working daily on a college campus and with the coaches and student-athletes.

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

SC: Broadcasting teams that have competed for and won conference championships, bowl games, NCAA Tournament berths.

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

SC: Don't miss out on enjoying the moments and the people you meet along the way because you're always looking for what's next. "Make the big time where you are." - Coach Frosty Westering

Written by NSMA intern, Brian Cohen