DeKALB – NIU radio broadcast veteran Bill Baker will be passing the torch to Andy Garcia as his successor for the radio play-by-play voice of NIU football for the 2024 season and men’s basketball’s for the 2023-2024 season.

Baker announced in August that he would be stepping away from his commentating duties after 44 years of service.

Baker declared Garcia’s new role during at the 2023 NIU Winter Sports Media Day on Tuesday. Garcia expressed his elation for his new position at the podium.

“I am honored and excited to be the next play-by-play voice of the Huskies,” Garcia said. “I can’t wait to bring the passion and excitement of NIU Athletics to Huskie fans that tune in to each and every broadcast.”

Garcia’s broadcasting stint with NIU began in 2006, when he worked as a co-host of “NIU Weekly.” The 30-minute radio show aired on WSCR AM 670 The Score during the football season. “NIU Weekly” served to promote Huskie teams and events, interview coaches and cover news about NIU Athletics, according to an NIU Athletics press release.

In 2011, Garcia was named the full-time play-by-play announcer for NIU women’s basketball. Garcia has added play-by-play duties for basketball, volleyball and gymnastics on NIU’s ESPN3 and ESPN+ school production broadcasts.

NIU men’s basketball’s radio broadcast will feature Garcia’s first call at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 when the Huskies take on Marquette University for their 2023-2024 season opener.