Denton wins sports broadcasting award

By Mark Mourer

John Denton’s true color may be Horned Frog Purple, but he was honored recently for his ability to describe in detail the varying hues of college football’s offensive and defensive strategies.

Denton, a 1985 TCU broadcast journalism graduate, received the prestigious Lindsey Nelson Outstanding Broadcaster Award in May, given annually to recognize excellence in college football broadcasting. The Nelson Award, given by the All-American Football Foundation, also serves to honor dedication to the game of college football.

Denton will begin his 19th season providing color analysis for TCU on Labor Day weekend when the Frogs kick off against old Southwest Conference rival Baylor. He has filled his portfolio with an impressive array of sports broadcasting accomplishments, including assignments to NCAA Basketball Tournaments, Monday Night Football games and Major League Baseball’s Game of the Week. However, Denton said that the Nelson Award was particularly meaningful with respect to the time he’s spent in the booth above some of the greatest gridirons across the country.

“I was incredibly humbled and honored by the Foundation for their consideration,” Denton said. “The recognition really is reflective of the teamwork and dedication that our broadcast crews have had over the years. I have been fortunate to work with and around some of the best in the business. Hopefully, this Nelson Award is emblematic of the commitment and influence that my colleagues have had for the game as well.

“In addition, it’s a charge to maintain the high level of respect we have for our student-athletes and coaches, and their endeavors week in and week out,” Denton said. “It’s a mandate to keep producing a great product for our fans.”

The award was named for one of sports’ broadcasting legends. Lindsey Nelson began his career calling football play-by-play for the University of Tennessee Volunteers. He also called 25 Cotton Bowls for CBS, and was the voice of Notre Dame Football for 13 seasons. Later in his career, he provided Major League Baseball play-by-play with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants.

Denton’s versatile broadcasting career also serves TCU listeners who follow the Frogs on the hardcourt. He will begin his fourth season providing color analysis for TCU men’s basketball. He works both broadcast endeavors with TCU/ISP Sports Network partner Brian Estridge, who handles football and basketball play-by-play detail. The two have called nearly ten years of games from the Western Athletic Conference, Conference USA and now the Mountain West Conference. Throughout all the time zones, bowl games and monumental Horned Frog victories, Denton and Estridge have developed a keen chemistry that has also been recognized with state and region-wide broadcast awards.

“I could think of no one more deserving of this award,” said Estridge, part of the afternoon “Galloway and Company” show on DFW’s ESPN radio affiliate. “John’s passion for the game of college football shows every week on our broadcast. I am proud to be his radio partner.”

In addition to his broadcast details, Denton’s day job is spent working tirelessly to advance the athletic scholarship budget at TCU. Named Director of the TCU Frog Club in October of 2005, Denton has overseen record numbers of athletic scholarship contributions in just under two years at the helm.

“It’s a great way for me to immerse myself in Frog Fandom,” Denton explained. “I get to work and build relationships with all of our outstanding donors during the day, and then get to see the fruits of our labors by broadcasting the accomplishments of our student-athletes throughout the week.”

Denton has called 10 bowl games for four different TCU head football coaches, and will kick off his 221st regular season game on Saturday, September 1. He came to TCU in 1981 from Bishop Dunne High School in Dallas, and walked on Coach F.A. Dry’s TCU squad. He soon earned a full scholarship as the team’s kicker and punter, lettering all four years. Denton closed out his playing career with Head Coach Jim Wacker and the 1984 Bluebonnet Bowl. A member of the Football Writers Association of America, Denton also serves on the Board of Directors of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Fort Worth Chapter. He and his wife, Linda, have two daughters – Erin and Meredith. Denton and Estridge can be heard for every home and away football and men’s basketball game on KTCU 88.7 FM “The Choice,” or on the Internet at www.ktcu.tcu.edu.

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