Photo by Kamp Fender
Longtime ‘Voice of the Rebels’ Steve Bendall, left, calls his final game with student analyst Thomas Wade during a game between Huffman and Vestavia Hills on Nov. 2 at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium.
For 20 years, Steve Bendall has spent his Friday nights in the fall at Thompson-Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School, calling the Rebels’ football games.
For the first 17 years, Bendall, an alumnus of VHHS, worked as a color commentator before switching to a hybrid of color commentary and play-by-play in the last three seasons. The broadcast started on TV, where Bendall and his broadcast partner, Snapper Lancaster, called the games, which were then shown on a loop on local television on Saturday mornings.
“People had breakfast parties and had the kids over to watch,” Bendall said.
Over time, the broadcast evolved as the audience grew, eventually turning into a live broadcast viewed through a subscription. For those who didn’t want to pay a subscription fee, Bendall and his crew also began offering an audio broadcast through Facebook and YouTube.
Volunteers like Louis Noto and John Virciglio, who “make it go,” Bendall said, have helped the show expand over the years.
“It’s been a blast,” Bendall said. “... I’ve really, thoroughly enjoyed it. I love Vestavia. I love Vestavia sports and the kids. Other people play cards or go to the bars. This is what I do in the fall on Friday nights.”
Bendall’s career as the Rebels announcer ended after the football team’s season-ending win against Huffman on Nov. 2. The team finished 6-4, but missed the playoffs after competing in a tough region.
“I’ve been able to watch my daughters grow up through Vestavia,” Bendall said. “... I really enjoy the kids; I know most of them or their parents. I’ve gotten to know kids and parents because of this.”
Bendall said he’s called games both at Vestavia and on the road in the freezing cold, snow and in 100-degree heat.
In the age of social media, Bendall said the crew is able to receive instant feedback on the internet broadcast, and they’re able to see people around the country — and in some cases, around the world — who tune in to watch or listen to their alma mater’s games.
“That’s been a blessing to be able to bring a little part of home to somebody who’s not here,” Bendall said.
Each year, it gets tougher for high school football to survive and thrive, Bendall said, so the broadcasts are an “outlet” for people to still enjoy it wherever they may find themselves on a fall Friday night.
As Bendall steps away, he said it’s a “passing of the torch” to the student-led Vestavia News Network, which has been a long-term goal for a while. Students have been helping Bendall and learning to do the broadcast on their own, he said. “They’re doing stuff such as producing, cameras, on-air [work],” Bendall said. “... It’s evolving into the student-run broadcast that we’ve been trying to do for years. If somebody’s doing something, you just kind of let them do it.
“These kids are a whole lot smarter; they’re technically savvy, and it’s just a great experience for them, it should be a resume builder for them … and we’re excited about that,” Bendall said.
Reflecting on his time in the press box, Bendall said he’ll remember the memories and relationships he’s been able to build throughout the years.
“I just consider myself lucky,” Bendall said. “For 20 years, I’ve had the best seat in the stadium, being able to watch and call Vestavia games, and I’ll miss it. I know I will.”