About Inductee

Issac W. "Ike" Rooks II, the "Voice of the Bulldogs" was born on November 6th, 1928 in Madison County. Ike grew up in Madison county and graduated from W.H. Council High School in 1946. Issac received his undergraduate degree from Alabama A&M University in 1950. In 1960 Issac earned a Masters Degree in School Administration from Teachers College Columbia University, New York City. Ike is now retired from the Huntsville City Schools. His service included time as a classroom teacher, coach of boys and girls basketball, principal and director of various programs. Ike was not able to become an athlete, but he wanted to be close to the action. His interest in radio was to give him the opportunity to do just that. Coach Adam Kellam (Huntsville-Madison County Hall of Fame member) gave Ike his first chance to go behind the "mike" at a sporting event. Coach Kellam gave Ike the job of public relations and PA announcer at Council High. In later years he assumed the same role at A&M. Then came Leroy Garrett, the first African-American owner and operator of a radio station in Alabama. Leroy gave Issac his first chance to broadcast the A&M football games. Thus the "Voice of the Bulldogs" began the journey to becoming a "Legend". A career in sports broadcasting has earned him many honors through the years. He has been selected to the Athletic Booster Club Hall of Fame (1981) and Alabama A&M Sports Hall of Fame (1993). In 1999 the Board of Trustees of Alabama A&M University approved the naming of the home radio booth at Lewis Crews Stadium: The "Issac W. 'Ike' Rooks Voice of the Bulldogs Radio Booth." Ike is married to the former Nancy Palmer and they have a son, Issac W. Rooks III.