Georgia Southern “Voice of the Eagles” and Learfield Sports general manager Chris Blair has accepted a role to become the play-by-play voice of the LSU Tigers following the conclusion of their 2015 football season.

Athletic Director Tom Kleinlein will work closely with Learfield Sports to review the best course of action for the Eagles’ 2015 football season and will make a decision in the coming weeks.
“I wish Chris good luck in his new role at LSU and want to thank him and his family for their over 10 years of service to Georgia Southern University,” Kleinlein said.

Blair also called men’s basketball and baseball at GSU. According to gseagles.com, he handles behind-the-scenes aspects with affiliate relations, network-marketing plans and overall sound presentation of GSU athletics on the air and the Internet. Blair also hosts the weekly radio shows for the football and basketball programs and the television show for football.

Kleinlein and Learfield Sports will launch a national search for a new general manager and play-by-play voice.
Blair’s first radio work at LSU will be the 2016 baseball season, according to lsusports.net. Blair will replace Jim Hawthorne, who will retire following the 2015-16 men’s basketball season after more than 30 years of play-by-play work for the school.

“The incredible opportunity and privilege to follow behind the legendary Jim Hawthorne, one of the most recognized and respected voices in college sports is truly a dream come true,” Blair said on lsusports.net. “To work and represent the most powerful brand in college athletics that has the nation’s most-passionate fans is an honor and one that I do not take lightly. My family and I are excited to soon be making Baton Rouge and Louisiana our home.”

Courier staff contributed to this report.