Paul James (sportscaster)

Paul James was a longtime play-by-play announcer on KSL 1160-AM radio broadcasts of football and basketball games involving the BYU Cougars from 1965 to 2000.

Early life

James was born and raised in Ogden, Utah. A childhood accident, in which he broke his two front teeth, made him introverted until high school. But James conquered his shyness to become the student body president during his senior year at Ogden High. James had a strong desire to compete in athletics, but his doctors prevented him from participating because of a heart murmur that developed after a serious illness. After high school, James attended the University of Utah on a Rotary Club scholarship.

Broadcasting career

James got his start as a broadcaster, filling in on weekend sportcasts with KDYL-TV in Salt Lake City, Utah in the 1950s.

He eventually started working for KDYL's radio station as well and he did play-by-play on University of Utah football and basketball games. When in KDYL lost the rights to broadcast the Utes' games in 1965, James took an offer from KSL to call BYU games instead. He also assumed sportscasting duties on KSL-TV for many years.

From 1996 until he retired in 2000, James only called football games after suffering a heart attack. He only missed one game - the 1996 WAC championship game - because of the heart attack. James subsequently recovered and returned to call the 1997 Cotton Bowl where BYU defeated Kansas State 19-15. He did miss occasional games from either sport, before switching to football only, when dates for football and basketball games conflicted.

James ultimately chose to retire from being "the voice of the Cougars" after longtime BYU coach LaVell Edwards announced his retirement just before the 2000 college football season. KSL sideline reporter Greg Wrubbell succeeded him as radio play-by-play announcer.

In 2005, James was inducted in the BYU sports hall of fame.

"Cougar Tales"

James wrote a book "Cougar Tales", published in 1984, which chronicled his experiences calling play-by-play for BYU football and basketball up to that point. In his book, James reflected on humorous incidents involving BYU coaches and players as well as frightening moments during the late 1960s and early 1970s when many BYU games were heavily protested because of an LDS Church ban on giving the priesthood to African-Americans.

Personal

Outside of broadcasting, James is a man of many talents. His hobbies include, painting, gardening and composing music. James also plays several musical instruments. He is fluent in several languages and is known for possessing a photographic memory.