[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1401-E1402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       REMEMBERING CARL STEPHENS, THE VOICE OF AUBURN UNIVERSITY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I note the passing 
of a beloved South Alabama broadcaster and familiar voice of Auburn 
University football. Mr. Carl Stephens passed away August 1, 2012, at 
the age of 77.
   A native Alabamian, Carl Stephens was attracted to sports and 
broadcasting early in life, taking the mic as a sportscaster at the age 
of ten in his native Gadsden. He later served as student manager of the 
college radio station while at the University of Alabama. After 
graduation, Carl Stephens began his television career with WSFA-TV in 
Montgomery, which spanned from 1957 to 1998.
   His booming, pleasant voice and professional over-the-air delivery 
were for decades synonymous with WSFA News. However, for many 
Alabamians he was best known as host of a popular children's cartoon 
show in the late 1950s and co-anchor of the Auburn Football Review for 
many years.
   As Sports Director at WSFA-TV in Montgomery from 1963-75, Carl 
Stephens served as the producer and host of Coach Ralph ``Shug'' 
Jordan's weekly television show where the popular Auburn phrase, 
``You're so right, Carl,'' was born. Following Carl Stephens' opening 
comments of each show, Coach Jordan would respond with, ``You're so 
right, Carl.''
   Along with his duties as host of the Auburn Football Review and 
responsibilities at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Mr. Stephens also served as 
the PA announcer at Auburn basketball and baseball games and as the 
voice of the Auburn Marching Band at football games.
   In addition to his work for Auburn, Mr. Stephens was the public 
address voice for the first 15 Southeastern Conference Football 
Championship games, 14 SEC Basketball Tournaments and six SEC Baseball 
Tournaments. Mr. Stephens also did public address work for NCAA 
Basketball Tournament games in Birmingham.
   Prior to the 1973 Auburn football season, Mr. Stephens was asked to 
take on additional responsibility with Auburn as its public address 
announcer at the old Cliff Hare Stadium. Mr. Stephens held the PA 
duties at Auburn football for three seasons before moving to Columbia, 
S.C., to serve as Program Director for WIS-TV for two years.
   Carl Stephens returned to Montgomery in 1978 as Program/Promotions 
Manager for WSFA and resumed his PA duties at Jordan-Hare Stadium for 
the 1979 Auburn football season, which he has held ever since.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Alabama, I wish to extend 
condolences to his wife, Mary, son Richard, daughter Sandra and entire 
family. Carl will be missed.

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