Hometown Call: Andy Lee

When the Houston Hilltoppers take the field on Friday nights, one voice guiding listeners through the highs and lows is Andy Lee.

As the play-by-play announcer on WSYE Sunny 93.3 FM, Andy brings energy and insight to every broadcast. We talked with him about his passion for sports, his broadcasting style, and what it means to connect with the community through radio.

How did you get into broadcasting?

“There wasn’t a single moment—it was just a love for sports and news programs growing up that got me interested.”

Who were your influences growing up?

“I listened a lot to Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann on SportsCenter, plus Jim Rome, Vin Scully, and Jon Teicher—the voice of the UTEP Miners.”

Was broadcasting always your dream job?

“In high school, I knew I wanted to be involved in sports broadcasting in some way or another.”

How do you prepare for a game?

“I hope the roster is accurate! I try to talk to coaches as much as possible.”

Got a pre-game ritual?

“I usually have a light dinner about two hours before the broadcast.”

How would you describe your broadcasting style?

“I try to be energetic but also focus on time and score, especially on radio.”

Do you have a signature call?

“When I did Tupelo football, my touchdown call was ‘Touchdownnnnnnnn Tupelo!’ People seemed to like that.”

Do you change your tone depending on the team or moment?

“I try to be authentic but show reverence if the situation calls for it.”

What’s the hardest part about calling games at this level?

“Hoping the technology holds up with no engineer on site!”

Ever broadcast from a crazy or unusual location?

“Even at the 7A level, I had to do a couple broadcasts from the visitors’ bleachers.”

How do you handle calling games where one team is clearly overmatched or when your alma mater is playing?

“It happened a lot with Tupelo the last few years. You never want to say anything that makes the overmatched team feel worse than they already do.”

What role do you think a local broadcaster plays in a small community?

“For many, we’re the connection to the team they love and support. We’re also the soundtrack of the season.”

Do you get recognized or contacted by fans?

“I’ve been in the public eye since I moved to Tupelo in 2013, so yes, recognition happens.”

Most heartfelt feedback you’ve received?

“People tell me I make them feel like they’re at the game, and that’s the highest praise.”

Go-to postgame meal?

“Not food so much, lots of caffeine for the drive home!”

Ever lost your voice or had tech fail during a call? What did you do?

“My voice has held up, but I’ve been knocked off the air many times. You just stay calm and troubleshoot as quickly as possible.”

One call or game you’ll never forget?

“Tupelo’s 2024 state championship, the first in 32 years. It brought a lot of joy to people.”

What do you hope people remember about your broadcasts?

“The energy and enthusiasm I had for the game.”

Advice for aspiring broadcasters, especially at the small-school level?

“Get as much experience as possible. When you’re young, it’s okay to emulate your idols until you find your own voice—that’s where the real magic happens!”

Andy’s voice and passion help bring Friday night football to life for Houston and the surrounding community. You can catch his broadcasts on 93.3 FM, the Sunny 93 App, or at sunny933fm.com.

If you or someone you listen to would like to be part of this feature, please shoot me a message on here or my More with Gore Facebook page.