Pat Patrick began The Best in High School Football radio broadcasts in 1985 as part of a summer job between teaching English classes and coaching sports in high school. A Birmingham City School graduate (Jones Valley High), Pat hosts the Pregame Show, interviews coaches, helps select the schedule, markets the broadcasts, co hosts the Post Game Show and generally helps the announcers be the best that they can be. "If you surround yourself with winners, it helps you and your program to be a success." - Pat Patrick

 

"Rex Short keeps the pressbox broadcast crew in line with accurate statistics and insight as to penalties and reasons for officials' flags. Capable of sitting in as play by play announcer or color commentator, Rex makes the broadcast run smoothly. A Vestavia Rebel graduate, Rex's love for the game and love for his high school alma mater sometime show through and occasionally gets the staff in hot water with non Rebel fans. No one loves the game of football more than Rex Short." - Pat Patrick

 

The youngest member of the regular PPP staff, Mark Woods likeable personality helps him get sideline interviews with coaches and players as well as honoree information from school administrators. During the Scoreboard Call-In Show, Mark has the right touch when it comes to on-air interviews. A Crimson Tide graduate, a scratch golfer and a proud Homewood Patriot, Mark Woods brings personality and style to the broadcasts." - Pat Patrick

 

David is a third generation Birmingham Native. The only son of Louis and Mary Ellis, he was educated in the Birmingham Public School System.

In 1977, David graduated from Parker High School and later the University of Alabama where he majored in Broadcast and Film Communications with a minor in Sales Management.

Broadcasting was his dream . . . he dreamed of being the next "Bryant Gumble" patrolling the sidelines in all kinds of weather to get the inside story straight from the coach's mouth. Dave met Gumble when Gumble spoke in Tuscaloosa.

Dave later found that he had a talent for selling advertising and has spent twenty years doing so for a career.

Dave never lost sight of his dream. . . He met Pat Patrick in the summer of 2000. Pat offered him a chance to be one of the commentators for the Best in High School Football. David was in "Hog Heaven"!!! To get a chance to be a part of the game that he loves in the exact capacity he always wanted was a dream come true.

If he sounds EXCITED on the air . . . It's because he is!
"Dave's the most agreeable member of the PPP Staff. Dave brings to the table a wealth of sports knowledge from his undergraduate days as a Crimson Tider and his high school days locally as a Parker High Thundering Herd. His enthusiasm for the broadcast and the game is infectious. Dave Ellis can make a two-yard gain sound like a touchdown." - Pat Patrick

 

Durwood Freeman brings to the broadcasts a wealth of history of sports in Birmingham as well as Birmingham's growth socially and fashionably. He was here when the Legion Field year ending Clinic Games were in vogue and attended those games on occasions. Add that to the Big Five dances at the Boutwell Auditorium, Birmingham's unique social and societal history for the past 50 or 60 years, and you have someone bright and knowledgeable that the remaining staff members can go to for confirmation.
An Ensley Yellow Jacket graduate, whether its sports or Birmingham history, Durwood Freeman helps give our broadcasts authenticity and an accuracy that's hard to measure." - Pat Patrick