President of MGL Productions, Mike Grace is a veteran broadcast professional based out of Atlanta, Georgia. As Executive Producer and Co-Host of The Press Box Radio Show, Mike spends his weekdays cutting up with two of his oldest friends…Chris Stewart, Radio Announcer for the Crimson Tide Sports Network and J.D. Byars, Director of Broadcasting for the University of South Alabama’s Jaguar Sports Properties…and sharing the fun with listeners via great stations throughout the state of Alabama and with the world, online 24/7 at www.pressboxradio.com On the weekends, you can often hear Grace working as a freelance play-by-play announcer. His most recent broadcast credits include multiple radio roles for Learfield IMG College properties including Arkansas, Georgia Southern and Georgia Tech, along with television play-by-play for both UAB and Troy University. For over twenty years, Grace has served as producer, syndicator, and play-by-play announcer for the national broadcast of the Mobile Alabama Bowl Radio Network. In all, Mike has spent over forty years in the broadcasting industry, including ten seasons as “Voice of the Bulldogs” for Samford University football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball; producer and co-host of “The Ultimate Sports Show”; producer and host of “Snake’s Take – The Ken Stabler Show”; and other local and state-wide sports talk programs and live sporting events. Grace is a highly skilled announcer, producer, host and event emcee who brings a passion for excellence to every project.
Finding His Voice
Progressing from late night disc jockey in his hometown of Vicksburg, MS in the late 1970’s, Mike’s career in radio included morning show host, afternoon drive host, Music Director, Production Director, Program Director, Operations Manager and ultimately, Station Manager. His career shifted to sports talk and live event coverage during his time in Starkville, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama. This venue was the perfect merger of his passion for broadcasting and his love of sports. Starting as Morning Show host and play-by-play announcer for Sport Radio 105.5 WNSP in Mobile, Mike branched out to producing and syndicating sport talk programming with some of Alabama’s most recognized sports figures. Mike honed his skills as a play-by-play producer/announcer during a ten-year stint overseeing the state-wide broadcasts of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Championship Radio Network, before legendary quarterback and 1971 Heisman Trophy winner, Pat Sullivan, came calling in the summer of 2007.
"
His passion and enthusiasm behind the mic provided
Samford fans with some of the most epic calls
in the History of Samford Athletics.
"
- Martin Newton
Director of Athletics, Samford University
A Dream Fulfilled
The new Samford University Football Head Coach brought Mike to Birmingham, where he spent the next ten years fulfilling a life-long dream of serving as “The Voice” for an NCAA Division 1 college program. During his time at Samford, Mike produced over 120 events per year and provided play-by-play for both radio and television broadcasts while hosting weekly coach’s radio shows, producing highlight packages and feature stories for all 17 Samford University sports and launching Samford’s first-ever productions for ESPN3.
His position at Samford opened the door for Mike to work with broadcast journalism students, giving them on-the-job learning opportunities along with mentoring them in the craft of live sports coverage. With great pride, he has seen his former student workers go on to have successful careers in broadcasting.
Currently, Grace is pursuing opportunities as a freelance play-by-play announcer, voice-over artist, and sport talk programming producer.
Mike and his wife Carol Ann currently reside just outside of Atlanta in Suwanee, GA. Their children are Daniel and Linsey Cloud, also of Suwanee GA…Daniel and Stephanie Grace, of Nashville TN…and Matthew & Krissy Grace, of Salt Lake City, UT. Mike and Carol Ann are also blessed to be “Pops & Bobbie” to three beautiful grandchildren…Hattie & Chloe Cloud and Nolan Grace.
Husband, Dad, Pops and Broadcast Professional…that’s Mike Grace LIVE.
