MTSU women’s basketball coach Rick Insell at Nashville Tip Off
MTSU women’s coach Rick Insell joined several other Middle Tennessee-area coaches at the 2024 Nashville Tip Off Breakfast at First Horizon Park
Former long-time Vanderbilt play-by-play announcer Joe Fisher will replace Dick Palmer as the voice of the Middle Tennessee State Lady Raiders basketball team.
Fisher, an MTSU graduate who spent 23 years as Vanderbilt’s play-by-play announcer for football, men’s basketball and baseball, was also a sports anchor and reporter for WKRN-2 television and WSMV-4.
“I’m truly excited and grateful for the opportunity to be courtside and be the broadcast voice for a quality program and an outstanding university,” Fisher said in a statement.
Palmer spent 17 years as the Lady Raiders voice before stepping down last week. He had previously called MTSU football and men’s basketball games.
“We are thrilled to have an accomplished and respected Blue Raider get behind the microphone for our top 25 women’s basketball program,” MTSU athletics director Chris Massaro said. “Joe’s experience and expertise will further enhance our championship brand as we embark on another exciting season.”
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After leaving Vanderbilt in 2020 Fisher served as news and communications director at Tennessee Tech. He remained on the local radio airwaves during that time calling basketball games for the TSSAA Radio Network during the state tournament.
Fisher resigned from Vanderbilt in 2020 and checked into Cumberland Heights Addiction Treatment Center for alcoholism.
Fisher also handled the play-by-play for WNSR’s “Midstate Checkdown High School Football Game of the Week.”
“We are excited that Joe is coming on board with us,” MTSU coach Rick Insell said. “Joe is a Middle Tennessee guy. He called games for Vanderbilt for a number of years. He’s a family man, and we are excited to welcome him into one of the top programs in the country.”
Fisher, who attended Antioch High School, was named Tennessee Co-Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association in 2013. He is also a Regional Emmy winner and was inducted into the Metro Nashville Public Schools Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
“I know this position will be in good hands moving forward,” Palmer said. “I have known Joe for many years. He is an outstanding broadcaster. He did games in the Southeastern Conference for many years, and the best thing is, he will fit right in as a Blue Raider.”
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
