BY: Davey Chadwick (WMSB Co-Founder)
For decades, the unmistakable voice of Jay Colley has been synonymous with William & Mary Athletics. As the play-by-play announcer for Tribe football and basketball, Jay has captured some of the greatest moments in the College’s storied history.
This year, Jay’s incredible contributions to sports broadcasting were recognized in a big way — he was recently named as one of the newest inductees into the Hampton Roads Sports Media Hall of Fame as part of its 2025 class. Please join us in offering Jay a big congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
From his early days in minor league baseball to becoming the trusted voice of the Tribe, Jay’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep connection to the William & Mary community. Beyond the booth, his legacy includes a rich storytelling tradition that has brought countless Tribe fans closer to the action, whether in Zable Stadium or Kaplan Arena and beyond.
We recently had the privilege of sitting down with Jay to reflect on his remarkable career, hear his favorite Tribe memories, and learn more about the man behind the mic. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the Tribe family, you won’t want to miss this exclusive interview with a true William & Mary legend. Dive in below!
WMSB: Jay, thank you so much for taking the time today. First off, I just want to say how much we appreciate everything you’ve done for William & Mary and the community over the years. You’ve been the voice of the Tribe for so many generations, and we hope to keep hearing you for many more to come.
Jay: Thanks, Davey. And let me say, I really appreciate what you’re doing with this blog. It’s great to have a platform that gives fans an inside look at Tribe Athletics from another perspective. Back when I started, newspaper reporters covered every game — home and away — but things have changed. What you’re doing is keeping that tradition alive in a new way.
WMSB: That means a lot, Jay. We’ve got a great team of students and alumni helping out, and we’re all so passionate about telling the Tribe’s story. Shout out to the entire WMSB team! But let’s dive right in — how did you first get into broadcasting? Was there a specific moment or opportunity that set it all in motion?
Jay: Absolutely. I’ve told this story a lot, and I think most of it’s true! I went to a military high school near Nashville in the mid-70s, and we had a small radio station on campus. I joined the radio club and started broadcasting football games because, frankly, I wasn’t good enough to play them! That’s where the spark began. By my senior year, I was covering junior high and high school games for a local station, and it grew from there.
WMSB: Did you play sports growing up, or was it all about broadcasting?
Jay: I played a bit of football, basketball, and even tried cross country. I wasn’t great, though — I remember telling my cross-country coach that I didn’t like running! My passion for sports always leaned toward broadcasting. I’d even call plays while shooting hoops in my driveway, mimicking the crowd and creating my own commentary.
WMSB: After high school, you went to Middle Tennessee State. How did your time there shape your career?
Jay: Middle Tennessee had a big FM radio station that reached all over the area. I majored in mass communications and focused on radio and TV. There, I met Monte Hale, the voice of the Blue Raiders, who became a mentor. He taught me the ins and outs of preparation and professionalism. By my junior year, I was even doing innings for a minor league baseball team. Those experiences were invaluable.
WMSB: Following your graduation from Middle Tennessee State, you would go on to broadcast minor league baseball games full-time — what stands out to you from those years?
Jay: Oh, I’ve got plenty of stories! In Double-A with the then Charlotte O’s, I once missed a pitching change and ended up interviewing the wrong player as the game’s MVP — it was pretty embarrassing. Then there was the time I had to navigate a spiral staircase from the upper-level press box to find a bathroom, which turned out to be on the lower level during the middle of a game in Montgomery, Alabama — I returned much later than anticipated, and missed part of the game!
But in Triple-A with Rochester, things started to feel more professional. We even flew to games instead of enduring those long bus rides. I’ll never forget 1980, when I was broadcasting with the Charlotte O’s, Baltimore’s Double-A team. Cal Ripken Jr. was on that team, and you could already tell he was something special. That was his first 20-home-run season, and you could see Earl Weaver’s wheels turning about moving him from third base to shortstop.
There was one unforgettable road trip where we played a night game in Memphis, which went into extra innings. By the time we got on the bus, it was nearly midnight, and then the bus broke down. We didn’t roll into Orlando until 4:30 the next afternoon, played that same day, and somehow won the game. But the team was so exhausted we went on to lose seven straight after that!
WMSB: Wow! What a story. Speaking of your time in minor league baseball — I know Rochester is where you met your wife, Cindy. How did that happen?
Jay: That’s right! Cindy was working as an intern for the Rochester Red Wings when we met. It was in the mid-80s, and we hit it off right away — we had so much in common, especially our shared love of baseball. We got married in 1988, and here we are today with two kids and three grandkids.
WMSB: How did you officially make the leap from minor league baseball to William & Mary?
Jay: I was calling games for the Rochester Red Wings when I met Bob Rathbun, the voice of the Norfolk Tides. He was also doing William & Mary football at the time but was stepping away and suggested I apply. I sent in a tape, and the rest is history. For nine years, I split my time between Rochester in the summer and Williamsburg in the fall, calling Tribe football and basketball — before eventually settling down in Williamsburg with Cindy full-time. Ever since, I’ve called Tribe games while also having a career in real estate.
WMSB: Switching gears — Sean McDermott is a name Tribe fans know well. Can you talk about your connection to him during his time at William & Mary?
Jay: Sean’s a fantastic example of the Tribe legacy. He was actually an intern in the marketing department when Cindy, my wife, worked there! He helped out with promotions and game day operations. Even then, you could see his determination. It’s no surprise to me that he’s built such a successful career in the NFL, and now as head coach of the Buffalo Bills.
When Sean was inducted into the W&M Athletics Hall of Fame last year, we got to reconnect and reminisce about those days. It’s also amazing to see so many Tribe connections within the Bills organization, including Joe Brady, who’s the offensive coordinator, and Christian Taylor, who’s on the defensive staff. I’m a big Bills fan now, thanks to Sean and the Tribe ties. Also, my wife is a lifelong Bills fan!
WMSB: Your son Ben was also a talented athlete, right?
Jay: Yes, Ben was an elite swimmer. Our family spent countless summers traveling to his meets across the country — from Stanford to Texas to Olympic training facilities in California. Watching him commit so much time and effort to his sport gave me an even deeper appreciation for what it means to be a Division I athlete.
Now he’s coaching at Charlotte Country Day as the director of their aquatic center. It’s great to see him mentoring young swimmers. I think it’s reignited his passion for the sport, and it’s rewarding to see him thrive in this new chapter.
WMSB: And your daughter Carleigh went to JMU — any friendly rivalry there?
Jay: Oh, definitely! We have some fun back-and-forth when William & Mary plays James Madison, and it’s even more complicated because my son went to North Carolina. JMU actually beat UNC in football this year, which made for some interesting family conversations!
WMSB: What are some of your favorite moments you’ve had the privilege to call?
Jay: There are countless moments, but Daniel Dixon’s three-pointer to send us to the CAA finals is unforgettable. Stan Yagiello’s touchdown pass to Jeff Sanders for our first win at Delaware is another highlight. I’ve also had the chance to call games at iconic venues like Cameron Indoor, Rupp Arena, and Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.
WMSB: How did you develop your signature touchdown call: “Touchdown William & Mary, touchdown green and gold”?
Jay: It came about pretty organically. I think it started in the 90s, and it just felt right. I later added, “Mr. Official, move those chains,” which fans really seemed to enjoy. It’s all about adding a bit of excitement and fun to the broadcast.
WMSB: Is there anything you haven’t yet done in your broadcasting career that you’d still love to accomplish?
Jay: Absolutely — calling a Tribe game in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is the dream! It’s something I’d love to check off the list one day.
WMSB: We couldn’t agree more! Jay, thank you so much for sharing your time and stories with us. You’re a true legend of William & Mary Athletics, and we’re all better for having you as the voice of the Tribe.
Jay: Thank you, Davey. It’s been a pleasure, and I look forward to catching up again soon!
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