Alan Roach, veteran sports announcer, cut from KOA position

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From The Denver Post:



Alan Roach, often called "the man with a 1,000 voices," has lost one voice.

The veteran radio sports reporter, public address announcer and voice-over talent, has been removed from his sports position at KOA (850 AM) in an economy cutback.

Roach recently returned from a two-week Hawaii vacation and was told he no longer would be involved in his two key station projects — the sports voice during the weekday "Colorado Morning News" (5-10 a.m.) and pregame, sideline and locker room reporting during KOA's Broncos coverage.

His dismissal from KOA will not affect his local public address career, which includes work at Sports Authority Field at Mile High (since 2007) during Broncos games.

Recognized nationally for his deep, baritone voice, Roach became the center of controversy prior to the 2014 Super Bowl.

As a veteran PA announcer on eight previous games, he was prepared for duty in the New York Meadowlands for the Seahawks-Broncos clash. But league officials removed him, claiming his voice might give the Broncos "a competitive advantage."

"Obviously I was shocked to find out about the KOA decision," Roach said. "I've really enjoyed my sports reporting duties and my work covering the Broncos."

Roach, 49, has been on the Denver radio scene since 1991, when he joined KRFX (103.5 FM) as an on-air talent. He came to Denver from Colorado Springs, where he was the radio voice for the Sky Sox and later the PA announcer at games.

He has been involved as a PA announcer in historic Denver sports debuts — the Rockies in 1993 and Avalanche in 1999.

Roach's busy career also has included PA work at numerous NFL and NHL events and he's been the stadium voice at Olympics events through the years.

Travelers at Denver International Airport are familiar with Roach since he provides airport information during their rides on the train system.

Roach's dismissal from KOA will not impact his numerous PA and "voice-over" positions around the country, which include commercials, movie and TV work.

KOA sports director Mark Johnson has replaced Roach on the "Colorado Morning News."

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