Pete Yanity will not return as play-by-play announcer for Clemson football and basketball.
Yanity, sports director at WSPA-TV in Spartanburg since 1990, had been the football and men’s basketball voice for the past 11 years. He took over in 2003 after the death of Jim Phillips, who served as “Voice of the Tigers” for 35 years.
Yanity was asked but declined to continue calling men’s basketball games, according to news reports.
Munson has worked with the Clemson radio network for 16 years and calls the school's baseball games. Munson will also host weekly coach's shows for football's Dabo Swinney and basketball's Brad Brownell.
Comments:
Dan Radakovich, director of athletics
“Having an experienced broadcaster like Don on staff, it’s great to be able to use his talents throughout the year. Pete always represented Clemson in a first-class and professional manner and never strayed from his endeavor as a consummate broadcaster. We wanted Pete to stay on board with the men’s basketball program and other football broadcast opportunities, but understand his commitment to WSPA and his over 20-years of experience there.”
Dabo Swinney, head football coach
“This is a great opportunity and role for Don and I’m extremely happy for him. I enjoyed working with and getting to know Pete Yanity and respect his professionalism throughout his time broadcasting our games.”
Brad Brownell, head basketball coach
“I want to thank Pete Yanity for the professional manner in which he represented our program. He went the extra mile whether it came to getting one of our games in the middle of football season, or the production of the game broadcast or television show.”
Pete Yanity, in a statement
"Clemson University is a wonderful place with so many wonderful people. What a great resource for our beautiful upstate and the state of South Carolina. The university’s reach is so impressive and extends across this country and beyond its borders. Clemson alumni and its fan base is as proud as you’ll find anywhere and that’s reflected daily in so many places.
As noted in an earlier release from Clemson athletics, a decision was made by the athletic director to move in a different direction.”
What a wonderful run it’s been. I had the pleasure of starting with the network in 2001 and then did my very best to at least hold the torch raised by the late, great Jim Phillips.
Any individual is only as good as the support system he has around him. From the many great people I worked with in Clemson athletics, to the great staff with rights-holder Learfield Sports, I am so grateful for the opportunity I had.
On each broadcast, I worked with a close-knit group of individuals and over the years we became brothers.
In the past decade-and-a-half, I also gained another family. The Clemson family. And I am so much the better for it."