Nick Saban, Alabama Head Coach 5-1-08
Johnny "Ballpark" Franks
Johnny “Ballpark” Franks is the afternoon host each weekday from 3-6 PM on Huntsville’s SportsRadio 730 The Ump, the local ESPN and Crimson Tide affiliate. His show focuses on the local, state and national sports scenes. “Get in the Game” by calling the show, 1-866-485-9867.
His growing list of great guests includes the following: Nick Saban (Alabama head football coach), Tommy Tuberville (Auburn head football coach), John Feinstein (sports author), Johnny Musso (Alabama football legend), Pat Sullivan (Auburn’s 1971 Heisman Trophy winner), and Phil Niekro and Bobby Doerr (Members of the Baseball Hall of Fame).
A native of North Alabama, Johnny “Ballpark” Franks, was born in Decatur (Ala.) and graduated from Huntsville’s Butler High School in 1981. Acquiring his nickname “Ballpark” in the 1970s from his days as a radio DJ and sports announcer, he went on to work 16 years in the sports industry upon graduating from Florida State University in 1985.
From 1986 to 1988 Franks was the director of publicity for the Nashville Sounds Baseball Club, the AAA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds at the time. Many of the players he worked with in Nashville went on to help the Reds claim the World Series in 1990, like Chris Sabo, Rob Dibble, Paul O’Neill, Norm Charlton and Tom Browning .
He became the sports information director at Tennessee State University in 1988; where he went on to handle media relations and game management duties for over 1,500 NCAA sporting events. In addition, he hosted coaches’ shows on television for football and men’s basketball. After departing TSU in 1998 to accept a position at Nashville’s Gish Sherwood & Friends, a local marketing agency, he did return 15 months later to TSU as the newly named Associate Athletics Director, a role he held until 2001 before leaving the industry.
While working as account supervisor at GS&F, Franks contributed significantly in developing and implementing the marketing plans of a diverse group of clients, including the TENNFL and Tennessee Oilers/Titans. He played a vital part in the transition of the NFL team to Nashville.
After leaving sports administration in 2001, Franks worked in the private sector, specializing in public relations, marketing, and event management, with an emphasis on the entertainment world. He has had the pleasure of working with the likes of Blake Shelton, Shania Twain and K.C. and the Sunshine Band.
His honors and accolades are numerous as Johnny is one of the most decorated sports publicists ever. Franks was named the recipient of the Cal Jacox/Champ Clark Award, presented annually to the top sports information director from a historically black university, in 1992, 1995 and 1996, while placing second in 1990 and third in 1993. His media guides, press releases and game programs won dozens of awards, including “best cover in the nation for I-AA” for the 1993 football media guide. The Tennessee Sports Writers Association honored him with the award for best press release in 1997 for Division I. Also, he was presented by Tennessee State University the Distinguished Service Award in 1994 and Distinguished Public Service Award in 1997. Finally, the Society for Professional Journalists recognized him in 1997 for Outstanding Contributions in Sports Journalism.
Johnny holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Florida State University in 1985 and a master’s degree with honors in business administration from Tennessee State University in 1995. He has devoted over thirty years to community service projects, working with over 100 charities, with a focus now on those organizations who work with children and animals.
