May 11, 2017
Culpepper, the Youngest Voice of the Wolverines
If you have been to a Wolverine basketball game this year, you may have noticed a young helper keeping stats at the table of the WMSL broadcasters, or maybe you attended a Wolverine soccer game and heard the voice of a young announcer. This is the voice of Prince Avenue Christian School freshman Hamilton Culpepper.
Known for his love of all things sports and excessive knowledge of random sports statistics, Hamilton has found his passion. When he was just barely a middle school student, Hamilton found himself with the incredible opportunity to write an article for the publication Bulldawg Illustrated. “My parents' friends, Cheri and Vance Leavy, own the publication. I mentioned my love of UGA football and began throwing out a lot of crazy knowledge about current and past facts. They asked me to write an article.” Following the success of that first article, Hamilton was offered the opportunity to write a column for all UGA home games.
Hamilton continues to write this column, and this experience has opened many other doors of opportunities related to sports writing and broadcasting. “Getting involved with this paper introduced me to so many people including local personality Jeff Dantzler. He fact checks all of my articles.” Because Dantzler calls Georgia baseball, girls basketball, and tennis and is a local sports broadcaster for 960 The Ref, Hamilton has been introduced to the broadcasting side of sports. “After seeing how much fun they have and doing the things I love like memorizing stats, I've fallen in love with sports broadcasting and have never looked back.”
The opportunity to apply his skills at PACS came through announcing certain sports and the school's relationship with WMSL 88.9 The Reach. “The school allows me to announce soccer and softball on the PA system, and for basketball I help call the games on live stream with WMSL.” Working with the radio station has offered Hamilton the opportunity to learn the technical and behind the scenes details that are related to broadcasting.
Hamilton is well aware of the unique opportunities he has had to pursue his dreams early in life. “I've had many mentors throughout this awesome journey that I truly can't thank enough.” These mentors have helped propel Hamilton toward his plans for the future. “I plan on going to the UGA Grady School of Journalism and majoring in journalism and broadcasting with an emphasis on sports.”
Hamilton has attended PACS since the 4th grade. He feels a tremendous amount of gratitude toward the school for all that he has been able to accomplish during his time here. “I want to thank the school for allowing me to have an internship with WMSL during the school day, and I want to thank all of the coaches for asking me to announce for their sports. I love this school and will never forget the wonderful people I have met and the wonderful memories I have made here.”
