ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 29, 1997 TAG: 9701290010
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: CHRIS LANG STAFF WRITER
It is quiet at Radford University's Dedmon Center, until a deep voice rumbles from the public address announcer, and everybody in attendance knows - it's time to go.
"Let's get ready to go, Radford," Neal Leahy bellows. "Because it's showtime!"
Leahy, in his first season of announcing Highlanders basketball, is trying hard to bring basketball excitement and fan support back to the Dedmon Center.
He started as one of the "Superfans", who would sit in Section 12 and cheer Radford on while heckling the opposition. He would wear a referee's jersey, so he started to be known by fans, coaches, players and officials alike. He even made an appearance on the back of the Radford basketball media guide.
"The would call me 'The Ref,''' Leahy said. "I would sit in the middle and even the officials would look at me."
The Superfan movement arose in an effort to make basketball at Radford fun again. The idea was to rekindle the tradition established years ago when the Radford Rowdies ruled the student section at Radford College games.
Leahy, a Pulaski resident and Radford undergraduate, started his announcing with the Roanoke RiverDawgs soccer team before the opportunity to announce at Radford came up. Leahy auditioned for Radford athletic director Greig Denny and sports information director Mike Ashley.
"I told the guys here I wanted to do it," Leahy said. "They brought me in to do a dry run and they loved it. This is the most fun I've ever had at Radford basketball."
His style is uncommon. Instead of just telling the audience what is happening, he puts his own style to it, using nicknames and a loud, melodic voice to hype the crowd up.
"The nicknames are a big part of it," Leahy said. "I'll say `E-Bo' instead of Eric Bowens and the crowd will start to do the same thing. When Corey Reed hits a 3, I'll say `trifecta.'''
During last Saturday's game with Coastal Carolina, Radford guard Anthony Walker had just blown past the Coastal Carolina defense for an acrobatic layup.
"Aaaanthonyyy," Leahy yells. "Taking it to the rack!"
Leahy is a media studies major at Radford, with a concentration in electronic journalism. He is enthusiastic about his work at Radford, and hopes he can move up in the world, specifically someday, to the National Basketball Association.
"My dream is to work in the NBA somewhere, doing what I'm doing here at Radford," Leahy said. "I try to look up to the guy from the Chicago Bulls, or Michael Buffer, they're stars.
"I'm sort of trying to bring an NBA style to the college game. I always try to put a good light on Radford. You don't put down the other team, you just emphasize Radford."
And he never says anything bad about the officials, he added.
Leahy's speciality is pumping up the fans at the Dedmon Center. For example, with just 20 seconds left in the Radford-Coastal Carolina game, the Highlanders led by one point.
"Let's put your hands together for your Radford University Highlanders!" he screams, all the time waving his arms in the air, looking for fan support. "I want to hear you! I can't hear you!"
"To hear people react at games when I'm enthusiastic is great," Leahy says. "You'll see me pump my arms in the air and get excited. I love it, it's great."
If you have an idea for a story or note about recreational sports, call Chris Lang at 381-1664 in Montgomery County or Radford or (800) 346-1234, extension 664 elsewhere or fax to 381-1656.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: RAY COX STAFF. Radford Highlander basketball "Superfan"by CNBNeal Leahy is in his first season calling the team's games. color.