Hokie student Evan Hughes is an All-American in the field of broadcasting.
Evan Hughes, a rising senior at Virginia Tech, has been named a Sportscasters Talent Agency of America All-American for 2020. He is the first Hokie to receive the honor, and he also placed second among collegiate broadcasters nationally.
The annual competition recognizes the nation’s most outstanding collegiate radio and television sports broadcasters.
Hughes is a pioneer in another way as a member of the first class of Virginia Tech students to be majoring in sports media and analytics. The sports media and analytics program became eligible as a major at Virginia Tech just this academic year.
“I’m delighted for Evan and proud that he’s the first STAA All-American from Virginia Tech,” said Bill Roth, the longtime and legendary Voice of the Hokies and a professor of practice in the Department of Communication. “Evan bought into our sports media and analytics program the minute he walked into our studios, and he has since put tremendous effort into growing as a journalist and communicator. He is developing into an outstanding young broadcaster and is a true leader among his peers, classmates, and colleagues.”
Founded in 2009, the All-America Program seeks to encourage collegiate sportscasters to strive for their best. The All-American status is reserved for those ranked among the top six in the annual competition. The top broadcaster of the year is presented the Jim Nantz Award, named in honor of the award-winning CBS sports broadcaster.
The awards were announced on May 29.
“This honor is not only an incredible recognition for Evan, but also for our growing sports media and analytics program,” said Robert Denton, professor and head of the Department of Communication. “The program has grown from an option to a full academic major in just a few years. Led by Bill Roth, our faculty members have done an amazing job in developing a strong program with outstanding experiential learning opportunities for all majors. It is our goal to develop one of the premier sports media and analytics programs in the nation.”
In the 12-year history of the award program, Hokies have finished in the top 20 only three previous times, with Danny Nokes placing 15th in 2015 and Bailey Angle placing 13th in both 2016 and 2017.
Nokes, who graduated with a communication studies degree in 2015, is now the producer and a co-host for Sports Radio 910 The Fan weekdays, as well as the host of the College Football Tailgate Show Saturdays during the college football season. He also provides select play-by-play for the Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network.
Angle, who graduated in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and history, is now a play-by-play broadcaster living in New Kent, Va. He currently serves as director of broadcasting at Bluefield College and works as a freelance broadcaster for the ACC Network at Virginia Tech.
