Hawkins, Schaub to join Cavaliers’ radio broadcast team this fall

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Former Cavalier standouts Ahmad Hawkins and Matt Schaub will join play-by-play announcer John Freeman to form the broadcast team for UVA football games on the Virginia Sports Radio Network starting this fall.

The announcement was made Wednesday by Playfly Sports’ Jen Madden, the general manager for Virginia Sports Properties.

Hawkins will take over as the lead color analyst for all UVA football broadcasts. Schaub will join the broadcast crew to form a three-man booth as a guest analyst for a limited number of games during the season.

Hawkins and Schaub will work with Freeman, who is entering his fourth season calling the play-by-play for Virginia. Jay James will return for his 13th season in 2024 as the broadcast’s sideline reporter.

Schaub, who resides in Atlanta, is expected to work at least four games each season.

Hawkins becomes just the third person to handle the primary radio color analyst role in the past 41 seasons. Frank Quayle held the position for 29 years and most recently Tony Covington manned the role for 12 seasons.

Hawkins is no stranger to the Cavalier radio broadcast. He has been an analyst for the Cavalier Countdown pregame show and filled in as the sideline reporter numerous times in previous years when James has had a scheduling conflict. Hawkins has also helped to host the Coach’s Corner radio show in the past.

“Ahmad is a natural fit for the broadcast crew thanks to the many roles he has served in the past associated with the radio network and his work with the Virginia football program as a gameday host and social media personality,” Madden said. “He has great passion for the program and we are excited that this opportunity will allow Ahmad to display his extensive knowledge of the game.

“We are also thrilled to have Matt Schaub join Ahmad and John for several games each season. He is one of the greatest quarterbacks in the program’s history. With nearly 20 years of experience in the NFL, Matt will bring a great perspective to the broadcast crew. We think Cavalier fans will really enjoy this combination of personalities on game day.”

In addition to handling his gameday broadcast duties, Hawkins will take a role in the weekly Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Cavalier Minute radio features on the Virginia Sports Radio Network.

A native of Hampton, Hawkins lettered at Virginia from 1997 to 2000. He played wide receiver for three seasons at UVA before moving to cornerback as a senior. He is best remembered for his 47-yard touchdown catch to cap a 36-32 Cavalier comeback victory at Virginia Tech in 1998.

He played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL and for 10 seasons in the Arena Football League. He returned to UVA to complete his undergraduate degree in religious studies in 2009.

Schaub lettered at Virginia from 2000 to 2004. He played in 40 games as a Cavalier and set 22 offensive records. In 2002 he was named the ACC’s Player of the Year. Schaub enjoyed a 17-year career in the NFL playing for the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens.

He threw for more than 25,000 yards during his professional career and led the NFL in passing (4,770 yards) in 2009. Schaub was a Pro Bowl selection that season and again in 2012.