Oct. 29, 2004

Charlotte, N.C. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has consistently produced outstanding leaders, athletes, and businessmen and women. The Department of Athletics can now use that claim to refer to its former staff members.

Former Public Address Announcer Patrick Doughty and former Sports Information Director B.J. Evans are currently employees of the NBA's newest franchise, the Charlotte Bobcats.

Doughty was the Public Address Announcer for the Hawks, a Division I team in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, from August of 2000 through August of 2004. He began the audition process for the Bobcat's public announcer job in March of 2004 making the cut from over 500, all the way down to two. Doughty competed with the other finalist, the former voice of the Charlotte Hornets, during the WNBA season. "I thought I was on top of the world," said Doughty. "I didn't think I had a chance against a guy who had the NBA experience. I was grateful to be there and have the opportunity. The selection to the final two justified to me that I was decent at what I did, to get the nod was incredible."

Doughty did such a good job for the Charlotte Sting that executives at the Bobcats gave him the job. Then when the runner-up turned down the WNBA job he got that one too and now is the voice of the Bobcats and Sting.

"It's a great feeling," said Doughty. "I have to thank Nelson Townsend the Athletic Director at UMES, Dave Byrd, Athletic Director at Pocomoke High School where I got my start, Romanda Noble who first hired me at UMES, Ms. Christine Allen who recommended that Romanda hire me, and of course Mr. Stan Bradley, the Sports Information Director who fought to keep me there when the previous administration was thinking of going in a different direction."

One main factor that got Doughty involved was B.J. Evans. Evans, who was with the Miami Heat before the Bobcats has ties to the Hawks of UMES, having served as Sports Information Director in the 90's. "B.J. was always encouraging to me," said Doughty. "He never told me how things stood, but he was supportive and an ear for me to talk to, we have something in common having both been at UMES."

"The other voice of reason was my brother," said Doughty. "Jeffrey Young was great, I can not thank him enough. Anyone who has helped me or lent an encouraging word, I think them too, it meant a lot to me. It is a privilege to use my voice for those that appreciate what I do, but most importantly I do it for my kids."

Doughty has already begun his duties with the Bobcats announcing pre-season games, the first of which was against the Washington Wizards. He has moved permanently to the Charlotte area and is also doing work on voice-overs on commercials and with a local radio stations.

Doughty will feel right at home in the Charlotte area as not only Evans is there but former UMES Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Brian Kusnierz also resides in the area as the First Assistant Coach at Queens University of Charlotte.