Nail To Replace Eells In Broadcast Booth

Mike Nail was named the replacement for long-time radio announcer and broadcaster Paul Eells, who was killed in an automobile accident on July 31. Nail will take over play-by-play duties on an interim basis for University of Arkansas football games for the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network this fall.

“Paul Eells can never be replaced,” Nail said in an Aug. 9 release that was mutually announced by UA athletic director Frank Broyles and KATV president and general manager Dale Nicholson.

“Reality is however, we move forward. I know when I step into that broadcast booth on Sept. 2 [for the Hogs’ season opener against Southern California in Fayetteville], I will feel as if I have invaded hallowed space.”

Broyles called Nail the “logical choice” while Nicholson said he believed it was in the best interest of Razorbacks fans to provide them with an announcer “they are familiar with.”

Nail, a Fayetteville native, already is the play-by-play announcer for Arkansas basketball games. He has worked for KHBS/KHOG, Channels 40/29, and KNWA, Channels 24/51, in recent years.

Eells was the sports director at KATV, Channel 7, in Little Rock and served as the “Voice of the Razorbacks” for 28 seasons.

He was named Associated Press Arkansas Sportscaster of the Year a record 11 times and was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame earlier this year. Eells was given the Associated Press Award for “Best Sports Play-By-Play” in 1980 and 1990-1995.

ARSN is a division of KATV, which is a subsidiary of Allbritton Communications Co. of Washington, D.C., and owns rights to radio broadcasts of Razorbacks football and basketball games.