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Want to direct our news? Our sports? And, oh yeah, our programming? Want to produce and host our pregame shows? How about the coaches\u2019 show \u2026 for both men\u2019s and women\u2019s sports? For decade upon decade, Tom Roberts answered every call, fulfilling his commitment to Alabama broadcasting with wisdom, tirelessness, and a large dose of humility. And this is why the Alabama Broadcasters Association is proud to induct him into the ABA\u2019s Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, I\u2019m sixty-one now and I worked in broadcasting my whole career entirely in this state,\u201d says Roberts. \u201cSo, yeah. This award is truly nice because this is where I have my roots.\u201d<\/p>\n
We have junior high teacher Margaret Black to thank for setting Roberts on the right course. \u201cShe recognized that I was a pretty good student and she recommended me to her husband, Jack, who was the general manager of the radio station and the publisher of a weekly newspaper in Fayette. So, at sixteen, I started working as a proofreader.\u201d![\"\"](\"http:\/\/al-ba.com\/wp2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Tom-with-Coach-Bryant-scaled-e1690990535180-225x300.jpg\")
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It wasn\u2019t long before Black asked Roberts to take a weekend shift at the station. \u201cI worked Saturday and Sunday from noon to sign off. But my mother insisted that I go to church on Sundays,\u201d he chuckles. \u201cSo, Jack came and filled in until I could get back from church.\u201d<\/p>\n
Roberts went to school at the University of Alabama, majoring in broadcasting. He eventually took a job working for Burt Bank who started radio stations WTBC-AM and WUOA-FM in Tuscaloosa. Roberts filled the roles of news director, sports director, and programming director.<\/p>\n
From there Roberts moved to WVTM-TV in Birmingham where he started as a late-night anchor, moving up to news director in the span of three years. It was in 1979 that Charlie Thornton got in touch with Roberts.<\/p>\n
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\u201cCharlie was not only the sports information guy, but he was also Coach Bryant’s closest advisor,\u201d explains Roberts. \u201cCharlie calls me one day and says, \u2018We need a guy to do scores on our football games. Would you be interested?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cAfter I got up off the floor, I said \u2018yes, sir\u2019,\u201d Roberts laughs. \u201cI never asked about getting paid or if there would be travel or anything!\u201d<\/p>\n
That was the beginning of Roberts\u2019 long association with Alabama athletics. \u201cI worked with the Alabama Radio Network, the Alabama Sports Network, and the Crimson Tide Sports Network,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd I produced and\/or hosted the football coach\u2019s show, the gymnastics coach\u2019s show and the basketball coach\u2019s show\u2026I did a little bit of everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Friend and fellow broadcaster Barry Copeland thinks Roberts is being quite modest. \u201cHe was the consummate professional and made an impact in all areas of the industry. I can’t think of a better person to be included in the Hall of Fame than Tom Roberts,\u201d says Copeland. \u201cIf I had to say one thing that has him included in that august body more than anything else, it’s his integrity, The way with which he went about his work was a positive stamp on the industry here in the state of Alabama.\u201d![\"\"](\"http:\/\/al-ba.com\/wp2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Tom-with-Stallings-300x203.jpg\")
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Jimmy Carter, also a friend and fellow broadcaster agrees. \u201cTom was a lighthouse. He\u2019s going to be there in a storm and he\u2019s not going to fail,\u201d says Carter. \u201cOn the air, he’s just as stable. And as an interviewer, he was unflappable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember being in the there when Tom was doing the coach\u2019s show with Saban. They\u2019d just lost the game with Auburn \u2013 which doesn\u2019t happen. I\u2019d have been scared to death,\u201d laughs Carter. \u201cThat’s a pressure situation. And Tom handled it perfectly. You know, he’s just a calming force.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cI always had a philosophy of working as hard as I possibly can. But you have to have some fun, too,\u201d says Roberts. \u201cWhether it was in the newsroom, in a stadium, at a basketball court …
\nlife is too short not to enjoy what you’re doing. And you meet some really good people. We had a great time!\u201d<\/p>\n
After working 36 years with the university, Roberts retired in 2015. So, these days if you call Tom, it better be for lunch.<\/p>\n
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Want to direct our news? Our sports? And, oh yeah, our programming? Want to produce and host our pregame shows? How about the coaches\u2019 show \u2026 for both men\u2019s and women\u2019s sports? For decade upon decade, Tom Roberts answered every call, fulfilling his commitment to Alabama broadcasting with wisdom, tirelessness, and a large dose of … Continue reading Tom Roberts<\/span>