Suns Announce New Play-by-Play Broadcaster

PRESS RELEASE – The Jacksonville Suns are proud to announce that 14-year Major League veteran, Steve Kolbe has signed on to be the Jacksonville Suns Play-by-Play Broadcaster, for the 2012 Southern League season. All Suns games will broadcast on Sports Radio 930 AM, most of them live.

“I’m excited to join the Jacksonville Suns, a great organization with a tremendous fan base, a rich history and a beautiful ballpark. I thank Peter Bragan, Jr. and the Bragan family for this fantastic opportunity. I look forward to becoming active in the community and bringing all the action of exciting Suns baseball to the fans. See you Opening Day!”

Steve Kolbe enters his first season as the play-by-play voice of the Jacksonville Suns. Kolbe joins the Suns after spending the last 14 seasons (1997-2011) as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Washington Capitals, broadcasting over 1100 games. His voice has been heard internationally on the NHL Network, XM Radio, NHL Radio, and ESPN. Kolbe broadcast the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998 and the NHL Winter Classic in 2011, and he was featured on the NHL Network’s documentary “Voices” in 2008.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Kolbe comes to Jacksonville with over 25 years of broadcasting experience. He was a sports talk show host and anchor in Baltimore, where he hosted CBS Radio Baltimore’s coverage of the NFL Draft in 2005. From 1992-97, Kolbe worked in various capacities in sports radio in Washington including talk show host, sports anchor, and studio producer/host for the Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Bullets (NBA), and Washington Warthogs (CISL).

Kolbe was also a studio producer for the Redskins Radio Network at WTEM Sports Radio in Washington, and has been a two-time AIR Award Finalist. In addition to his broadcasting experience, Kolbe wrote post-game stories for Comcast Sports Net and his voice has been heard on many commercials.

Kolbe is a 1989 graduate of Michigan State University and earned a B.A. in telecommunications. An avid fisherman and outdoorsman, he also enjoys archery and playing the drums.

Former Suns broadcaster Roger Hoover has accepted a broadcast position with the University of Tennessee baseball program and with the Southern League Tennessee Smokies as a broadcasting assistant.

The Jacksonville Suns open the 2012 Southern League season on April 5th at 7:05 pm as the Suns take on the Huntsville Stars at the Baseball Grounds.

To purchase season tickets, enquire about a party or for any more information call, 904-358-2846. Follow the Suns on twitter: @SunsBaseball; on facebook: Jacksonville Suns Fan Page; and on website: www.jaxsuns.com.