Fresh off his nomination to the Texas Radio Hall of Fame class of 2025, Gentry “Ace” Little is getting ready to call his 1840th or so high school game broadcast for the Crowley High School Eagles on August 28th against the Birdville High School Hawks.
This is even more special since the Crowley Eagles are coming off their best season since 1971.
Little's role as the voice of Crowley ISD athletics and play-by-play broadcaster for the BGC Sports Network based in Fort Worth, a role he began in October 2017. He served as the radio voice of the Brock Lady Eagles basketball team during their legendary run of five consecutive state championships. In addition to his on-air work, he handles sales and hosts a weekday talk show.
Much like a player in the games he's covering, Little starts preparing five days ahead for his football broadcasts and two days ahead for basketball. He's so into the game that his emotional state can match those of the athletes on the field or court.
"I have broken a window before and thrown water bottles," Little told mikemcguff.com. "I don’t eat on gameday. Stomach too tight,"
Considering I just directed a documentary that featured the person who invented the KISS Kasket, I wondered if the name Ace was connected to the famous makeup-wearing rock band.
Sure enough, Little was in an air band while in high school.
"I play guitar, so I became Ace [Frehley]," Little told me of his name's origin.
Little’s reputation extends beyond the press box and air band world. He was recognized in 2006 as Texas High School Broadcaster of the Year by Texas Monthly, honored by the Texas Legislature in 2011 for calling 900 games, and recognized by Governor Greg Abbott in 2016 for 35 years in broadcasting. He also received a proclamation from former Governor Rick Perry.
His broadcasting journey began in 1982 at KETR on the campus of East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University–Commerce) where he earned his bachelor's degree in Radio-TV. That same year, Little called his first game on cassette tape: a 27–14 win by Commerce over North Lamar. He’s been calling games ever since.
From there, Little has worked for the likes of radio stations such as KCLE, KBST, KHBR, KSTV, KZEE, and WBAP.
At KBST Radio in Big Spring (2015–2017), he served as play-by-play announcer for Stanton and Big Spring High Schools, as well as Howard College basketball and softball. He also hosted “The Best Sports Show on the Radio,” served as News Director, and anchored ten daily newscasts across three stations.
From 2013 to 2015, he worked at KMZE Radio in Woodward, Oklahoma, providing play-by-play for the Woodward Boomers, co-hosting “The Sports Nutz,” and anchoring seven newscasts daily.
Between 2002 and 2012, Little was the play-by-play voice of Weatherford ISD at KYQX Radio, while also covering Aledo, Mineral Wells, Bridgeport, Brock, Springtown, Azle, and others. He also did minor league baseball with the Weatherford Wranglers and college broadcasts for Weatherford College.
At KHBR Radio in Hillsboro (2001–2002), Little covered Hillsboro High football and Hill College baseball/softball, as well as city and county government beats.
He spent four years as an overnight producer/reporter at USA Radio Network in Dallas, covering breaking national and international news and maintaining the network’s audio archive.
From 1994 to 2001, Little served as News and Sports Director at KCLE Radio in Cleburne, producing multiple newscasts daily and calling games for Cleburne High School.
His earlier years included reporting and play-by-play at KSTV in Stephenville, KZEE in Weatherford, and work with the WBAP Sports Department, where he contributed to the “Jim Reeves Show” and covered Lone Star and Southland Conference games for Steve Lamb.
From 1987 to 1989, Little served as Assistant SID at the University of North Texas, handling stats and media operations for football and basketball.
From the cassette era to the digital age, Little has remained a constant presence in the Texas press box with an "Ace" up his sleeve for good luck.
