Billy Morgan, the voice of the Harding Bisons won the 2017 Sully Award winner. The Sully Award is presented by the Little Rock Touchdown Club each year to Arkansas’ top broadcast play call during both high school and college football games for the season. Morgan was honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club annual awards banquet. The event featured NFL Hall of Fame and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Allen.
The award is named in honor of veteran KATV sports director Steve Sullivan. Sullivan has 30 years in Arkansas television including 14 years at KATV, according to katv.com. Sully has been named Arkansas Sportscaster of the year three times and has won the AP best sportscast award 13 times at KATV.
Morgan received this award for the second time in his career for having the best “play by play” voice, after receiving the honor for the 2014 season. Morgan has announced games for the Bisons’ football, men’s as well as women’s basketball games.
“I was surprised,” Morgan said. “I was not expecting the award, but was honored to be a finalist. I was actually on the road with the Harding basketball team when I learned the news.”
Morgan’s first season with Harding was in 2007. He has been broadcasting the games ever since. Morgan said he feels extremely blessed by God and thankful to his wife and two sons for helping him on this journey.
“I could not do my job without a supportive and understanding family at home,” Morgan said.
After working at Arkansas State University for seven years, Morgan stopped broadcasting college games to be closer to his family. Harding being only 30 minutes from his home in Heber Springs, Arkansas, Morgan decided to get back into collegiate broadcasting when Harding asked him to announce for the Bisons.
The game, the fans and the Bisons are all very important in Morgan’s life. Morgan said he enjoys being surrounded by faculty and staff members who help him strive to be the best he can be everyday.
“I feel I get to work with a tremendous group of people at Harding, working with the athletic department and communication department,” Morgan said.
“Billy is deserving of this award because he does not try to become the focus of the game,” Scott Goode assistant athletic director for sports, said. “He tells what is happening in a way that makes listening to the game fun and enjoyable.”
Morgan’s colleagues enjoy working with him because he is professional in his work, according to Goode. Morgan is always prepared and wanting every broadcast to be done right and entertaining.
“Billy is a strong, Christian family man who loves the Lord and is very grateful and humble for the opportunity that he has to work with Harding University and its athletic teams,” Goode said.
Awards were given not only to broadcasters but the top Arkansas collegiate and high school players of 2017. Morgan has 20 more basketball games of the regular season that he will be announcing.
