Merrill Reese
Encyclopedia
Merrill Alan Reese is an American sports radio announcer best known for his role as the play-by-play radio announcer for the Philadelphia Eagles
on SportsRadio 94.1 WIP-FM. He has been the voice of the Eagles since 1977.
earning a Bachelor's degree in Communications and Broadcasting. While in college, he learned his craft by doing play-by-play over the college's radio station, WRTI
FM. At WRTI, Reese also had a music show every Wednesday afternoon where he spun 45-rpm records
from his own personal collection.
After college and a stint in the United States Navy
, Reese set out to obtain his first paid broadcasting gig
auditioning at WCOJ
in Coatesville, Pennsylvania
and WPAZ in Pottstown, Pennsylvania
.
and its FM companion WWDB
. After a few years he moved on to WIP as a backup for that station's Sports Director, Charlie Swift, who did drive-time sportscasts and Philadelphia Eagles play-by-play. While Swift was vacationing, Reese began doing the pre-game and post-game shows for the Eagles on WIP and later was assigned to do color commentary during the games. He became the voice of the Eagles in the middle of the 1977 season, after Swift committed suicide. Herb Adderly took over the color commentary for the remainder of the season. His 30 years of service as the voice of the Eagles makes him the longest-serving current announcer in the NFL, tied with Gil Santos
of the New England Patriots.
Reese's current broadcast partner is former Eagles wide receiver
Mike Quick
, who joined Reese in the booth in 1998. Aside from Swift and Adderly, Reese has previously been joined in the booth by Jim Barniak (1978–82), Bill Bergey
(1982–83, also filled in when Quick had knee surgery during the 2004 preseason), and Stan Walters
(1984–97).
In addition to his play-by-play radio coverage of the Eagles, Reese hosts an interview show on WIP the day following Eagles games with current Eagles coach Andy Reid
, Eagles players and other guests.
, a Bucks County suburb north of Philadelphia.
Reese's autobiography, It's Gooooood!, was published in 1998. The title is a reference is to his distinctive and well recognized "field goal" call, which is usually delivered in a highly excited falsetto, in stark contrast to his baritone broadcasting voice.
His wife Cynthia is a sixth grade science teacher at Keith Valley Middle School in Horsham
, Pennsylvania
, a Philadelphia suburb.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
on SportsRadio 94.1 WIP-FM. He has been the voice of the Eagles since 1977.
Early years
Reese is a graduate of Temple UniversityTemple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
earning a Bachelor's degree in Communications and Broadcasting. While in college, he learned his craft by doing play-by-play over the college's radio station, WRTI
WRTI
WRTI is a public radio station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a service of Temple University.WRTI began in 1948 as an AM carrier current station. It was founded by John Roberts, professor emeritus of communications at Temple and long-time anchorman at WFIL-TV . He'd helped found the School...
FM. At WRTI, Reese also had a music show every Wednesday afternoon where he spun 45-rpm records
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
from his own personal collection.
After college and a stint in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, Reese set out to obtain his first paid broadcasting gig
Gig (musical performance)
Gig is slang for a musical engagement in which musicians are hired. Originally coined in the 1920s by jazz musicians, the term, short for the word "engagement", now refers to any aspect of performing such as assisting with performance and attending musical performance...
auditioning at WCOJ
WCOJ
WCOJ is a 5,000 watt AM radio station licensed to Coatesville, Pennsylvania consisting of a 4 tower array broadcasting on 1420 kHz.WCOJ airs religious radio programming under the control of Philadelphia-based Holy Spirit Radio Foundation. The Holy Spirit Radio Foundation also owns WISP in...
in Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Coatesville is the only city in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 13,100 at the 2010 census. Coatesville is approximately 39 miles west of Philadelphia....
and WPAZ in Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Pottstown is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States northwest of Philadelphia and southeast of Reading, on the Schuylkill River. Pottstown was laid out in 1752–53 and named Pottsgrove in honor of its founder, John Potts. The old name was abandoned at the time of the...
.
Radio career
Reese eventually landed a job in Philadelphia as a newscaster and sportscaster at WHATWHAT (AM)
El Zol 1340 is a commercial radio station located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, broadcasting on 1340 AM. The station is owned by Aztec Capital Partners, Inc....
and its FM companion WWDB
WRDW-FM
WRDW-FM, also known as Wired 96.5, is a Philadelphia radio station owned by Beasley Broadcast Group that plays a Rhythmic Top 40 musical format. Although they lean towards R&B/Hip-Hop, Wired also adds Rhythmic Pop tracks to their playlist...
. After a few years he moved on to WIP as a backup for that station's Sports Director, Charlie Swift, who did drive-time sportscasts and Philadelphia Eagles play-by-play. While Swift was vacationing, Reese began doing the pre-game and post-game shows for the Eagles on WIP and later was assigned to do color commentary during the games. He became the voice of the Eagles in the middle of the 1977 season, after Swift committed suicide. Herb Adderly took over the color commentary for the remainder of the season. His 30 years of service as the voice of the Eagles makes him the longest-serving current announcer in the NFL, tied with Gil Santos
Gil Santos
Gil Santos is the longtime radio play-by-play announcer for the New England Patriots of the National Football League, and morning sports reporter for WBZ radio in Boston. He retired from WBZ on January 30, 2009. Santos was inducted into the WBZ Radio Hall of Fame on July 9, 2009...
of the New England Patriots.
Reese's current broadcast partner is former Eagles wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Mike Quick
Mike Quick
Michael Anthony Quick is a former American football wide receiver who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles .-Playing career:...
, who joined Reese in the booth in 1998. Aside from Swift and Adderly, Reese has previously been joined in the booth by Jim Barniak (1978–82), Bill Bergey
Bill Bergey
William Earl Bergey is a former American collegiate and Professional Football player. He played collegiately for Arkansas State University and for the American Football League's Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL Philadelphia Eagles....
(1982–83, also filled in when Quick had knee surgery during the 2004 preseason), and Stan Walters
Stan Walters
Stanley Peter Walters is a former professional American football player.He was drafted in the 1972 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League and entered their starting line-up midway through his rookie season. In 1975, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he...
(1984–97).
In addition to his play-by-play radio coverage of the Eagles, Reese hosts an interview show on WIP the day following Eagles games with current Eagles coach Andy Reid
Andy Reid
Andrew Walter "Andy" Reid is the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, a post he has held since 1999. Since 2001, he has also been the team's executive vice president of football operations...
, Eagles players and other guests.
Personal
Reese is co-owner of 1490 WBCB (AM) in Levittown, PennsylvaniaLevittown, Pennsylvania
Levittown is a census-designated place and planned community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The population was 52,983 at the 2010 census. It is above sea level...
, a Bucks County suburb north of Philadelphia.
Reese's autobiography, It's Gooooood!, was published in 1998. The title is a reference is to his distinctive and well recognized "field goal" call, which is usually delivered in a highly excited falsetto, in stark contrast to his baritone broadcasting voice.
His wife Cynthia is a sixth grade science teacher at Keith Valley Middle School in Horsham
Horsham Township, Pennsylvania
Horsham Township is a home rule municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. Although it retains the word "Township" in its official name, it has been governed by a home rule charter since 1975 and is therefore not subject to the Pennsylvania Township Code...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, a Philadelphia suburb.