Dave Koehn takes over as UVa’s new voice

By Jay Jenkins

Published: June 25, 2008

Last November, Dave Koehn looked around John Paul Jones Arena in amazement.
The play-by-play voice of the men’s basketball program at Vermont entertained thoughts of what it would be like to call the Cavaliers’ plush facility his “office.”
He will soon find out what it feels like to work inside the facility, at Virginia’s Scott Stadium and countless venues in the ACC.
On Tuesday, the UVa and CBS Sports Properties announced the hiring of Koehn as the new “Voice of the Cavaliers,” ending a two-month national search that included 120 applicants. Koehn (pronounced CANE) replaces Mac McDonald, who stepped down April 30 after handling the duties in two separate stints since 1980 that totaled 17 years. McDonald’s most recent tenure began in 1996.
“A chance to become a part of a program like the University of Virginia which has such a rich tradition, is a tremendous honor and truly an opportunity of a lifetime,” Koehn said through a released statement. “My wife and I are excited to get to Charlottesville and become a part of the University and community family.”
Koehn got his start in broadcasting while handling baseball, basketball and football games as a student at Kansas on KJHK, the school’s campus radio station.
From 2001 to 2005, Koehn split time at two Texas universities. After handling football and basketball broadcasts at Sam Houston State, a Division I-AA program that competes in the Southland Conference, he worked at Texas Lutheran University (NCAA Division III) and KWED, an AM station in Seguin, Texas.
The Colorado native was hired at Vermont prior to the 2005-06 men’s basketball season and spent his summers on the airwaves broadcasting minor league baseball for the Vermont Lake Monsters, a short-season Class A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
While at Vermont, one Charlottesville native gained a great appreciation for Koehn’s ability. Hajj Turner, a Charlottesville graduate who is an assistant coach at Vermont listened to Koehn while watching the Catamounts’ game tape, and the broadcaster’s booming voice stood out.
“That is his strongest quality, but not his only quality,” said Turner. “Dave has the million dollar voice.”
Apparently, Koehn, a Colorado native and a 1999 graduate of Kansas, was in great demand. He was also a finalist for the vacant
play-by-play at Boise State, a job that had 200 applicants. A source privy to information regarding that search said an offer was or would have been forthcoming from the university.
“I am pleased to welcome Dave Koehn to the University of Virginia community as the voice of UVa Athletics,” said Virginia athletics director Craig Littlepage. “He brings a wonderful combination of enthusiasm, broadcast experience and talent to the position.
“Dave will help us effectively deliver the stories of our student-athletes, coaches, sports programs and department to UVa fans throughout the country.”
An avid skier, Koehn was a three-time state champion in high school in tennis.
He is scheduled to start his new position on July 7.