MOSCOW, Idaho – Chris King will have an expanded role as play-by-play broadcaster for the Idaho Vandals beginning Spring 2021 as announced today by Learfield IMG College, athletics multimedia rightsholder for the University of Idaho. In addition to serving as the voice for Idaho Vandal men’s basketball, he also will handle play-by-play for Idaho Football after the departure of Dennis Patchin for KHQ-TV Spokane.
“Moving Chris into the Vandal football lead play-by-play chair is a natural fit,” said Tom Morris, General Manager of Idaho Vandals Sports Properties. “His familiarity with Vandal Athletics overall and relationship with the administration, coaches and student-athletes, as well as our loyal listeners, will bring a smooth transition into the football broadcasts. Chris is a tireless worker, dedicated to detail, and that shows in every men’s basketball broadcast and weekly coaches show. I want to thank Dennis Patchin for his dedication and great work on-air and wish him all the best in his new position as Sports Director at KHQ-TV Spokane.”
“It is an honor to be following in the footsteps of Bob Curtis, Tom Morris and Dennis Patchin, and I’m humbled at the opportunity to carry on the rich broadcast history for Vandal Football,” said King. “I’m incredibly thankful to Director of Athletics Terry Gawlik and everyone at Learfield IMG College for entrusting me with this position.
“I have a deep love and appreciation for the University of Idaho that has grown each year since I began broadcasting Vandal Basketball in 2013. My wife and I love our life here on the Palouse and recently purchased our first home. To have the chance to broadcast both football and basketball here is a dream come true and I couldn’t be more excited or proud to be doing that with the Vandals.”
King is in his eighth year with the Vandals, serving as the primary play-by-play broadcaster for Idaho men’s basketball. The National Sports Media Association 2017 Idaho Sportscaster of the Year, King has also previously called Vandal Football games with recent standouts Matt Linehan and Austin Rehkow for broadcasts on PlutoTV. Originally from Marysville, Wash., and a graduate of Washington State, King spends his summers calling games for the Tri-City Dust Devils.
“I could not be more happy to learn the news of Chris King becoming the voice of Idaho Vandal football,” said head basketball coach Zac Claus. “He is always prepared, brings a tremendous energy to his broadcasts and does a great job of calling the action. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working alongside Chris and I’m thrilled for him to have this opportunity. Vandal fans everywhere will benefit from having Chris on the call for big Idaho football games.”
The Vandals will certainly miss Patchin as he moves on to the next chapter in his professional life. Head football coach Paul Petrino reflected on Patchin and his impact on the program not seen from the outside.
“Dennis was a huge part of our program,” said Petrino. “I loved being around him. He’s always so upbeat and so positive. He was great to me, great to my family and outstanding to all of our players. Always professional. We’re going to greatly miss him. He was a huge positive of me having this job and a great person that I loved being around.”
Idaho men’s basketball heads to Salt Lake City today for a bout with Utah on Friday at 6 p.m. The Vandal football program returns to town in January for preseason camp, with the regular season scheduled to begin on February 27.
ABOUT LEARFIELD IMG COLLEGE
Locally based Idaho Vandals Sports Properties, led by General Manager Tom Morris, works alongside Idaho’s Director of Athletics Terry Gawlik and the athletic administration to grow the Vandal brand. Learfield IMG College is the leading media and technology services company in intercollegiate athletics. The company unlocks the value of college sports for brands and fans through an omnichannel platform with innovative content and commerce solutions for fan engagement. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, the company has long had the privilege of being an advocate for intercollegiate athletics and the student-athlete experience. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield IMG College Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
