Athletics | 7/15/2009 1:59:47 PM

MONMOUTH, Ore. - A new but familiar voice will join the Western Oregon University Wolves broadcast team this fall.

Former Oregon State play-by-play man Darrell Aune will describe the action for WOU home football and men's and women's basketball games in 2009-10. All Western Oregon football games will be carried by 1340 KLOO AM. Home football and basketball games will be available via free live video stream on WOU's website at www.wouwolves.com.

Football games on the road will still be handled by WOU Associate Athletic Director Russ Blunck and his Dad, “The Coach” Bear Blunck. “The Coach” will also work with Aune during the home contests at McArthur Field.

“I couldn't be happier joining Western's team,” Aune said. “I have now achieved the elder broadcaster's dream—all home games and no travel.”

Aune was the voice of the Oregon State Beavers for 29 years, from 1970 to 1999. For 20 of those years he was the sports director at KEX radio in Portland. During that era, he was named the Oregon Sportscaster of the Year 12 times.

A graduate of Washington State University (1966), Aune began his broadcasting career at KWSU in Pullman, and then spent four years in Pueblo, Colo. at KKAM. Most recently, he has been the play-by-play announcer for Linfield College football (2000-08) and basketball (2000, 2005-08) and also for the University of Portland men's basketball team (2001-05).

Aune is a two-time past president of the Oregon Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. He was the Washington State University Achievement Award winner in 1990.

“It will be a pleasure to work with longtime friend and broadcaster Russ Blunck, athletic director Jon Carey and all of WOU's outstanding athletes and coaches,” Aune stated. “I am used to wearing a red cap with a “W” on it from my Washington State days, so this will be a natural fit.”

Aune lives in Monmouth with his wife Catherine, who has been a mathematics professor at WOU for the past ten years.

“I am thrilled to have Darrell's familiar voice represent Western Oregon athletics,” Blunck said. “He is one of the most respected broadcasters to ever call a game in this state and this is a significant upgrade for us.”