Ray Reeve

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Ray Reeve was a pioneering sports broadcaster who worked for WRAL-AM and FM, the Tobacco Sports Network and WRAL-TV during a career that spanned five decades.

He is best known as the first voice of Atlantic Coast Conference basketball over the Tobacco Sports Network—a radio network formed by Capitol Broadcasting Company in 1948 to carry the region’s collegiate games.

Reeve’s distinct play-by-play style and raspy voice endeared him to listeners throughout the ACC region. Sports historians credit the early growth of the league in part to Reeve’s compelling basketball broadcasts.

As the ACC evolved, Reeve narrowed his broadcasts to NC State athletics. He gained widespread popularity as the voice of Wolfpack basketball and football during the eras of Coaches Everett Case and Earle Edwards.

When WRAL-TV signed on the air in 1956, Reeve was its first Sports Director and Sports Anchor – roles he maintained until his retirement in 1973.

During his early years at WRAL-TV Reeve was the original host of “All-Star Wrestling,” which later became “Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.” He hosted the wildly popular shows in the late 50s and early 60s as they were recorded before a live audience in WRAL-TV’s Studio A. Reeve later turned the hosting duties over to an up-and-coming WRAL sportscaster–Nick Pond.

In its on-air and print promotion, WRAL-TV referred to Ray Reeve as the “Dean of Sportscasters,” and it turns out his contemporaries agreed. In 1967 Reeve was elected to the NC Sports Hall of Fame—becoming the first broadcaster to be so honored.

Reeve was a graduate of Dartmouth College. He died in 1980.

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Highlights for Ray Reeve

Ray Reeve having fun

Famed sports anchor Ray Reeve posing as an inmate in company photo gag
Vanity License Plate

Can you guess who had this license plate (right) on his car in 1961? A.J. Fletcher, Founder of WRAL “Channel 5” Herb Marks, AKA “Captain 5” Art Anderson, Assistant Promotion Director/artist at Channel 5 Ray Reeve, Sportscaster (Scroll down for
Ray Reeve calls USC vs Maryland Basketball Game March 1971

*AUDIO ONLY* Legendary WRAL sportscaster Ray Reeve calls the play-by-play basketball action between the USC Gamecocks and the University of Maryland Terrapins during the 1971 ACC tournament in Greensboro, N.C. The audio recording is missing part of the game, but hearing Ray Reeve call the game and question the actions of Maryland Coach Lefty Driesell makes this a classic. Final Score: USC 71 and Maryland 63. Many thanks to Ray Reeve, Jr. for sharing this home recording with us. Yes, the baby heard in the background is Ray’s 3 month old granddaughter. (Recorded March 11, 1971)
Ray Reeve calls UNC vs USC 1957 ACC Championship

AUDIO ONLY – Radio broadcast taped “live” onto a home recorder by Ray Reeve, Jr. – audio level will be low for 90 seconds starting at the 4 minute point into the broadcast. Legendary WRAL sportscaster, Ray Reeve calls the play-by-play action of this classic basketball game pitting UNC (Tar Heels) against USC (Gamecocks) for the 1957 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship. The game was played March 9, 1957. UNC won the game 95-75, and advanced to win the NCAA Basketball Championship to cap off a flawless season. Sportscaster Bill Currie provides post game coverage.
WRAL sportscasting legends

Mouth of the South Bill Currie and The Squire Ray Reeve catch up on old times.

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Ray Reeve

Highlights for Ray Reeve

Ray Reeve having fun

Vanity License Plate

Ray Reeve calls USC vs Maryland Basketball Game March 1971

Ray Reeve calls UNC vs USC 1957 ACC Championship

WRAL sportscasting legends