Longtime local radio broadcaster has been the voice of the Aggies for 38 years
By DONNA THORNTON, Editor
Albertville City Schools Superintendent Bart Reeves said Albertville football has had good years, lean years, and in-between years, and through them all, Barry Galloway has been there with “that amazing radio voice.”
“He always shows up and supports the Aggies,” Reeves said. “Many of those who gathered to recognize him praised him for always being a positive voice.”
Color Commentator John Gladden said the Aggie’s radio team’s lives have intersected in ways beyond football, through the tough times of life. “You are the backbone of this whole thing,” he said, and all three members of the broadcast team consider Galloway to be the GOAT. At this celebration of his long-term relationship with Aggie football, Galloway recalled a time when he thought it would end, when his son died in 2021. “I probably was going to quit radio completely,” he said. “I couldn’t do it anymore. But something just told me – God spoke to me – and said if you don’t do this, you’re letting the devil win.”
The next Friday night, he called the Aggies’ game. Galloway said he couldn’t remember a thing about it but was told he did fine; he went on cruise control. He said he’d always remember what “Coach Mac” told him “just remember, this is not about you, it’s about the kids out there playing. When I get on the radio, you’ll never hear me say a negative thing about a kid.”
Galloway said he’s heard from people who said the only way they heard about their kid was through what they heard on the radio.
“It means a lot to me, you doing this for me. I don’t do it for me. I do it for the kids,” Galloway said. “It’s been an honor and I It’s an honor he plans to continue, he said. Asked what’s the most memorable night of football, Galloway said it was that Friday night, when so many past and present city and school officials came out to mark his 400th broadcast.
Sand Mountain Broadcasting supplied a rundown on Galloway’s radio run thus far. His play-by-play career began in 1988. Over the past 38 years, Galloway has missed only two games in his career, both due to undergoing open-heart surgery before quickly returning to the booth. Joining Galloway in the booth for this landmark game were his trusted, long-standing broadcast crew. His current broadcast team includes Gladden, sideline reporter Keith Baugh, and veteran statistician Chris Jenkins.
Galloway’s dedication to bringing local sports to life has taken him to extreme heights — literally. He has broadcasted from the back of a pickup truck, on top of a picnic table next to a concession stand, and from a three-story-high scissor lift dubbed the “Sand Mountain Skybox” during a game against rival Boaz. He has interviewed every Albertville head coach since Dennis Hicks in 1988, spanning more than 10 coaches-and covered some of the program’s finest moments. His career peak with the Aggies came in 2002 under head coach John Grass, when he called Albertville’s run to the state quarterfinals, the closest the program has come to a state championship.
Galloway was named the ABBY Award winner for Small Market Sportscaster of the Year in 2012, 2014, and 2017 representing WAVU. Galloway also captured ABBYs for Best Sports Show during those years. He won ABBY Awards for Best Morning Show in those years. Beyond Friday night lights, Galloway has expanded his play-by-play coverage to every sport Sand Mountain Broadcasting carries, including basketball, baseball, and an increased commitment to women’s sports, including softball and flag football. Galloway is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of broadcasters.
In 2025, he participated in the Aggievision career and education event at Albertville High School, speaking with students about broadcasting careers, job-shadowing opportunities, and station internships.
Sand Mountain Broadcasting General Manager Tyler May and Albertville City Schools Superintendent Bart Reeves unveiled a gift from the school system to Aggie Football radio announcer Barry Galloway (left), marking his 400th game broadcast Friday night. Galloway has been the voice of the Aggies for 38 years. DONNA THORNTON l The Leader
