Szoke To Return As Football Play-By-Play Announcer For 2024
April 18, 2024 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. – ECU Sports Properties/PlayFly has officially reached an agreement with veteran broadcaster Jim Szoke (Zoe-Kee) to return and handle play-by-play duties for ECU Football games this fall.
Â
With over three decades of sports radio and television experience, Szoke completed his first season with the Pirates handling all play-by-play content while also co-hosting ECU's pre-spring game one-hour Inside Pirate Athletics special. He is officially in his 30th season with the Carolina Panthers Network where he has broadcasted nearly every game in franchise history serving as a color commentator, pregame and postgame host along with handling preseason play-by-play duties in past years.
Â
"I am extremely honored to return to ECU Sports Properties for another year," Szoke said. "Greenville is a special place with a loyal fan base, and I look forward to bringing all the action to Pirate Nation. There is such a rich history with the Pirate football program and I can't wait to share all the stories from a coach, student-athlete and fan perspective. Lastly, I would like to thank ECU Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert and ECU Sports Properties General Manager Clay Walker for this opportunity."
Â
A 2022 WBT Hall of Fame inductee, Szoke is also the morning personality for WBT Radio in Charlotte where he has served as the sports director for 30 years. In addition, Jim performs play-by-play duties for select Winthrop University basketball games on ESPN+. Other past play-by-play work includes Touchdown Radio Network, Raycom Sports, Charlotte Hornets, Charlotte Knights, Charlotte 49ers and Davidson Wildcats.
Â
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in journalism. Szoke will officially kick off his second season when ECU hosts Norfolk State inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on August 31.
Â
Â
With over three decades of sports radio and television experience, Szoke completed his first season with the Pirates handling all play-by-play content while also co-hosting ECU's pre-spring game one-hour Inside Pirate Athletics special. He is officially in his 30th season with the Carolina Panthers Network where he has broadcasted nearly every game in franchise history serving as a color commentator, pregame and postgame host along with handling preseason play-by-play duties in past years.
Â
"I am extremely honored to return to ECU Sports Properties for another year," Szoke said. "Greenville is a special place with a loyal fan base, and I look forward to bringing all the action to Pirate Nation. There is such a rich history with the Pirate football program and I can't wait to share all the stories from a coach, student-athlete and fan perspective. Lastly, I would like to thank ECU Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert and ECU Sports Properties General Manager Clay Walker for this opportunity."
Â
A 2022 WBT Hall of Fame inductee, Szoke is also the morning personality for WBT Radio in Charlotte where he has served as the sports director for 30 years. In addition, Jim performs play-by-play duties for select Winthrop University basketball games on ESPN+. Other past play-by-play work includes Touchdown Radio Network, Raycom Sports, Charlotte Hornets, Charlotte Knights, Charlotte 49ers and Davidson Wildcats.
Â
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in journalism. Szoke will officially kick off his second season when ECU hosts Norfolk State inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on August 31.
Â
10/21/25 Inside Pirate Athletics
Tuesday, October 21
East Carolina Post-Game Interviews Following A 41-27 Win Over Tulsa
Friday, October 17
10/14/25 Inside Pirate Athletics
Tuesday, October 14
East Carolina Head Coach Blake Harrell's Weekly Press Conference (Oct. 13, 2025)
Monday, October 13
