(December 4, 2015) After 18 years in play-by-play, Chris Labar has made it to NCAA Division I. An STAA member, Labar is the new voice of University of Cincinnati women’s basketball.
Labar has very much enjoyed his first two weeks on the job.
“I really like the people at UC,” he says. “I appreciate their trust in me and willingness to allow me to personalize each broadcast. They ask for my input and I haven’t once been told no on any request. From a competitive standpoint, I believe in their program and hope to be part of a pleasant surprise this season.”
Labar’s hiring was the second domino in a process that started in October. It was then that the University of Maryland Eastern Shore asked STAA to recommend a broadcaster for their men’s basketball and a local minor league baseball team. STAA member and UC women’s basketball voice Brendan Gulick accepted that position. STAA then recommended Labar to UC.
“Candidly, I would not have this job if it were not for [STAA],” says Labar. “The job opened up quite suddenly and through [STAA CEO] Jon Chelesnik’s initiation, I was able to get in front of the athletics staff at UC.”
Labar has been doing play-by-play since 1997 when he started brokering radio and TV time for college and high school sports. For the past three winters, Labar has been the voice of women’s basketball at Bellarmine University in Lousiville, KY. He has also handled TV broadcasts for the Indiana state high school basketball tournament and for a local professional indoor football league team.
Accepting the UC position was not an easy decision. Labar already had a role doing interviews on University of Kentucky men’s basketball broadcasts. Eventually, though, he followed his passion. “I’m a play-by-play guy and that’s what I enjoy doing the most.”
Labar has been an STAA member since 2013.
“I had always heard others speak of [Jon Chelesnik’s] attention to detail and client focus. I can’t say enough good things about his time allocation and support during this process. There are countless others on STAA and Jon was always available and resourceful,” says Labar.
“I’m excited to begin this new chapter!”
(Visit Chris’s STAA Talent Page).