Andy Demetra leaving South Carolina radio

Turns out the last basketball game he called was a warmup for his new job.

South Carolina play-by-play man Andy Demetra, who has broadcast Gamecock men’s basketball and baseball since 2009 and said two of the most famous lines in USC radio history, is taking over play-by-play duties at Georgia Tech, a source close to the situation confirmed on Monday. Demetra replaces Brandon Gaudin, who left Tech in June to be the new voice for the EA Madden video game franchise.

Demetra’s last basketball game at USC was a second-round NIT loss to Georgia Tech this season. Coincidentally, the Yellow Jackets’ new coach is Josh Pastner, whose Memphis team lost 86-76 to USC last season in a game Demetra called.

Demetra started with calling women’s basketball at USC, then returned to Columbia in 2009 after a short stint as an IMG production manager. He has been the full-time men’s basketball and baseball voice since 2009, and was on the mic when the Gamecocks’ baseball team won back-to-back national championships in 2010 and 2011.

“The game is over! The game is over! The wait is over! The Gamecocks are the national champions!” became a staple of USC pre-game intros and ringtones, as Demetra found out from delighted fans who thanked him for the call. Demetra appreciated the comments and always said he hoped he did justice to Bob Fulton, the Gamecocks’ legendary play-by-play man who mentored Demetra when he first took the job.

His championship call in 2011 and numerous others over the years – a description of Sindarius Thornwell’s monster dunk against Clemson this past season was a highlight – have also been recorded and replayed for posterity. Demetra also became known for finding off-the-radar statistics and stories and writing about them for USC athletic department newsletter Spurs & Feathers, like a two-part series on former outfielder Jake Williams, who has battled depression.

Demetra beat out approximately 60 other candidates for the Tech job, which has been held by Wes Durham, Brad Nessler and Fulton, from 1965-66. A graduate of Syracuse, Demetra was named South Carolina sportscaster of the year in 2005 and 2006.

At Tech, Demetra will take over football play-by-play besides basketball. The Jackets’ first game this year is facing Boston College in Dublin, Ireland.

This story was originally published August 8, 2016 at 10:03 PM with the headline "Andy Demetra leaving South Carolina radio."