MADISON, Wis. – Badger fans listening to Matt Lepay behind the mic on Saturday night when Wisconsin football hosts Illinois State at Camp Randall Stadium, can rest assured he will be inside the Badgers’ booth for a very long time.
Lepay will remain “Voice of the Badgers” in a legacy role with LEARFIELD, exclusive multimedia rightsholder for the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department. Lepay will assume the role of director of broadcasting within LEARFIELD’s 13-member Badger Sports Properties team. As part of its overarching rights relationship with the Badgers, LEARFIELD oversees the radio talent, Badger Sports Radio Network affiliates and all corporate partnerships.
The Badgers’ season opener against the Redbirds on September 3 marks the start of Lepay’s 29th year as play-by-play announcer for University of Wisconsin football. This fall will mark his 35th season of handling play-by-play duties for Badger basketball. Lepay, an award-winning voice, is an 11-time winner of the “Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year” by the National Sports Media Association.
“Matt Lepay is the soundtrack to our Saturdays and has voiced the greatest moments in Badger football and men’s basketball for the last 30-plus years,” Director of Athletics Chris McIntosh said. “I’m thrilled for him to move into this role and excited for our department and Badger Sports Properties. He’s the best in the game and I’m grateful he’s a Badger.”
“It’s a privilege to be associated with the University of Wisconsin and LEARFIELD/Badger Sports Properties,” Lepay said. “I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to continue working with the student athletes, coaches, administrators, our partners and everyone else connected to UW Athletics.”
In addition to his play call duties on football and men’s basketball game days, Lepay is host of the seasonal Paul Chryst and Greg Gard shows, as well as the monthly show with McIntosh. The Dayton, Ohio native also served eight years as fill-in television play-by-play announcer for MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers. Lepay’s wife, Linda, teaches at UW in the School of Human Ecology.
“Besides Coach Alvarez, I’m not sure there’s a more recognizable figure in UW Athletics than Matt Lepay,” said Badger Sports Properties VP/General Manager Scott Silvestri. “Matt is an incredible person and an extremely talented play-by-play broadcaster. We’re thrilled, and honored, to have Matt be the Badgers’ Voice for the foreseeable future.”
The Wisconsin football season begins this Saturday, Sept. 3 against Illinois State at 6:00 p.m. (CT). Lepay will be joined on the broadcast by analysts Mike Lucas, Mark Tauscher and sideline reporter Patrick Herb with pregame coverage beginning at 4:00 p.m.
LEARFIELD is a media, data, and technology services leader 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. LEARFIELD services include licensing and collegiate sports properties’ multimedia sponsorship management; publishing, audio, digital and social media; data analytics and insights; ticketing software; and ticket sales, premium seating, and fundraising services; branding; campus-wide business and sponsorship development; and venue technology systems. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for NACDA’s acclaimed LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, recognizing athletic departments across all divisions.