The voice of the Kentucky Wildcats and life-long friend of Shanda Crosby, George Rogers Clark’s journalism teacher, Tom Leach came to speak to Journalism 1 students on Tuesday afternoon.

Leach took questions from aspiring journalists that helped advance their knowledge on his career path, Kentucky sports and any other topics that popped into the kids’ heads.

“I’m always critiquing my own work, looking for ways to get better,” Leach told the class. “Recently I sent one of my tapes to my friend in New York because it’s a lot harder to see or hear what you’re saying because you know what you’re trying to say even if it’s not there.”

Leach shared the path he took to become UK’s play-by-play guy, which started when he was still in high school.

“When I was 16 I already knew this was what I wanted to do, so I went down to the local radio station and got a job calling football and basketball games,” Leach said. “I got the job at UK with no experience calling college games, which usually doesn’t happen.”

Leach shared his favorite games he’s called during his tenure, with distinct recollections from the football and basketball games.

“My favorite call from a football game was last year in the Citrus Bowl when Benny Snell broke the all-time rushing record, on a touchdown run, in a huge bowl game,” Leach said. “And in 2012 when Kentucky won the national championship. You think when you’re a play-by-play guy for Kentucky, you’ll call a national championship or two, so that one allowed me to join the club.”

Leach also talked to the GRC students about his meeting with Cardinal alum and UK basketball player Brennan Canada.

“On media day I made it a point to go over and ask him if he knew Mrs. Crosby, and of course he did,” Leach said. “That’s a connection he and I have now.”