NFL quarterback Matt Schaub returns to UVA as a broadcaster

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Matt Schaub is returning to his alma-mater this fall to be part of a three-man broadcasting team calling games on UVA radio.

He’s getting into broadcasting after playing 17 years in the NFL.

“A lot happened in 17 years I went from being a backup to a starter, to getting traded, to benched, to being a backup again,” says Schaub. “I’ve seen it all as a player and had to take it all. There’s a lot of stuff as a player that I went through, just given that knowledge on the football field, I feel like there’s a lot that can be bridged from the listener to what is actually going on on the field.”

Schaub retired from the NFL three years ago.

He played four seasons at UVA, setting 22 offensive records and was named ACC Player of the Year in 2002.

“The guys that I played with, the locker room. You grow up with your teammates,” says Schaub. “It’s hard to forget the last game here at Scott Stadium against Virginia Tech in 2003.”

Schaub threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns that day leading UVA to a 35-21 win over Virginia Tech.

Now he’s broadcasting UVA games on the radio with partners Ahmad Hawkins and John Freeman.

“When I talked to him about the job, I said we’ve probably met before but you don’t remember me,” says Freeman. “I rushed the field when you beat Virginia Tech and I might have tapped your pads when I was in high school.”

Freeman adds about Schaub: “He knows how to prepare for a football game. He watched so much film. He came loaded with so many facts and points that he wanted to make. Even though he’s played in the NFL and played at such a high level, he’s able to take what he sees and simplify it so that a general person listening to the radio can understand.”

Schaub, his wife and five kids live in Atlanta. Shaub will be part of the UVA radio broadcast for three more games, two on the road and Virginia’s home game against North Carolina.

“I like what Tony’s [Elliott] doing and the team he’s building. The past couple years there’s been a lot of adversity for the organization but they’ve battled through it,” says Schaub. “I love the roster, love the team, they’re healthy. Love what Anthony Colandrea is going to bring to the offense and the leadership on defense up front and Jonas Sanker in the secondary so I really like the talent level we have.”

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