7/27/2026

(Seattle, WA) The University of Washington announced on Monday that long time Husky sideline reporter Elise Woodward will become the new Husky Football Play-by-Play radio announcer. Woodward is a Husky Alumna and has worked in broadcasting for more than 3 decades. She has covered multiple sports and is the current voice of the WNBA’s Portland Fire.

Woodward will take over for Tony Castricone who has accepted the job of Tampa Bay Buccaneers radio play-by-play announcer. Castricone took over for Husky legend Bob Rondeau who had been declaring “Touchdown Washington” for 37 years beginning in 1981 and retiring after the 2016 season. The radio play-by-play booth is named in honor of Rondeau.

The Husky Athletic department released the following press release:

SEATTLE – University of Washington Athletics and Learfield’s Huskies Sports Properties announce the hiring of Elise Woodward as the new radio play-by-play voice of Husky Football. Woodward moves up to the booth after more than two decades of reporting on Husky Football from the sidelines.

“We are excited to name Washington alumna and former student-athlete Elise Woodward as the new play-by-play voice of Husky Football,” said Director of Athletics Pat Chun. “Elise has built an outstanding career as a sports broadcaster at both the national and local levels. She has established herself as a trusted voice within the Husky community through her years covering UW Football, Women’s Basketball, and Seattle sports. She knows this university, its traditions, and the rich history of this role. We couldn’t be more excited to have Elise carry forward the legacy of being the voice of Husky Football.”

Woodward is a veteran broadcaster with more than thirty years of experience. She is currently the Voice of the WNBA’s Portland Fire and has served as Washington football’s sideline reporter for over two decades. In addition, Woodward has been a broadcaster locally for the Seattle Storm and Seattle SuperSonics – hosting pregame, halftime and postgame radio shows.

“Having the opportunity to be the voice of University of Washington football is the honor of my lifetime,” Woodward stated. “As a Dawg, I take so much pride in the rich history and tradition of Husky football. I am so thankful for the last 23 seasons that I spent on the sidelines, but I’m also beyond excited to trade in my rain gear for the warmth of the Bob Rondeau radio booth.”

The Eugene, Ore., native has been one of the play-by-play voices for ESPN’s coverage of the NCAA® Women’s Basketball Tournament for over a decade. Woodward has called games on FOX, Big Ten Network and Pac-12 Network for a wide range of sports, including football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, gymnastics, track and field and lacrosse. She has also called basketball conference championship games for the WCC, WAC, Ivy League and American Conference. Woodward is a two-time Emmy nominee and hosted her own sports talk show on Sports Radio KJR in Seattle for more than a decade.

Prior to broadcasting, Woodward played four seasons of basketball at UW from 1993-97, helping the Huskies reach the NCAA Tournament three times and serving as team captain her senior year. Woodward fittingly earned her UW degree in communications: broadcast journalism.

“When I was on my recruiting trip to UW as a senior in high school, I had the chance to meet Don James in his office,” Woodward said. “He told me, ‘I hope you become a Husky.’ I couldn’t believe he took the time to say hi. Now decades later, it is a full circle moment to get this opportunity to call UW football, and I am thrilled. Go Dawgs!”

Woodward will begin her tenure on Sept. 6 as the Huskies open the season in the Boeing Apple Cup against Washington State at 1 p.m. at Husky Stadium.

“We’re thrilled to have Elise take the helm as our play-by-play announcer for Husky Football.” said Brandon Forbis, general manager of Huskies Sports Properties. “Elise’s passion for Washington sports coupled with her incredible talent and proven knowledge makes her the perfect person to lead our broadcasts into this next era of Husky Football.”

The Huskies now playing in the Big 10 open their season on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend against the Washington State Cougars in the earliest played Apple Cup in the history of the cross state rivalry.

www.elisportsnetwork.com