Idaho State Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros announced that longtime Pocatello High School sports broadcaster Scott Gross has been named the new ‘Voice of the Bengals’.

The announcement comes after a national search for a new voice to replace Jerry Miller who retired at the end of the 2023 season after more than 40 years at the helm.

“In a legacy that started back with Jim Fox and carried forward with Jerry Miller…we have enjoyed decades during which our fans could turn on the radio and hear the voice of a person they know, love, and trust. It was important to me to find a way to continue that connection. I wanted the Voice of the Bengals to be a voice who I know loves our community and our student-athletes, in addition to being great at calling the game and etching our big moments into history. I believe Scott hits those marks well, and I am excited to make him a part of the Bengal Family."

Gross’ duties will include play-by-play coverage of Idaho State football and men’s basketball radio broadcasts on KISU as well as voice-over opportunities in department videos and coaching interviews. 

Gross’ broadcasting career began in 1986 working for KWIK/KPKY underneath Bengal legend and former voice, Jim Fox. Gross was the fill-in morning sports host producing several segments daily, covering local and national sports scores and highlights.

In 1987 Gross started calling local high school football and basketball broadcasts for Pocatello and Highland High Schools doing color commentary. He recounts one of his first memories:

"My first game broadcast was a bit of a surprise,” remarked Gross. “I had reached out to current ISU radio analyst Brad Bugger to ask if he needed someone to do statistics for a Pocatello High School basketball game on a night when Jim Fox was out of town. I showed up with a pencil and a notepad thinking I would merely be handing statistical information to Brad while he did the play-by-play. Before I knew it, Brad handed me a headset and I did my first broadcast as a color commentator.

Gross continued his broadcast career and while continuing to fill in on Pocatello sports, also worked with Pocatello’s minor-league baseball team. Gross went on to say:

"In the summer of 1989, I was asked by Jim Fox to take on the play-by-play duties for the Pocatello Giants baseball team of the Pioneer League. This began five summers of being the voice of the Pocatello Giants, Pocatello Pioneers, and lastly the Pocatello Posse in 1993. It was in these years I honed my skills in broadcasting. I had the privilege of covering the early years of several future MLB players including pitchers Pat Rapp, Steve Reed, and Cory Lidle. I also got to meet several MLB executives and traveling coaches. Most memorable of these was Dan Duquette of the Montreal Expos and former Atlanta Braves catcher Bruce Benedict."

In 1993 Gross became the exclusive play-by-play announcer for Pocatello High School football and basketball and continued in the role for the next 14 years where he covered numerous state championships. In addition, Gross also spent time covering Highland High School and Century High School sports. 

Gross is married to his wife Katrina and they are the proud parents of seven children and one grandchild. Here is what he had to say about his time so far in this profession: 

“What I have cherished most during the nearly 40 years covering high school sports in Idaho, is the myriads of friendships I have developed with coaches, players, parents, officials, and fellow broadcasters. I am thrilled and humbled to be the next voice of the Idaho State University Bengals!”