Utah sports host calls the action at National Finals Rodeo on ESPN
By: Cowboy Ted
Carl Arky is a longtime television and radio sportscaster and commentator in Utah and he is familiar to sports fans across the Beehive State. He is quickly becoming familiar to rodeo fans around the world as he calls the action this week from the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. He is completing his third season as the voice of rodeo on ESPN's cable TV coverage of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's events.
Butch Knowles and Ty Murray provide the color commentary to Arky's play-by-play during coverage of the NFR and the trio seems to make a perfect compliment to one another. Arky, announcing the names and scores of the cowboys, while Knowles adds colorful stories from his days in the PRCA. Murray provides viewers with a firsthand account from a 7-time world champion PRCA cowboy.
Arky may be a relative newcomer to the world of rodeo broadcasting, after completing his third season with ESPN and the PRCA during NFR in Las Vegas. However, he is no rookie in the world of broadcasting and sports.
The Missouri native spent seven years in the sports department for Channel 4 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was at Channel 2 for another four years and K-JAZZ for a pair of seasons. Arky has also served as the voice of the Weber State Wildcat football and basketball teams and he served as the Director of Broadcast Services for Weber State.
He recently joined the radio broadcasting team at Citadel Communications, as a member of the sports staff at KFAN in Salt Lake City. The 45-year-old Utah resident also had stints at KMOX in St Louis, the ABC affiliate in Houston, and KTUL-TV in Tulsa during a career in the sports casting industry that has spanned over 25-years. It was in Tulsa that Arky got his first taste of rodeo events during his local sports cast.
"I am really happy to be with the PRCA and this feels like home for me, Arky reported. I have a great job and I enjoy every minute of what I am doing and the chance I have to meet fascinating people. Everyday is different and the rodeo world is a wholesome place and truly feels like a family. I look forward to improving as a rodeo broadcaster"
As for his favorites in the sport of rodeo, he lists Bob Tallman as the master of the microphone and Fred Whitfield as his favorite performer. Steer wrestling is his favorite event and he enjoys the performances of barrelmen Flint Rasmussen and Lecille Harris.
He listed a few of the highlights of his career thus far as the voice of the PRCA. "Joe Beaver's the best interview with Bob Lummus a very close second, Arky stated. I also like Darrell Petry's enthusiasm and emotion. Stran Smith, Mark Garrett, Dan Mortensen, Charmayne James, Sid Steiner also make our jobs very easy - not that anyone makes this job hard."
The NFR experience has also given Arky a few memories with the stars of professional rodeo. "I am just in awe of Bob Tallman and I really enjoy watching Flint Rasmussen entertain the rodeo fans, Arky said. I enjoy seeing the winner of a rodeo event, take a winner's lap around the arena too. Fred Whitfield's trademark of raising the roof with his gestures or pounding his chest after a good run is good for the sport and the fans love it."
The veteran sportscaster is pleased to see rodeo moving into the mainstream sports world on cable television and credits Commissioner Steve Hatchell with bringing professional rodeo to a large television viewing audience. Approximately 25-30 rodeos are on tap for the coming year's cable TV schedule and the PRCA recently inked multi-year TV deals with the Outdoor Network and CBS.
The PRCA's Commissioner was quick to praise the rookie rodeo announcer and the attention he has brought for the sport of rodeo itself.
"I've known Carl for a long time and I am thrilled to have him here with the PRCA on ESPN, Hatchell reported from the media room at NFR. This is a good team for us with Carl, Butch, and Ty. Carl is a true professional and he does a great job of setting the stage for our rodeo experts. He has done a great job for us."
Arky also tries to get his family out to the rodeo scene in Utah too. My family has gone with me to the Oakley Rodeo and we had a great time. Unfortunately, they're all pretty busy with their own interests (plus school and work) so they have to settle for watching the Wrangler Pro Rodeo Tour (and me) on ESPN 2" Arky reported.
He has kept busy with his assignment with the PRCA and ESPN and road trips are familiar for the veteran broadcaster. I will be hosting the Tour Finals in Dallas on ESPN & ESPN 2...as well as the Wrangler NFR.
"My most memorable moment, Arky reflected. Aside from some embarrassing mistakes...it has to be Joe Beaver coming back from a terrible first round at the Wrangler NFR in 2000 to win the all-around.title. The most memorable moment I've had broadcasting rodeo, and perhaps any other sport, was the 9th round of the 2001 Wrangler NFR when Cody Ohl tore his ACL/MCL and just wouldn't quit, tackling and tying his calf in 45 excruciating seconds and then collapsing on his back. I'll never forget it."
"The best part of my job? That's easy. The great associations and friendships I've developed with all kinds of people in the sport. The second best part of the job has to be our broadcasts from Las Vegas and the NFR. It's the most challenging assignment I've ever had and when it goes well,
the most satisfying," Arky concluded.
Arky will be behind the mic for tape delayed coverage of the Wrangler NFR on ESPN 2 each night between Dec. 6 and Dec.14 and a live telecast of the finals on Dec. 15 on ESPN. Consult your local listings for scheduled broadcast times in your area.