If you have listened to Paoli High School sports on the radio, you are likely familiar with some recognizable voices. For the past 38 years, Dave Dedrick and Bert Pedigo have been calling football and both boy’s and girls’ basketball games on Mix 95.3 WUME.
After graduating from Vincennes University in 1977, Dedrick started working for WUME-FM in February of 1978.
“I started out part-time and then moved full-time as an evening disc jockey before getting into news, sports, sales and management,” said Dedrick.
Pedigo graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in communication, focusing on telecommunication and public relations.
After graduation, Pedigo started working in radio in 1984 at WJDW in Corydon.
“Radio was something I always wanted to do,” said Pedigo.
Dedrick and Pedigo met in May 1986 after Dedrick applied for a job at WUME-FM. Pedigo interviewed Dedrick for the job.
“We were supposed to meet for an interview, but I went to the wrong place. I called Dave and got a second interview and was hired shortly after,” said Pedigo.
Pedigo was hired as the morning news anchor and play-by-play sports announcer. Dedrick and Pedigo began calling games together in 1986 and have continued for the last 38 years.
“We have been announcing together longer than we have been with our wives,” said Dedrick.
The two have announced together for so long that they now are calling games with players who are the grandchildren of the players they called for all those years ago.
Though the duo have worked together, they also called events separately. Dedrick calls baseball and softball games in the spring, and Pedigo has also announced horse-racing events.
Announcing games for the duo is more than just a job.
“It’s all about the relationships and friendships you develop. We’ve both met and gotten to know so many people over the years, and those relationships often go well beyond the court or field,” said Pedigo. “And of course, it’s about the kids. Their excitement and enthusiasm help keep us young.”
When their career together might conclude, Ram fans can take comfort in the fact that a retirement date has not been set. Dedrick says he does not have a set time to hang up his microphone.
“This one is by far the toughest to answer, as I really don’t know how much longer we will do this. I have told some people when they ask that same question that I will do it as long as Dave does. He and I have discussed it and a couple of years ago he gave me a number, but I’m not sure if that number still stands or not. I will leave it up to him. Who knows, maybe you’ll get some breaking news if he gives you a date. After calling games with him for 38 years I just don’t see myself doing them with anyone else,” said Pedigo.