Toby Rowland is in his 8th year as “Voice of the Sooners.” In addition to sitting in the play-by-play chair for OU football, men’s basketball and baseball, Rowland hosts numerous television shows on Sooner Sports TV powered by Fox and radio shows for Learfield Sports.
A two-time Emmy Award winner, Rowland spent 12 years as a sports anchor, reporter and producer at KWTV in Oklahoma City. He won the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Award for best sportscast and the Society of Professional Journalists Award for Best Sports Reporting. Toby became a household named in Oklahoma as host of the award winning Friday Football Blitz, taking high school football coverage to a new level in this state.
For the past 15 years Rowland has also hosted the “T-Row in the Morning Show” on KREF SportsTalk 1400. His show is now syndicated statewide across the state of Oklahoma
A 1995 graduate of Southern Nazarene University, Toby got his start calling games as the play-by-play voice for Crimson Storm basketball, football and baseball. He is married to his college sweetheart, Jennifer. They have three children; Trevor, Payton, and Chloe.
John Holcomb plays a pivotal role as Sports Director of the News On 6 Sports’ team. Holcomb began his career at KOTV in November 1995, and since September 1999, Holcomb has anchored the weeknight sportscasts for The News On 6 at 6 and 10 p.m. He also co-hosts the “Oklahoma Sports Blitz” statewide along with Oklahoma City Sports Director, Dean Blevins, Sunday nights immediately following the local news on both The News On 6 and NEWS 9. During high school football season, Holcomb also anchors “Friday Football Blitz,” Tulsa’s high school football show.
Holcomb attended Oklahoma Baptist University on a basketball scholarship, graduating with a degree in journalism in May 1988. He worked at radio station KGFF in Shawnee and at the Oklahoma News Network before becoming a news reporter at KXII-TV in Sherman, Texas in 1989. From there, he moved to KSWO-TV in Lawton to work as weekend sports anchor in April 1991. In January 1993, he was named sports director at KFDA-TV in Amarillo, Texas.
Today, Holcomb is entering his 14th season as the radio color analyst for OSU football, and his 11th season as the analyst for OSU men’s basketball on the Cowboy Sports Network. He has also done play-by-play work for Cox high school football and basketball broadcasts. Holcomb was named the Oklahoma Sportscaster of the Year in 2001, 2002 and 2011 by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
Holcomb loves basketball, golf, tennis, and, in his words, “about anything else that requires some coordination without total physical exhaustion.” He says, “My wife, Jeanna, and I fell in love with northeastern Oklahoma and the people who live here. It’s really a privilege to work in an area of the country where there are such quality people who just happen to be so passionate about sports.”
The Holcombs have two daughters, Melody and Maggie, and are members of New Beginnings Church in Bixby.
Moderator
Berry Tramel, a lifelong Oklahoman, sports fan and newspaper reader, joined The Oklahoman in 1991 and has served as beat writer, assistant sports editor, sports editor and columnist.
Tramel grew up reading four daily newspapers — The Oklahoman, the Oklahoma City Times, the Norman Transcript and the Oklahoma Journal — and entered the newspaper business at the age of 17, with the Transcript in 1978. His first game assignment was the Lexington-Elmore City high school football game, and he has enjoyed the journey ever since, from high school wrestling duals and regional track meets to Orange Bowls and the NBA playoffs.
Tramel was born and raised in Norman, Okla. He and his wife, Tricia, were married in 1980 and live in Norman near their daughter, son-in-law and three granddaughters.
RaLayna Kennedy has more than 15 years of experience in the financial service industry. She is a currently a CPA for Ancel Arrington Associates. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Senior Wealth Consultant for Mariner Wealth Advisors where she primarily focused on business development and client relations.
From 2002 to 2016, Ralayna was tax advisor and consultant with Chesapeake Energy Corporation.
RaLayna has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from the University of Oklahoma and became a CPA in 1992.
Some of RaLayna’s community involvement includes being a member of Leadership OKC class 37, former president of COTA (Committee of Oklahoma Tax Accountants) and COPAS (Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies). She is actively involved with several charities including Positive Tomorrows, Rebuilding Together, and Citizens Caring for Children.
RaLayna enjoys OU football, working out with friends, concerts, and traveling with her family.