Member-only story
The Tri-Cities Are Blessed To Have Jay Sandos
Rarely does a team’s play-by-play announcer have journalistic chops. Rarely does a metropolitan area have so few in the media that do.
Local play-by-play broadcasters are not expected to cover the team they call with journalistic integrity.
After all, they are paid by the team they cover.
Which is what makes ETSU play-by-play broadcaster Jay Sandos such a treasure. He seems to be the only person out there asking the questions that need to be asked about the demise of the ETSU athletic program.
Case in point, his postgame interviews with head men’s basketball coach Desmond Oliver.
Take the one Sandos did following ETSU’s 71–60 loss to Western Carolina on January 4. During that game Oliver, assistant coach Joe Hughley, and guard Justice Smith were seen demonstratively arguing with each other following a Smith turnover in the second half. The sophomore transfer from Mansfield was benched for the rest of the game.
Sandos asked Oliver about Smith’s absence in the final eight minutes, which one might consider was merely a member of the media doing their job.