Rob Hipp was living in Texas when he interviewed for the play-by-play job at North Dakota State University. When asked if it would be too much pressure to be ready for the start of football in Fargo in less than three weeks, his reply was classic. “Diamonds are produced under pressure. Let’s go make some diamonds.”
Hipp got the job. He leaves Sam Houston State University to be the voice of the NDSU Bison and sports director for KQWB-AM BISON 1660.
Hipp will call play-by-play for football and men’s basketball. He will also host coaches’ shows and radio and TV for football and men’s and women’s basketball.
“It’s an incredible opportunity and blessing to be here. The word that comes to mind with everything associated with NDSU is excellence,” Hipp said in a press release.
Hipp has spent the past three years as radio voice for Sam Houston Bearkats‘ football, basketball and baseball. Ironically, when the Bearkats football won the 2021 FCS national championship, it snapped a run of three straight titles by Hipp’s new school. NDSU then won their ninth title last season.
In Texas, Hipp was also was sports director for KSAM-KHVL radio. He’s been an STAA member since 2016.
“My family and I are proud to be in Fargo,” Hipp exudes. “I am looking forward to plugging in to the community, getting to know Bison Nation and helping to carry on the legacy of Bison Pride! Horns Up!”
Time to make some diamonds.
Hipp has been an STAA member since 2016. He is the seventh member to accept a DI play-by-play job this off-season. Ironically, two of them – Hipp and Zach Mackey – attended STAA Play-by-Play Retreats in San Diego in 2018.
Here are the seven:
- John Fitzgerald, Illinois State
- Keaton Gillogly, Montana State
- Rob Hipp, North Dakota State
- Blake Olson, Northern Colorado
- JW Cox, Northern Iowa
- Zach Mackey, Virginia Tech
- Brad Klein, Western Kentucky