COUGARS

FROM PULLMAN -- Lots of information coming your way after the jump, but here's the gist -- Bill Moos announced on 710 AM in Seattle today that the Cougars' radio broadcasts will now be done by a three-man crew, with Bob Robertson still calling the play-by-play, and Bud Nameck and former WSU receiver Shawn McWashington alongside him helping out. Jessamyn McIntyre, currently a producer at 710 ESPN, will report from the sidelines. And the bigger news for those of you on the west side -- WSU football and basketball games will now be broadcast on 710 AM (KIRO), which Moos called the new voice of the Cougars.

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First, let's address Robertson's role. According to Moos, Robertson is still the lead play-by-play man, while Nameck and McWashington will be there to "help out." Moos said he's hoping it will be similar to old Monday Night Football broadcasts, with "constant conversation" and insight from different angles. That, of course, will include McIntyre, who Moos said comes from a football family.

Here's what Moos said, asked if Robertson and Nameck will split play-by-play duties: "No, it’ll be Bob’s. He and I had a long talk about that. He told me, 'Bill, if you ever feel that I’m an embarrassment or anything to the program, you’ve got to let me know.' My feeling is that Bob is no embarrassment. He is synonymous with Cougar football and he will call the play-by-play. Bud will be there to help him, as will Shawn and they’ll have roles that are being defined as we speak."

He continued later: "... To have Bud in the position when the transition needs to be made, if it does, he’s there. We don’t know yet when that could happen or if it will. There’s no timeline there. Our fans need to know that we’re going to have a first class production up there regardless who’s throwing the fastballs. As we speak right now it’s still Bob."

So it remains to be seen how things will shake out once fall rolls around. I'm hoping to get Moos on the phone before the day is over to get a few more details on that end.

Moos described McWashington as an "articulate gentleman," adding: "I couldn’t help but want to learn more about Shawn, find out what his background is academically, his real sense and knowledge of the game. (He) really brings some of our younger fans -- those that are from the Rose Bowl era there that can relate to him. I think he’s going to be a super addition."

Moos said he's particularly proud of the school's new deal with KIRO, calling the station the new voice of the Cougars. The Seahawks and Mariners will still take precedent if there is a scheduling conflict, but Moos said if that's the case, games could still be carried by 770 AM, as they have been in the past.

Ultimately, Moos said, KIRO is where the Cougars needed to be.

"To be mentioned in the same breath as the Mariners and the Seahawks, that’s pretty special," Moos said. "That’s where we want to be. When I think of sports in Western Washington and the greater Seattle area, I think of KIRO."

Back more with later.

Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple

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