“What we do on radio and television has consequences,” said Uecker. “Greg has always strived to be the ears and eyes of the listener, but also a good journalist.” Reporting instincts aren’t developed overnight. Like any announcer, Rakestraw chases perfection, even while knowing it’s unattainable. He often quotes golf legend Ben Hogan: “The secret’s in the dirt. Keep swinging. You’ll figure it out.” Those swings started at age five in his living room, where he mimicked announcers on TV. He discovered his calling long before most kids knew how to tie their shoes. Attending UIndy, however, was not the initial plan. His heart was set on the University of Evansville. He had everything mapped out until a last-minute scholarship opportunity at UIndy changed everything. He couldn’t pass up a full ride. Little did he know that UIndy would provide a stage few universities could match. WICR operates like a professional radio station while putting students on air immediately. “You can’t get better if you’re not calling games,” added Uecker. Rakestraw admits his early broadcasts were far from polished. He spoke too quickly, and his southern Indiana drawl was more pronounced. By his senior year, he sounded professional, and Uecker took notice. Through constant feedback, he helped Rakestraw sharpen his delivery and push toward his ceiling. As a mentor to aspiring broadcasters, Uecker stressed that “90 percent of your preparation happens before you get to the stadium.” He jokingly added that Rakestraw isn’t exactly the model to follow. “It’ll look like Greg has not done his preparation, but he has the unique ability to see or read something and have it memorized,” said Uecker. “The rest of us had copious notes. I always envied the way he retained information.” Despite being a human encyclopedia, filled with rosters and statistics, Rakestraw doesn’t let his thoughts eat up every second of the broadcast. He’s consciously trying to not become bigger than the game. Instead, his voice amplifies iconic moments while still allowing the game to breathe. “I’m trying to provide the soundtrack but also revel in great moments as they would as a fan,” he added. Rooted in that philosophy, Rakestraw processed Luck’s retirement like any other fan, still in shock to this day. Without a last-minute college decision, he might not have been there to witness it. For a small-town Indiana kid who first found his voice imitating broadcasters in his living room, UIndy became “an entry point to go to the big city but not be overwhelmed by it.” As the stage gets bigger, so does the story, and it rarely goes according to plan. Still, no matter how it unfolds, whether his voice is at full strength or barely holding on, he cherishes the opportunity to be the one to tell it.
Greg Rakestraw with Grady II at Key Stadium 2026.
Rakestraw interviews 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Chase Elliott. ⊲
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MAGAZINE // SUMMER 2026
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