NEWS 9's Toby Rowland Named OU Sideline Reporter

News9.com

NORMAN, Oklahoma - NEWS 9's Toby Rowland has been named the new sideline reporter for OU football radio broadcasts.

The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department and its multi-media partner, Sooner Sports Properties, made the announcement today.

Rowland will assume the role of sideline reporter for football broadcasts on the Sooner Radio Network.  Rowland has done several OU athletic events, mostly on television, over the last five years, beginning with the 2004 spring football game.

Rowland joined NEWS 9 in 1999 as a sports producer and quickly moved to the anchor desk.  He anchors sports on the weekends, hosts the Friday Football Blitz during high school football season, and writes and produces a special news/sports series called "Off The Bench."

A graduate of Southern Nazarene University, Rowland has been honored with numerous accolades from his peers. Rowland has won the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters award for "Best Sportscast" in 2004, the Society of Professional Journalist award for "Best Sports Reporting" in 2005, an Emmy for the 2005 Orange Bowl Blitz and an Emmy nomination in 2000.

On KREF, Rowland also hosts the T-Row and the Morning Show from 6-9:30 a.m., on weekdays.

"I am truly honored," Rowland said. "Working with OU has been a thrill the last several years. And to get the opportunity to join the broadcast team during such an exciting time for Sooner Athletics is humbling."

The new sideline reporter joins the broadcast crew of Bob Barry, Sr., and Merv Johnson.

Eric Barnhart, general manager for Sooner Sports Properties, a division of Learfield Communications, feels Rowland is a good fit on the Sooner Network.

"We're very pleased that Toby is joining our team," said Barnhart.  "He has already proven himself as a quality broadcaster and he works cohesively with our operation and the OU Athletics Department.

"With his personality and insight, he'll add a unique perspective to our broadcasts."