Talking treasure

For a quarter-century, Wright State University basketball fans have tuned in to hear veteran radio broadcaster Chris Collins deliver the play-by-play game coverage over the airwaves and now on ESPN.

“For me it’s not hard work, it’s a lot of fun,” said Collins.

Collins has broadcasted Raider basketball games since 1997. He also has commentated for baseball, volleyball and soccer games. For the past nine years, Collins’ color commentator has been Wright State Hall of Fame basketball coach Jim Brown.

“I think he’s been the best thing that has happened to Wright State basketball in terms of media coverage,” said Brown.

Brown, who coached men’s basketball at Wright State for 27 years, said he watches a lot of college basketball on television and Collins has the “perfect voice.”

Collins describes the broadcasts in the Wright State University Nutter Center as “a juggling act.” In addition to broadcasting Raider games on the radio, Collins and Brown have simulcast home games on ESPN Plus and ESPN3 for the past six years.

Bob Grant, director of athletics at Wright State, described Collins as a “treasure for us.”

Whether you’re watching on television or listening on the radio, Grant said, having Collins and Brown calling a game together is soothing and reminds him of Marty Brennaman and Joe Nuxhall broadcasting a Cincinnati Reds game.

“You define a place by their people, and if Chris Collins is part of the fabric of the people that are part of your industry, your profession, your organization like he’s here with us through and through, then you’re really lucky,” said Grant.

Collins has no plans of hanging up his microphone. “I enjoy what I do,” said Collins. “I’ll be here as long as they want me to be here and as long as I feel good I’ll keep on doing it.”

In addition to calling Raiders’ games, Collins can be heard on WHIO 1290AM weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. and 95.7FM The Eagle on Saturdays from 3 to 7 p.m.