‘Thrilled’ Eli Gold to do Jacksonville State baseball telecasts, plans to call football

Eli Gold, the former Voice of the Alabama Crimson Tide, will take over the television duties for Jacksonville State baseball this season.

Gold, who mentioned last week he was in talks with two college athletic programs, confirmed the news to AL.com on Thursday.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Gold, 70, told AL.com. “I’ve known the people at JSU for many years. I’m looking forward to working with (athletic director) Greg Seitz. They’ve made some very nice strides here recently, winning a bowl game last year and so on.”

The Anniston Star was the first to report the news.

Gold shared that long-time broadcaster Mike Parris will remain. Assistant sports information director Logan Maddox, who had done broadcasts for a number of sports, stepped down to take another job.

The long-time Alabama broadcaster said JSU’s move to Conference USA has presented more opportunities for telecasts.

“I was thrilled to be offered the position,” Gold said.

The plan, Gold said, is take on additional sports and duties for Jacksonville State, including football.

“As we go along the sports calendar, we will announce other things as we go,” Gold told me on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5

For now, however, his focus will be Jacksonville State baseball. He makes his broadcast debut March 19 when JSU hosts Samford on ESPN+.

“From a purist standpoint, TV guys have to speak a lot less than radio guys,” Gold explained when asked about stepping in front of the camera. “In radio, you are drawing the entire picture. In TV, you are putting captions on a picture that is already there. There’s a different style to it, certainly.

“I’ve done a lot of TV in the past. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a great opportunity.”

Last week and less than a week after the former Alabama broadcaster was named the play-by-play announcer for the Nashville Kats, Gold revealed to me on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 he had gotten interest for his broadcasting services. Gold said Thursday he will continue in his job with the Kats.

The Crimson Tide Sports Network announced last month it was not renewing the 70-year-old Gold’s contract. Chris Stewart will take over play-by-play duties.

RELATED: Gold on Nick Saban’s call, what Alabama offered, when he knew ‘something was up’

Gold had been the voice of the Crimson Tide for 35 years. He returned to partial duty calling home games and the Iron Bowl last season after missing all of 2022 fighting cancer.

“I’ll take a look and see if it is something I want to do,” Gold said of the potential opportunities. “We haven’t talked dollars and cents or anything like that. I love what I do. I love the college game.

“I wish it were to be Alabama forever and ever, but that’s not going to be the case.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.