Tennessee will have an entirely new radio lineup next season.
The Vol Network will officially have an entirely new basketball broadcast team next season. Bert Bertelkamp, the beloved color analyst for Tennessee basketball, announced his decision to retire following the season on Friday morning.
His decision follows longtime lead voice Bob Kesling’s decision to retire following the season. Voice of the Tennessee Titans and VFL Mike Keith has been hired to follow Kesling on both the basketball and football side.
“Being the Vol Network’s color analyst for men’s basketball the last 26 years has been an honor and a privilege,” Bertelkamp said via UTSports.com. “I have been blessed to meet many great people and have had the opportunity to develop numerous lifelong relationships. The bottom line is it has been a wonderful experience and I will always be grateful for the opportunity.”
Bertelkamp, a former Tennessee guard in the late 70s, brought the energy to the Tennessee radio broadcasts. His catchphrases ‘Money!’ and ‘Talk to me!’ have become synonymous with Tennessee basketball over the last couple of decades. Bertelkamp has worked with Kesling since 1999.
Both Bertelkamp and Kesling will call their final Tennessee home game at Food City Center on Saturday, where the Volunteers will welcome South Carolina.
So Mike Keith will now have a new color analyst to go along with his new role calling basketball. Keith’s color analyst on the football side has yet to be announced.
As badly as the Tennessee radio broadcast needed a shot in the arm, it’s going to be difficult to replace Bert. We’re really witnessing the end of an era here, but at the same time Keith is going to be really good. It will be interesting to see which route they take to round out both booths.