ULM Warhawks

By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist


MONROE, La. – When one of the most recognizable voices in college athletics speaks, people listen.

Tim Brando brought a strong message to ULM's Bayou Pointe on Tuesday night as the featured guest of "The Pursuit," the University's signature kickoff event to start the new academic and athletic year.

"Two words that I want to express to you tonight," said Brando, a Shreveport native who attended ULM and earned a degree in television/radio management in 1978. "Buy in. That's true both in athletics, as well as academics."

The long-time sports announcer has worked for FOX Sports since 2014 and has called an array of sports, including college football and basketball, MLB, NBA and golf. But on this night, he called on the ULM faithful to rally behind the Warhawks.

"It's not about where we've been," Brando told the sellout crowd of more than 500. "It's about who we are and where we're going. What's wonderful about this reboot and the back to the future color change and the new logo, this is an understanding for us to embrace our past, even though our brand is a different brand. A new and improved brand. " 

Throughout an amazing career that saw him claim lofty perches at ESPN and CBS Sports, Brando has always been one of ULM's best ambassadors. And these days he feels rejuvenated by the direction things are headed. 

"What impresses me is for the first time in a long, long time, I think the football program (Matt Viator) and the basketball program (Keith Richard) are simultaneously being run by people who genuinely want to be here and hope to stay," Brando said prior to his appearance. "They see it as destination job and not a stepping stone. That's the thing that jumps out at me."

Brando remains an annual participant in the Warhawk Golf Classic in his hometown and is always willing to use his national platform to promote ULM. He regularly touts the Warhawks to his 114,000-plus Twitter followers.  And he notably provided the narration on ULM's video announcing the brand refresh and retro color scheme the athletic teams will wear starting this season.

"I was so honored to be on a video that looked that good," Brando said. "It does represent where the school is. It's not just about the alumni and the student body. It's about the city of Monroe. For a city the size of Monroe to have a Division I school bringing this kind of entertainment and this kind of product to it is fantastic. It's time for all of Monroe and West Monroe and the surrounding area and up 165 to Bastrop to buy in. Buy in."

Brando shared the stage with ULM football coach Matt Viator during the program and the two talked about the high expectations for the upcoming season.

"I'm telling everybody, I think you can win your division," Brando said to Viator. "I think you could possibly get to a bowl. I'm looking at what I see objectively. You know I can't wear pompoms when I'm on the air. I can wear pompoms here. I think with 17 returning starters, you're in your third year. … I'm looking at the snapshot and seeing success." 

Said Viator: "We need a little success. You'd be amazed what that does for you. With success comes confidence. For us to the get to the next level, a little success – hopefully early – would help."
 
Brando wrapped up his part of the night by imitating the legendary Keith Jackson calling a kickoff return by ULM All-American Marcus Green. Viator then presented Brando with one of the new ULM helmets signed by the entire 2018 team.

Although Brando considers his time at ULM (then Northeast Louisiana University) a "blur," he's always embraced the connection. 

"I've always felt like the school always appreciated and reached out to me," Brando said. "They took ownership of my success too. That's humbling for me."