Washington has its new voice in the radio booth, and it’s a familiar one.
Elise Woodward, who has spent more than two decades as Washington’s sideline football reporter, will step in as the Huskies’ lead play-by-play announcer after Tony Castricone left the university to become the lead play-by-play voice for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The move was announced Tuesday by Washington Athletics in a post on X, coming as the Huskies prepare for Big Ten media days at the Hilton Chicago from Tuesday through Thursday. Washington is heading into the 2026-27 season with expectations of potentially contending for a College Football Playoff spot, and now it will do so with a new broadcaster calling the action.
Woodward’s ties to Washington run well beyond the sideline. She played women’s basketball for four years, served as a captain in her senior season, and graduated in 1997.
Her résumé in sports broadcasting is just as deep. Along with her longtime UW work, Woodward is currently the lead broadcaster for the WNBA expansion team Portland Fire, which is in its first season.
She has also worked as a pregame and postgame host for the Seattle Storm, Seattle SuperSonics, Portland Trail Blazers, the Big Ten Network and Pac-12 Network. In addition, she hosts her own show on Seattle radio station KJR and has served as the television broadcaster for NCAA women’s tournament games for ESPN.
She has also called men’s and women’s basketball games for FOX and the Big Ten Network.
According to Seattle Times reporter Andy Yamashita, Washington plans to hire a separate play-by-play broadcaster for men’s basketball, a move that will let Woodward keep her current duties with the Fire and her work calling games for the Big Ten Network.
Woodward has already had some experience in the football booth, having previously filled in for Castricone.
“Having the opportunity to be the voice of University of Washington football is the honor of my lifetime,” Woodward said in a news release from UW. “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.”