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Veteran AAMU broadcaster bids farewell at SWAC Championship
December 18, 2006
With his signature salutation, "so long everybody," Ike Rooks bid farewell to Alabama A&M fans everywhere Saturday for the final time as the play-by-play voice of Bulldog football.
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Ike Rooks |
The storybook ending to an outstanding career that began in 1960, Rooks called the Bulldogs' first SWAC title game triumph, a 22-13 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, at his favorite place to deliver the story of AAMU football, Legion Field.
With the exception of the radio booth that bears his name at Louis Crews Stadium and the old stadium on campus known as "The Rock," Rooks has called more games at Legion Field than anywhere else in his career. And there was no better way to ride off into the sunset than with his beloved maroon and white Bulldogs on the field below hoisting a championship trophy that had eluded them in three previous trips to the title match.
Rooks said, "It's been a great ride," as he closed the broadcast Saturday, recalling memories of friends and places that this job had allowed him to visit. He had just called his 458th career game for the Bulldogs. Over that time, he saw Alabama A&M post a record of 258-188-12, which now includes a SWAC title.
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