SFA Athletics Announces Updates to 2026-27 Broadcasting & Radio Teams
8/19/2026 10:00:00 AM | General
Rob Hipp joins the booth as color analyst; Merrell and Haak return for another season on the call
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin Athletics has announced its broadcasting and radio assignments for the 2026-27 athletic season, headlined by the addition of veteran broadcaster Rob Hipp as color analyst for SFA football, joining returning voices Chase Merrell and Cade Haak.
Rob Hipp Joins SFA Football Broadcast Team
Veteran play-by-play broadcaster Rob Hipp will join Chase Merrell as the color analyst for SFA football this fall. Hipp brings extensive Division I broadcasting experience to the booth, having called games for Sam Houston State and North Dakota State, including two national championship games.
Hipp lives in Huntsville with his wife and their two young children. Outside the broadcast booth, he works in ministry and outreach, operates a local media platform, and has established a low-power FM community radio station.
After spending much of his career calling play-by-play, Hipp is excited to bring that experience and perspective to the analyst's chair for Lumberjack fans.
"I've admired Stephen F. Austin football for a long time, so the opportunity to join one of the premier programs in the FCS is a tremendous honor," Hipp said. "I'm excited to work alongside Chase Merrell, a talented broadcaster and one of the rising stars in the industry. I look forward to using my experience to help bring Lumberjack fans into every moment as we tell the story of SFA football each week. I'm grateful to David Warner for the opportunity, and I'm glad to be back with the Learfield family."
Merrell Returns for Second Season as "Voice of the Lumberjacks"
Chase Merrell is entering his second season as the "Voice of the Lumberjacks" and sixth year calling games for SFA. A historic run for SFA Football and Men's Basketball made for a memorable inaugural campaign for Merrell, and he is eager to carry that momentum forward.
"I am incredibly excited to be entering my second season as the Voice of the Lumberjacks," remarked Merrell. "Last year was an incredible year to be a part of, and I feel very fortunate to have experienced it alongside Lumberjack Nation. There is so much to be excited about this year, both on the field and behind the mic. We're looking forward to bringing a new analyst to our broadcasts, introducing new behind-the-scenes features, and launching a new podcast to give our fans even more ways to connect with SFA Athletics. I can't wait to see what this year has in store and to be a part of another season of Lumberjack Athletics."
Follow Merrell on X, Instagram, and other platforms: @ChaseMerrellPxP
Haak Back for Second Season on the Radio Waves
Cade Haak will return for his second season on the radio waves, handling play-by-play duties for SFA Ladyjacks Basketball and will also continue calling SFA Soccer on ESPN+.
Follow Haak on X: @cade_haak
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA athletics, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
#AxeEm
Rob Hipp Joins SFA Football Broadcast Team
Veteran play-by-play broadcaster Rob Hipp will join Chase Merrell as the color analyst for SFA football this fall. Hipp brings extensive Division I broadcasting experience to the booth, having called games for Sam Houston State and North Dakota State, including two national championship games.
Hipp lives in Huntsville with his wife and their two young children. Outside the broadcast booth, he works in ministry and outreach, operates a local media platform, and has established a low-power FM community radio station.
After spending much of his career calling play-by-play, Hipp is excited to bring that experience and perspective to the analyst's chair for Lumberjack fans.
"I've admired Stephen F. Austin football for a long time, so the opportunity to join one of the premier programs in the FCS is a tremendous honor," Hipp said. "I'm excited to work alongside Chase Merrell, a talented broadcaster and one of the rising stars in the industry. I look forward to using my experience to help bring Lumberjack fans into every moment as we tell the story of SFA football each week. I'm grateful to David Warner for the opportunity, and I'm glad to be back with the Learfield family."
Merrell Returns for Second Season as "Voice of the Lumberjacks"
Chase Merrell is entering his second season as the "Voice of the Lumberjacks" and sixth year calling games for SFA. A historic run for SFA Football and Men's Basketball made for a memorable inaugural campaign for Merrell, and he is eager to carry that momentum forward.
"I am incredibly excited to be entering my second season as the Voice of the Lumberjacks," remarked Merrell. "Last year was an incredible year to be a part of, and I feel very fortunate to have experienced it alongside Lumberjack Nation. There is so much to be excited about this year, both on the field and behind the mic. We're looking forward to bringing a new analyst to our broadcasts, introducing new behind-the-scenes features, and launching a new podcast to give our fans even more ways to connect with SFA Athletics. I can't wait to see what this year has in store and to be a part of another season of Lumberjack Athletics."
Follow Merrell on X, Instagram, and other platforms: @ChaseMerrellPxP
Haak Back for Second Season on the Radio Waves
Cade Haak will return for his second season on the radio waves, handling play-by-play duties for SFA Ladyjacks Basketball and will also continue calling SFA Soccer on ESPN+.
Follow Haak on X: @cade_haak
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA athletics, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
#AxeEm
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