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Former Razorback great Scotty Thurman will join the Razorback Sports Network as a color analyst on University of Arkansas men’s basketball games beginning this season. Thurman will work alongside Voice of the Razorbacks Chuck Barrett who will handle play-by-play duties for a fifth consecutive season. In addition to his broadcasting responsibilities, Thurman will continue to serve as a full-time member of Arkansas Athletics working with the Student-Athlete Development program. Thurman has been the Director of Student-Athlete Development for the men’s basketball program for the past four years.
"I am honored to join Chuck Barrett in helping bring Razorback Basketball to the entire state of Arkansas and to Razorback fans throughout the country," Thurman said. "When I think of broadcasters such as Mike Nail, the late, great Paul Eells and Rick Schaeffer, I am truly humbled to join the Razorback Sports Network team. I want to thank Jeff Long and (IMG General Manager) David Shoemaker for this opportunity. I am also grateful to Coach Mike Anderson for his continued support, allowing me to be a part of this program and this university in a state which has meant so much to my family and me."
Thurman will assume the role previously held by former sports information director and longtime University of Arkansas radio and television broadcaster Rick Schaeffer. Schaeffer served a combined 34 years on Arkansas’ men’s basketball radio broadcasts in two separate stints including the past 10 years.
"I am very grateful to Jeff Long and IMG for allowing me the opportunity to continue to serve on the Razorback Sports Network for football and baseball," Schaeffer said. "I enjoyed every moment of my 34 years as a basketball analyst, but it is time for a change. I’m thrilled that Scotty Thurman, a Razorback who I hold in the highest esteem, will now fill that position. I know Razorback fans will be blessed by his addition to the basketball broadcasts."
Schaeffer will remain an integral part of Razorback football and baseball broadcasts as well as take on an expanded role with Razorback Athletics as a contributor to ArkansasRazorbacks.com and the department’s official publication, Inside Razorback Athletics. Schaeffer is part of the football pre-game and post-game shows and also serves as the in-game statistician for the game broadcast. He recently finished his 13th straight season as a member of the Razorback Baseball radio network team, serving as the primary color analyst while also handling middle inning play-by-play duties.
