[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 15, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1700
 INCREDIBLE RETURN OF MR. MIKE KEITH AS THE NEXT ``VOICE OF THE VOLS''

  (Mr. BURCHETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate and recognize the 
incredible return of my good friend, Mr. Mike Keith, as the next 
``Voice of the Vols,'' to the University of Tennessee's Vol Network.
  Born in Knoxville and raised in Franklin, Mike started his career as 
WUTK's sports director in 1986 where he provided dynamic play-by-plays 
and captivating sports analysis.
  Months after his initial appointment, he was hired by the legendary 
John Ward. Mike soon became the ``Voice of the Baseball Vols'' from 
1992 to 1998.
  It is not in my notes, but I will note that I did throw out the first 
pitch one time, and they said it was incredibly accurate and incredibly 
fast.
  Mike's career did not stop there nor did his hard work. In 1999, Mike 
took over the play-by-play duties for the Tennessee Titans, with his 
career as an NFL broadcaster spanning a quarter century.
  Mike's accolades speak for themselves. He is a member of five halls 
of fame, including the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, TSSAA Hall of 
Fame, BGA Hall of Fame, Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame, the University of 
Tennessee Baseball Athletics Hall of Fame, and being named Tennessee's 
Sportscaster of the Year 12 times.
  Mike has now returned to Rocky Top as the lead play-by-play announcer 
for UT football and men's basketball games. He is a pioneer of radio 
broadcasting and represents his alma mater well.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Mike on his return.
  Go Big Orange.

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