Clyde “Kooter” Roberson
For four decades, it was nearly impossible to avoid the deep, familiar voice of Clyde “Kooter” Roberson in Huntsville, Texas. His voice was everywhere. Kooter joined 101.7 KSAM in 1970 and spent forty years as the station’s entertaining morning man — signing off each day just as most people were getting started. Huntsville woke up to “Kooter in your radio,” and then followed that voice right into the stands.
Away from the studio, he was the soundtrack of local sports for nearly half a century. He called play-by-play for the Huntsville Hornets and the Sam Houston State Bearkats across football, basketball, and other sports. When broadcast rights moved to another station, Kooter simply moved to the P.A. booth — announcing Bearkat games and serving as the stadium voice for Sam Houston baseball for 15 years. That same voice filled the Walker County Fair and Rodeo grounds as well.
After 49 years behind the microphone, Kooter had become so intertwined with Bearkat Athletics and the Huntsville community that his name and the programs were inseparable. It was a legacy recognized by Sam Houston State University Alumni Association, which honored him with its prestigious Service Award — a fitting tribute to a man whose voice, for so many residents, was simply the sound of home. As a friend, former co-worker and current General Manager of 101.7 KSAM, I enthusiastically nominate our dear friend Clyde “Kooter” Roberson to the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.
Clyde Norris “Kooter” Roberson started at KSAM Radio when he was a student at Huntsville High School, and quickly became a staple at the local station for most of the next five decades. Kooter was the entertaining, deep voiced morning celebrity but also the play by play voice of the Sam Houston State Bearkats and Huntsville Hornets. He was deeply involved in the community, serving on the Walker County Fair Board, and serving as the master of ceremonies at the county fair rodeo. He sang in the choir at the Calvert Baptist Church for over 40 years and would regularly have community leaders on the air to promote local events and fundraisers. Even though health issues forced an early retirement several years ago, Kooter is still beloved in the Huntsville/Walker County area.
