A Lifelong Journey in Broadcasting: From Radio Waves to Campus Halls

Mr. Tarkenton has always loved broadcasting, and in Georgia he learned how to. He first started when he was 19 years old.  Radio became his first love, and he immersed himself in it full-time, broadcasting high school football games. While he cherished both mediums, his heart resonated more with radio and, eventually, television. 

The turning point in his career was when he met Bill Hartman, a seasoned sportscaster at WAGA in Atlanta. “He was like a big brother” Mr. Tarkenton said, “[I’m] actually still in touch with him today.” His mentorship and the creation of an audition tape that opened the door to local TV jobs that took from Chattanooga, TN, to Birmingham, AL, and finally to Asheville, NC, before landing at WRIC TV 8 in Richmond in 1988.

For 23 years in local broadcasting, Richmond became his home, a place where he has honed his skills and built lasting personal connections, which he deems essential.  However, in 2011, he transitioned to Owens & Minor, a Fortune 500 company, serving as the Director of Community Relations. The company's leader, Gil Minor, was a graduate of St Christopher’s. He was considered a friend and “one of the finest people” but passed away in 2023, leaving behind a legacy that still resonates with him. 

Mr. Tarkenton first became involved with St. Christopher’s when his son started as a student in 2006. One of the reasons he likes it so much is because the school has “the kind of people you want to be around.” He continued to engage with the St Christopher’s community after his son graduated in 2012, leading him to become a full-time faculty this year. He teaches a journalism class and a broadcasting class, also subbing when he can. 

Throughout his broadcasting career, Mr. Tarkenton has worked with multiple major networks, such as ABC Sports, ESPN, FOX Sports South, Urban Sports and Entertainment and more. From play-by-play commentary for college football and basketball to senior tennis and regional golf tournaments, his career has been a tapestry of diverse and enriching experiences.

His involvement with college sports broadcasting continues to this day. Currently, he lends his voice to ESPN+ broadcasts of Old Dominion Football and Women's Basketball, as well as Virginia Military Institute Football. The passion Tarkenton has for the game and the joy of sharing those moments with the audience remain as strong as ever.