John Walters, who has covered sports in Central Iowa since 1983 and has been a play-by-play announcer for the Cyclone Television Network since 1996, has been named the radio play-by-play voice for Iowa State football and men's basketball games by Clear Channel with a strong endorsement from ISU athletics director Bruce Van De Velde.

Van De Velde said Walters was the best choice for the Cyclone athletic community to replace Walters' longtime friend, Pete Taylor, who died in March after 33 years as the radio voice of Iowa State football and men's basketball.

"John brings everything to the table that we wanted in a new play-by-play announcer," Van De Velde said. "He has been in Central Iowa for two decades and has covered some of the biggest events in Iowa State athletics history. That background and his experience of 25 years of play-by-play on television and radio, was a key factor in the decision process. John is respected as a strong TV sports director and as a play-by-play voice. Pete Taylor would have wanted John to follow in his footsteps."

Walters, currently the sports director at WOI-TV in Des Moines, replaces Taylor, who gave Walters his first job, working in sports under Taylor for seven years at KCCI-TV in Des Moines. Walters stayed there until 1996, when he left to become sports director at WOI-TV. Walters will continue as WOI-TV sports director in addition to his Cyclone play-by-play duties.

Cyclone Sports Marketing manager Eric Heft, who starts his 20th season as color man for Cyclone football this fall and his 25th year as a radio color man for Iowa State men's basketball this winter, is pleased with the choice.

"I'm thrilled to be sharing the radio booth with John Walters," Heft said. "John is not only an excellent broadcaster but also a terrific person. His unique background as a radio play-by -play person, combined with his experience on the Cyclone Television Network made him not only the logical choice but clearly the best choice.

"Losing Pete Taylor was a tremendous blow to Cyclones everywhere. John Walters will do a wonderful job of bridging the gap and painting an honest, accurate and exciting picture of Cyclone football and basketball for fans everywhere."

Walters began his play-by-play career after graduating from Drake with a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1984. He did Bulldog women's basketball play-by-play from 1985-89 and Drake men's basketball play-by-play from 1989-1996. He also has done free-lance work for ESPN-Plus and the Missouri Valley Conference.

"I'm looking forward to working with Bruce Van De Velde, Eric Heft and everyone at Clear Channel," Walters said. "I dreamed about getting an opportunity at Iowa State. Pete Taylor was my friend and mentor. Obviously, this is not how I wanted to take on this honor. But I am looking forward to carrying on the high standards Pete set for play-by-play at Iowa State."

Iowa State opens the 2003 football season Aug. 30 against Northern Iowa in Ames.