Steeldogs Welcome New Voice, Media Relations Coordinator
January 31, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Steeldogs News Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Birmingham Steeldogs announced on Monday the hiring of Matt Coulter as the team's new play-by-play broadcaster and Matt Hooper as the new Media Relations Coordinator.
Both men will replace Michael Bencs, who resigned as Vice President of Communications to accept a position with a publishing firm. Bencs served as the team's only communications director since the Steeldogs' first game in March of 2000. He took over as play-by-play broadcaster in 2001, replacing the late Jim Fyffe.
"I am confident that both men will do an outstanding job and continue the remarkable growth of the Birmingham Steeldogs organization," said Scott Myers, the team's managing partner. "I have known both of these guys for a long time, and I know them to be passionate about the city of Birmingham and the game of arena football."
Coulter brings with him a wealth of experience as a broadcaster in the Magic City. His 33-year career includes 11 years behind the camera at WVTM Channel 13 in Birmingham and 10 years at WJOX-AM 690, the flagship station of Steeldogs football. He currently co-hosts "The Morning Express" from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on WJOX, along with former University of Alabama quarterback Jay Barker.
Coulter also provides color commentary for the UAB Blazers football and basketball squads. He has also served as the voice of two of Birmingham's past professional sports teams: the World League's Birmingham Fire and the Canadian Football League's Birmingham Barracudas.
"I love the arena football game and have taken my family to many Steeldogs games," Coulter said. "I look forward to working with Buddy King, Scott Myers, Bobby Humphrey and yes, even [color analyst] Roger Shultz."
Hooper has spent the past three seasons with the Steeldogs organization in the media relations department, following a brief stint as a beat reporter for ArenaFan Online. He was hired by the team to work as an intern before the 2002 season at the age of 17, before being promoted to media relations assistant under Bencs in 2004.
"I have always considered it an honor to call myself a Birmingham Steeldog," Hooper said. "I am grateful to Scott Myers and Buddy King for giving me this opportunity and I look forward to working with them in 2005."
Hooper, 20, is among the youngest in his field in the history professional sports. The University of Alabama student is scheduled to graduate with a degree in journalism in December of 2005, after only three years at the Capstone.
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