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See the full story · 1 sourcesWashington's replacement for Tony Castricone in the broadcasting booth is someone who has actually filled in for him before.
The Huskies announced that former sideline reporter Elise Woodward will move up to the booth and become the new play-by-play voice for Washington football, a role she took on in 2021 for two games - against Arizona State and Colorado - while Castricone was absent for the birth of his son. Castricone left to become the voice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason.
The new voice of Husky football 🎙️ @UWAthletics is proud to welcome veteran broadcaster Elise Woodward as the radio play-by-play voice of @UW_Football . 📰 https://t.co/Q8OSv4SMmg pic.twitter.com/2o7yf4xgl9
— Washington Athletics (@UWAthletics) July 28, 2026 Woodward has been around the Huskies since 1993, when the Eugene, Oregon native committed to Washington as a basketball player. She helped Washington reach the NCAA Tournament three times, was a team captain as a senior in 1997, and then spent 23 seasons as the Huskies' sideline reporter. She is also the voice of the WNBA's Portland Fire, who began play this season, and has broadcast locally for both the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics and WNBA's Seattle Storm. She also does national play-by-play for the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on ESPN, a role a Washington spokesperson told the Seattle Times the school will allow her to continue. That means that the Huskies will hire a separate replacement for Castricone in the men's basketball booth.
"We are excited to name Washington alumna and former student-athlete Elise Woodward as the new play-by-play voice of Husky Football," Huskies athletic director Pat Chun said of the promotion in a press release.
"Elise has built an outstanding career as a sports broadcaster at both the national and local levels. She has established herself as a trusted voice within the Husky community through her years covering UW Football, Women's Basketball, and Seattle sports. She knows this university, its traditions, and the rich history of this role. We couldn't be more excited to have Elise carry forward the legacy of being the voice of Husky Football."
Woodward's promotion also makes her what is believed to be the first woman to hold a full-time play-by-play role for an FBS football team, according to reporting from ESPN's Holly Rowe and The Athletic. She was also roommates on Montlake with current UW radio color analyst Cam Cleeland's wife, former Huskies softball player Mindy Williams.
"Having the opportunity to be the voice of University of Washington football is the honor of my lifetime," Woodward said in the same release. "As a Dawg, I take so much pride in the rich history and tradition of Husky football. I am so thankful for the last 23 seasons that I spent on the sidelines, but I'm also beyond excited to trade in my rain gear for the warmth of the Bob Rondeau radio booth."
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Washington football hires new radio play-by-play voice
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