Steve Jones: Iconic Veteran Voice of Penn State Crowned ESPN’s Best National Play-by-Play Announcer of the Year
“Voice of the Lions: Steve Jones Named ESPN’s Best National Play-by-Play Announcer of the Year”
For more than four decades, the unmistakable voice of Steve Jones has echoed through Beaver Stadium, resonated across basketball courts, and traveled into the homes of generations of Penn State fans. This week, ESPN honored that legacy by naming Jones the Best National Play-by-Play Announcer of the Year, a distinction that underscores not only his broadcasting excellence but also his deep imprint on the culture of college sports.
Jones, affectionately known as the Voice of the Nittany Lions, has been the trusted narrator of Penn State football and basketball since the early 1980s. His career has spanned legendary eras of Penn State athletics—from Joe Paterno’s storied football reign to the program’s modern evolution—making his voice an inseparable part of the university’s identity.
A Career Built on Passion and Precision
Jones is celebrated not just for his flawless delivery and encyclopedic knowledge of the game, but also for his unique ability to capture moments with both drama and dignity. Whether calling a nail-biting fourth-quarter touchdown, a buzzer-beating three-pointer, or offering perspective during difficult times, Jones has always struck the right tone. His broadcasts have become a masterclass in how sports should sound: exciting, insightful, and deeply authentic.
“Steve has that rare ability to make every fan feel like they’re right there in the stands, living the moment,” an ESPN executive remarked in announcing the award. “He embodies the very best of what play-by-play broadcasting can be.”
The Voice Behind the Memories
To Penn State alumni and fans, Jones is more than an announcer—he is the keeper of their collective memory. His calls are woven into the emotional fabric of Happy Valley: the roars of White Out games, the triumphs of bowl victories, the heartbreaks and comebacks. For those who can’t be in the stadium, his voice has been the bridge between the field and their hearts.
Beyond football, Jones’ versatility shines. He has lent his voice to Penn State basketball, minor league baseball, and countless other platforms, always with the same clarity, warmth, and professional integrity that has made him a trusted figure in sports broadcasting.
A Legacy Cemented
With this ESPN honor, Jones joins an elite circle of broadcasting legends recognized for shaping the way America experiences sports. But for him, the award is more than a personal achievement—it’s a reflection of the community he has served for so long.
“This recognition is really about Penn State,” Jones said humbly in a recent interview. “I’ve been fortunate to tell the story of a program, a university, and a family of fans that mean the world to me. This award belongs to them as much as it does to me.”
Looking Ahead
As he continues to call games with the same enthusiasm he had on day one, fans can rest assured that the voice they’ve come to cherish will keep narrating the next chapter of Penn State athletics.
In a world where sports are constantly changing, Steve Jones remains a steady constant—an iconic voice, a trusted guide, and now, ESPN’s National Play-by-Play Announcer of the Year.
