The "Voice of the Jackets" reminisces

"The Truth shall set you free!"

That phrase about Calvin Johnson was first coined by Tech's Director of Broadcasting, Wes Durham, and is just one of many he has laid claim to. Durham makes his mark on Tech history every gameday, when he serves as the "Voice of the Jackets."

Durham is in his 12th year as the play-by-play announcer for Tech football and basketball teams, and when he is not busy as the voice of the Atlanta Falcons, he finds time to call a few Tech baseball games as well.Durham is the son of the University of North Carolina's football and basketball play-by-play announcer, Woody Durham. The elder Durham has been the legendary voice of the Tar Heels since 1971.

"He didn't get involved in being in the booth with me until I guess his junior year in high school," Woody Durham said. "He told me that summer that he thought he would like to get in to sports brodcasting."

Wes Durham knew early on what his future held for him.

"From the point I was 14 or 15 years old up until now, I have [only] seen three dozen games from [the stands]," Wes Durham said. "Games that I could work, I worked, and I gained a lot of experience early on. It was fun, and it was an unbelievable experience."

He was able to put into practice what he learned in college at Elon University where he gained quality experience in the broadcasting industry.

"I was very lucky to go to a school where they didn't really have anybody doing any [broadcasting]," Wes Durham said. "I had a chance to do 150 football and basketball games in college. I thought that experience was an unbelievable springboard for me into a pool of people who were already there."

After Durham finished up at Elon, he struggled to find a job, but was finally able to land a gig with Radford University, serving as the play-by-play announcer for the Highlanders basketball team. Three years later he was able to work his way into the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and landed a job with Vanderbilt.

"When I got out of college, finding a job wasn't as easy as I anticipated, but I finally found one," Wes Durham said. "I'm very lucky to have had a couple of big breaks. Then to get the Vanderbilt job at 26 in 1992 was awesome. It was a chance to get into the SEC in football and basketball."

With several years of experience under his belt, Durham decided that a change of scenery to Atlanta was the best for his professional broadcasting career.

"To come here in 1995 was, believe it or not, a pretty easy decision. I've been offered three or four jobs since with a chance to go to, but I decided that this would be the best fit for me long-term."

For nine years, Durham provided fans with thrilling play calls and witty catch phrases that have cemented his legacy on the Flats. There came a time in his professional broadcasting career where Durham needed another challenge. He needed something that would not only give him more exposure, but also advance his professional career.

"Whether you are an athlete or not, you like to compete and there are competitors at every level," Wes Durham said. "The chance to do both was a challenge that I wanted to see if I could fulfill. There was an opportunity to go up the ladder and still maintain my association with Tech. Long-term, I would like to stay here, but I had gotten to a point where I needed to reenergize what I was doing [at Tech] as well as take on another challenge."

"Also there's the exposure factor, not just of your work, but the teams that you cover," Wes Durham said. "The underlying reason is that I would like to stay in Atlanta long term. Tech is a great situation, but to be able to add this solidifies that."

With responsibilities and associations with four different sports, Durham does not get much free time throughout the course of the year and is not able to do some of the things which he really enjoys.

"There are certain things that I would be able to do in my life right now, but I cannot do them," Wes Durham said. "That's one of the sacrifices that I make during the course of the season. It's important to me not only to tend to business here and tend to business in relation to the Falcons, but also be a father to my [seven-year-old twins]. Those things are much more important to me now than playing golf and things like that."

One of the more thrilling moments for Wes Durham has been the ability to see his father on a regular basis.

"[Wes] will not be [in North Carolina] until 9:15 via a commercial flight on Saturday morning," Woody Durham said. "His mother will pick him up at the airport and makes sure he gets [to the stadium] on time for his pregame. I'll already be at the stadium. I go about 2 hours or 90 minutes before we go on the air so we'll probably see each other very briefly."

When Tech meets North Carolina on the gridiron or on the hardwood, Durham gets an opportunity to meet with his father Woody. But it is not always Wes that Woody looks forward to meeting.

"His biggest concern is not necessarily who is going to win as much as if he is going to get to see his grand kids," Wes Durham said. "My kids are the only two grand kids my folks have. It's awesome to be able to do a game with your father. I grew up listening to my dad and I love him to death. My dad has been my favorite announcer since the day I was born. He means more to me now than he did 10 or 15 years ago. His loyalty to [North] Carolina and his strive for perfection in what he does is awesome."

Growing up under his father's wing, Durham shows several similarities both on the air and in preparation.

"We do a lot of the same things in terms of getting ready for games and the same kind of preparation, but mine is a little more computer driven," Wes Durham said. "He is a little more old school and I am a little more new school. He taught me the basic fundamentals of doing a ball game and showed me the ropes and still does. He was my biggest influence and still continues to be. I learn something new every time I listen to him. I probably learn more from him than I do other guys."

He is a regular guest of 790 the Zone and hosts the Chan Gailey radio and television shows.

"He had as good a background in [broadcasting] before he got out of college as you possibly could have," Woody Durham said.