During halftime Friday night, the Carrollton Trojans honored a local radio icon who has spent many Friday nights over the past four decades broadcasting from Grisham Stadium – not to mention from every other high school football field in his west Georgia listening area.
Receiving this special recognition was Mitch Gray of Gradick Communications, who most of the west Georgia listening area would agree has been THE voice of high school football for Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties for two generations.
The Tallapoosa native began his radio career in Bremen and later joined the ranks of what is now Gradick Communications in 1979 as a personality on WPPI.
Gray is also the long-time voice of the West Georgia Wolves where he also has served as the West Georgia Athletics sports information director and play-by-play announcer for 38 years. For his years of service on the high school and collegiate levels, he earned induction into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame in 2014. Even the non-sports fan would recognize his voice as the morning personality on WBTR-FM, otherwise known as B92 Country.
David Brooks, Carrollton High School principal, said Gray’s dedication to high school athletics goes beyond most and he said he felt it was time Gray was formally recognized for his service.
“His loyalty is all-encompassing and genuine,” said Brooks. “He is quick to celebrate team successes but also acknowledges their disappointments with self-inflicted humility. Mitch Gray is careful not to pick favorites, careful not to hurt feelings, yet adamant about protecting the integrity and spirit of the athletes, the sports, and the communities that are part of the whole high school athletics experience.”
Brooks, along with Carrollton City Schools Supt. Dr. Mark Albertus and CHS Athletic Director Paul Fitz-Simons, recognized Gray on the stadium track during halftime and presented him with a plaque of appreciation.
“It was our privilege to honor one of the great ambassadors for high school athletics in this community,” said Albertus.
