Gary Harris is WVUA's Sports Director. Actually, he is the only Sports Director the station has ever had. Gary joined the station in 1998 when it went on the air as NewsChannel 49. Gary has over 27 years of television experience having started his career at WHMA-TV in Anniston, Alabama in 1982. He has also worked at WDBB-TV in Tuscaloosa, WTZH-TV and WTOK-TV in Meridian, Mississippi and Mississippi News Tonight in Jackson, Mississippi.
In addition to his duties at WVUA-TV, Gary is also the host and narrator for the award winning Crimson Classics DVD series which is produced by the Bryant Museum in cooperation with the UA Center for Public Television and Radio (CPTR). Crimson Classics spotlights the great games in Alabama football history. Gary is also the co-host along with Rodney Orr of Tider Insider TV. TITV has been recognized several times as the top sports program in Alabama by the Associated Press.
During his time at WVUA-TV, Gary has done play-by-play for live and delayed telecasts of Alabama football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball and gymnastics. His experience also includes radio play-by-play for high school football and junior college baseball and basketball. "The best thing about living in Tuscaloosa is covering the Crimson Tide and being part of one of the best communities in the country," Harris said. Another highlight for Gary at WVUA is producing and hosting Football Friday, a 30 minute live show featuring high school football in West Alabama. "We do the only television show that is focused on all the great high school football played in West Alabama," said Harris.
Gary is a native of Miami, Florida although he also lived in Michigan, Texas and Alabama while growing up. Gary graduated from Cleburne County High School in Heflin, Alabama and attended Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. Gary currently resides in Northport.
Editor's Note by Stan J. Griffin: If you live in or near Tuscaloosa and follow sports on any level, than you are no doubt very familiar with the familiar face and good work of WVUA Sports Director Gary Harris. He has been a fixture regarding sports coverage in Tuscaloosa and in the state for several years, whether it be during his usual duties of anchoring the station's regular news telecasts or his great work with projects such as Tider Insider TV and Crimson Classics. I recently interviewed Gary on a wide-ranging host of sports topics and he graciously was ready and willing to help us. I appreciate his insights and his help on the interview and I think you will thoroughly enjoy his thoughts.
THE SPORTS CONNECTION: You recently got to to cover yet another national championship for the University of Alabama football program. Is this beginning to be "old hat" for you, or is it still as exciting as ever getting to cover a team on the biggest stage at all?
GARY HARRIS: It is still very exciting but I have to admit, having covered three in the last four years I have learned what to expect so the "surprise factor" is gone. I do enjoy it though!
TSC I know you are from Miami, so was it especially special getting to return to South Florida to cover Alabama's championship game this time around?
GH: Yes,it's special anytime you can return to the place where you were born.
TSC: What were your general impressions of the overall atmosphere of the title game this time around, how that atmosphere changed fast with Bama jumping to an early big lead with a lot of Notre Dame fans in attendance, and Alabama's performance in the game overall?
GH: Before the game the atmosphere was electric and the Notre Dame fans were as loud and excited as any group of fans I have ever seen. By halftime though, it was like someone let the air out of a balloon...they were deflated!
TSC: With its third championship in four years and second in a row, what are your thoughts about Alabama's current dynasty and how you think it ranks in the annals of college football history?
GH: I think this run by Alabama is as impressive as any in the history of college football when one considers the era in which it is taking place. The way the rules are set up today and with the scholarship reductions, there is no way one team should be dominating the way that the Crimson Tide is right now.
TSC: What does this title also do for Nick Saban's legacy now?
GH: It earns him a spot among the all-time coaching greats.
TSC: As far as your station's coverage of the championship event, did you feel that everything went smoothly both in terms of the coverage in Miami and also the coverage back here in Tuscaloosa of the celebration, etc?
GH: Everything went very smoothly and I would put our Championship Game coverage up against anyone.
TSC: I know the process of covering such a major event is the result of a lot of planning and a lot of hard work......Describe the thrill of being able to put together such a team effort in regards to covering such an event and I am sure it's probably a little exhausting as well........
GH: Very good question. That is the most gratifying part of something like this. It's a team effort and takes a lot of hard work from everyone on the team! I loved being a part of it.
TSC: Obviously one of your most popular roles for WVUA is as host of Tider Insider TV, which also features college football insider Rodney Orr. How long do you think conversation about the Tide's latest title will dominate conversation on the show and do you still feel a huge buzz about the title in Tuscaloosa, even a week after the fact?
GH: My guess is that the the latest championship and the anticipation of another next season will dominate the conversation on the show from now until next season.
TSC: What do you enjoy most about this show, and it seems like you and Rodney have always had a pretty good on-air chemistry... Have you also gained a great enjoyment from narrating the Alabama football greatest games DVDS and things such as that too?
GH: Rodney and I get along very well off the set and talk football all the time. I think that comes through when we are on the air doing the show. Hosting and narrating the "Crimson Classics" DVD series has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.
TSC: You also have worked with former Tide football star Tommy Wilcox on his outdoors show....Discuss that program and working with the former Bama All-American.
GH: Tommy and I are good friends as well and he loves the outdoors. Being able to take what he and the crew video in the field and turning it into a finished product is challenging but enjoyable. Of course, I love hearing Coach Bryant stories from him as well.
TSC: Although I know you really don't still have much of a chance to rest even after the football season ends, but it is tough for you making the transition from football to other sports such as basketball?
GH: It's not tough at all because I am not just a football fan...I'm a fan of all sports and look forward to covering them all.
TSC: Can you describe a typical workday for you as you get ready to plan shows such as Tider Insider and your daily sports segmentsduring the day as well.......
GH: I usually get in around 1:30 in the afternoon and go home around 11:00 at night. Of course my schedule varies depending on what goes on. Once I get in, I am busy writing, editing and producing the shows.
TSC: You have been with WVUA since the very beginning and I know you have worked with a variety of people during your time, with some having moved on to other cities and other news jobs. Are you still perfectly happy and content being a key part of the Tuscaloosa sports scene and the Tuscaloosa community overall. Would you still like to be in the same role, say maybe 10 years from now? What do you enjoy most about being the sports anchor in Tuscaloosa, other than obviously being able to cover championship teams on a yearly basis?
GH: I love working at WVUA-TV and living in Tuscaloosa. I don't know if I will be here in ten years from now, but if I am I hope I am still as happy as I am now. The best thing about being a sportscaster here in Tuscaloosa is that people love sports. It isn't a "part time" love either. People love sports "all the time" here...win or lose. It's a great sports town!
TSC: WVUA is a unique station in that many University of Alabama journalism students gain a great deal of education, and really begin their careers by working at the station. Do you get a lot of joy or satisfaction seeing these students begin to bloom into full-fledged journalists?
GH: I really do. We have former students working all over the country at different stations. It is a very rewarding aspect of my job.
TSC: Are there any other projects that you would like to be involved with in the future, including other possible DVDS and maybe even books at some point?
GH: I have thought about writing a book. It is something that interests me. I would like to do more play by play in the future as well.
TSC: Who were some of your main journalist influences, whether it be sports or news, and are there some that you can name now that are some of your favorites, whether it be national or local writers/announcers, in terms of their style or things that really impress you about them?
GH: Growing up, I was a huge fan of Curt Gowdy, Howard Cosell, Keith Jackson, Jim Simpson and Pat Summerall. While I was in high school, I enjoyed watching Herb Winches when he was on in Birmingham. Currently, I like watching Jim Nantz and I have always admired Brent Musberger. I also really enjoy listening to Eli Gold call Alabama football on the radio. Eli is a real pro.
TSC: Early thoughts about an Alabama three-peat?
GH: Right now today, I really like Alabama's chances to make it three in a row. A great program with the best coach in the game. It's a terrific combination!
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