Maybe a Job-Maker by the Cospereno!!!

The end of an era, plus a great career in Oklahoma broadcast history – Mr. Bob Barry Sr. has retired from the broadcast of University of Oklahoma football and men’s basketball on the radio.

I was lucky enough to be interviewed during the half-time of an OU men’s basketball game by Mr. Barry. This was such a great thrill, as I’ve been a fan of his my whole life. He made sure that I was comfortable, showing once again he was such a pro.

His retirement brought lots of names being thrown out as the replacement – real candidates, never-gonna-be’s and way-out-in-left-fielders. There are four or five current football radio people doing games in other states – this doesn’t seem to fit OU’s style or M.O. The Sooner fans are a real fickle bunch.

Other contenders are:

• the current OU baseball announcer
• Mark Rodgers, former KOCO sports guy and current Hudiburg car huckster
• Bernie, Barney, or whatever – the voice of the Varnum Whippets
• Jim Trabor, a legend in his Superdome-sized ego
• Scott Hines (“In Your Corner”), to handle the players’ assorted “problems” (shoplifting, DUI, fighting, or boneheaded tweeting)
• various and sundry others too numerous to mention

I’m sure many hours were spent pondering, sifting, whittling and straining the candidates and ne’er-do-wells which will never have a chance to be part of Sooner lore.

I don’t know this for a fact, but I have heard the rumor that one of the only people that both Bob Barry Sr. and the new guy have both interviewed so as to have a real-life comparison to use was none other than yours truly, Glen Ray Cosper.

That’s right – at half-time in two basketball games last year – one women’s and one men’s – I was interviewed by Mr. Sooner Microphone (BB Sr.) and the heir to the booth, Mr. Toby Rowland.

In my humble opinion, both very great gentlemen know their craft and put the interviewees at ease. They have a great sense of humor and are very personable to everyone.

Good-bye, Bob and good luck, Toby – with a little luck, we’ll meet again.

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