NATE HENRY, KENDALL LANIER, ALEX WILLIAMS, TREVIN A. JONES. JONES IS THE PLAY-BY-PLAY VOICE AT HOWARD.
by Veonna King, For New Pittsburgh Courier
Trevin A. Jones knew since he was a child that he wanted to be on the radio.
Jones was born and raised in Lancaster, Pa. He graduated from J.P. McCaskey High School, in Lancaster, but the school had a limited radio station. Jones recalled only being on the air for one day as a guest DJ.
Jones’ love for radio stemmed from a child watching his father work long hours while going to school. When his father would come home, he would play the radio to soothe him after a long day. This made Jones want to be heard by his father on the radio.
“One day when he comes home from work, he can hear his son’s voice to relax from a long day,” Jones said, during an exclusive interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier, Oct. 14.
Still driven by his passion, he attended Norfolk State University where he started his career at the university-owned radio station WNSB-FM (91.1). After helping with commercials and shadowing current DJs he got his first show called “Mellow Madness.” The show lasted two years and Jones played a variety of music.
TIFFANY HOYD, TREVIN A. JONES AND MICHAEL LINDO, IN THE BOOTH.
Graduating in 1986 with a degree in mass communication, he then became a part-time DJ for WTJZ-FM in Hampton, Va. During his one year there he would spin vinyl records, occasionally make on-air appearances, and help with promotional events.
After just one year, Jones was let go from that position. He would not return to radio for another nine years.
It was in 1995 that he interned for the powerhouse WBLS-FM (107.5) in New York City. During this time, he helped produce commercials and assist with show productions for radio personalities such as Wendy Williams and the late Doug Banks. His productions included making sure their show ran on schedule, and recording and editing commercials for other DJs. All while doing this for free for the first six months, Jones also worked for Bad Boy Entertainment at night.
During his time at Bad Boy, he was the assistant studio director for the “Daddy’s House” recording studio. He would ensure musical talents such as Lil’ Kim, Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans were greeted by a secretary and scheduled to the right studios. He also got to be featured on Biggie’s “Life After Death” album via some interludes.
In 2003, Jones left New York for Pittsburgh to become a producer (and later a sports anchor) for Sheridan Broadcasting Network. Throughout his time, he co-hosted and produced on the award-winning “Black College Football Weekly” radio show. During his time at Sheridan, he met the Director of Sports Information for Howard University, Ed Hill.
Jones later reached out to Hill to let him know he was looking for another job. In 2012, Jones became “The Voice of Howard University” as the play-by-play broadcaster for its football and basketball teams, known as the Bison. Hill is now retired but described Jones as a “natural” and “rare talent.”
“He has a knack to make it fun and informational at the same time, and not everyone can do that,” Hill added.
Jones accredited all his past jobs in helping him with his broadcasting for Howard. “All of these positions helped me prepare and communicate effectively for this job at Howard. All these jobs help me to be more articulate and able to project more,” Jones said.
Besides doing what he loves, Jones boasted about some rare moments in sports history he got to witness. In 2017, the Bison entered as 45-point road underdogs against the University of Las Vegas Rebels in an eventual 43-40 win for Howard in Las Vegas. The win is considered one of the greatest upsets in the history of college football.
TREVIN A. JONES AND NATE HENRY MAKING THE CALL.
Jones is racking up the frequent flyer miles. Following each Howard football game, he returns to Pittsburgh, where he resides, and continues work as the producer and sports director for urbanmediatoday.com. As another game day comes, Jones is back on the road to Washington, D.C., to travel with the Bison to their next game. Howard’s next contests are: Oct. 29 at Norfolk State; Nov. 5 at North Carolina Central; Nov. 12 vs. South Carolina State (senior day); and Nov. 19 at Morgan State. This past Saturday, Oct. 22, Howard defeated Delaware State University, 35-17, in the school’s homecoming game. Howard plays in the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference).
Some of the advice Jones gives to people who may want to become radio announcers are, “Determination, focus, enthusiasm, and studying whatever topic or sports team you are covering.”
Jones noted how important it is to study, specifically football; crucial details such as the team’s names, players, and knowing the background of the program that you are representing. The past games are just as important as the current. Jones also tells broadcasters to have meetings with coaches, sometimes days before the game, to learn more about the program.
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