The longest-tenured broadcast voice in the history of University of Oregon athletics, Jerry Allen (born January 24, 1948) enters The Hall this year as recipient of the Bill Schonely Award. This honor does more than recognize excellence and longevity in state of Oregon sports, it also recognizes volunteer, fund raising and community activities.
Jerry Allen became a broadcaster while still in high school in Grant's Pass in 1967. While a student at Southern Oregon State College, he became a full-time broadcaster, a career he has never left. From Medford High School and Medford A's to the Oregon Ducks, Allen has announced over 400 football games and 1,000 basketball games in his career and left fans with memories of some great calls of classic moments.
Jerry would have enjoyed a rich career if he had stayed in the Rogue Valley, he was a beloved voice on KYJC radio from 1970-87 where he hosted a morning show and announced over 900 events. He was the voice of the powerful Black Tornado football team at Medford High School and called the school’s final state championship season in 1985 before the school split into the North and South campuses. Jerry was selected to call OSAA championships on the radio for thirteen consecutive years. He also anchored sportscasts on KOBI-TV and hosted multiple telethons and fund raisers. He was legendary for pulling iron man shifts on air during those campaigns.
In 1987, Allen made the move to Eugene and would become the first Ducks play-by-play announcer to work full time at that job. His arrival came at the beginning of the rise of Oregon football under Rich Brooks and those big games and breakthrough wins. The Terry Obee reverse; Pat Johnson's layout catch; Kenny Wheaton's interception return and the Danny O'Neil to Dino Philyaw pass that clinched the 1995 Rose Bowl trip are all etched in memories of fans.
Jerry Allen's professional legacy comes from documenting greatness of UO teams at the Rose Bowl; the college football playoffs and four basketball teams that reached the Elite Eight or Final Four. His personal legacy is his long-term friendships with his Oregon Sports Network teammates and the love and respect of everyone he has touched with his service as well as his talents. He has been honored by the Oregon Assocation of Broadcasters and received the OAB's Heritage Award in 2019.
Jerry Allen is also a member of the Medford Sports Hall of Fame