Scotty Thurman to be color analyst for Razorback basketball
by July 31, 2014 7:11 pm 105 views
Former Razorback basketball star Scotty Thurman will join the Razorback Sports Network as a color analyst on University of Arkansas men’s basketball games beginning this season.
Thurman will work alongside Voice of the Razorbacks Chuck Barrett who will handle play-by-play duties for a fifth consecutive season. In addition to his broadcasting responsibilities, Thurman will continue to serve as a full-time member of Arkansas Athletics working with the Student-Athlete Development program. Thurman has been the Director of Student-Athlete Development for the men’s basketball program for the past four years.
“We are excited that one of our program’s most beloved and respected former student-athletes will now be a part of our men’s basketball broadcast team,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. “Scotty is not only a Razorback basketball legend, he has been an outstanding representative of our program and has made a positive impact on the lives of our basketball student-athletes.”
Thurman played for the Razorbacks from 1993-95 helping lead Arkansas to a pair of Final Fours, including the 1994 NCAA Championship and an NCAA Runner-up Finish in 1995. The Ruston, La., native is best known for hitting what simply is known as “The Shot” in Razorback Basketball history. Thurman nailed a high-arching three-pointer as the shot clock was winding down in the final minute of play against the Duke Blue Devils. Thurman’s clutch shot gave Arkansas a lead it would never relinquish in a 76-72 victory in the national championship game.
“I am honored to join Chuck Barrett in helping bring Razorback Basketball to the entire state of Arkansas and to Razorback fans throughout the country,” Thurman said. “When I think of broadcasters such as Mike Nail, the late, great Paul Eells and Rick Schaeffer, I am truly humbled to join the Razorback Sports Network team.”
Thurman will assume the role previously held by former sports information director and longtime University of Arkansas radio and television broadcaster Rick Schaeffer. Schaeffer served a combined 34 years on Arkansas’ men’s basketball radio broadcasts in two separate stints including the past 10 years.
Schaeffer will remain a part of Razorback football and baseball broadcasts as well as having an expanded role with Razorback Athletics as a contributor to the website and official publications. He recently finished his 13th straight season as a member of the Razorback Baseball radio network team, serving as the primary color analyst while also handling middle inning play-by-play duties.