BARRIER BREAKER: FAMU SJGC Alumna Thai Floyd Named First Full-Time Female Football Announcer at an HBCU
Thai Floyd, a proud alumna of Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (FAMU SJGC), has made double history.
Last week, Floyd was named the lead play-by-play voice of Alabama A&M University football and host of “The Coaches Show.”
She is the first woman to hold this role at Alabama A&M and the first woman to serve as the full-time voice of a historically Black college or university (HBCU) football team.
Thai Floyd is making national headlines and national history as the new full-time,
play-by-play announcer for Alabama A&M's Bulldogs. (Photo by: Christian Whitaker)
“This opportunity means a lot,” said Floyd, who is also set to become a two-time HBCU graduate, earning a degree in broadcast journalism from FAMU in 2019 and currently pursuing a master’s degree at Alabama A&M.
Being the daughter of former Florida State University and NFL fullback William Floyd, Thai Floyd not only possesses an innate drive to excel at the highest level, but her success was also inspired by the legacy of FAMU SJGC sports media giants who came before her.
“I’m honored to represent not only Alabama A&M but also the legacy of excellence I gained at FAMU and through the SJGC program,” Thai Floyd said. “This moment is a reflection of everything I learned there—how to lead with faith, excellence, and resilience.
Floyd recently returned to “The Hill” in the spring to participate in the Minorities in Sports Symposium, where she shared her journey and poured into the next generation of sports professionals.
Floyd's love for the HBCU community never keeps her too far from her Rattler family.
She is pictured here reporting from the field on a chilly day during the 2024 Florida
Classic. (Photo by: Christian Whitaker)
She said, “I always say SJGC taught me how to use my voice, and now I get to use it on one of the biggest stages in college sports.”
Social media, HBCU media and sports media were abuzz with excitement about Floyd’s barrier-breaking news, including being nicknamed by fans “trailblazing Thai.” The support and encouragement she’s received have left her “overwhelmed with joy.”
In her moment of celebration, she took the opportunity to show her gratitude to a fellow FAMU SJGC alumna, Tiffany A. Greene, who made history as the first African American woman to become a play-by-play college football commentator for a major network.
Floyd’s unique style of reporting and announcing, coupled with the confidence she
exudes, has made her a favorite among HBCU fans. (Photo by: Alabama A&M Athletics)
“Thank you so much for pouring into me, your advice, encouragement, and being the example,” Floyd wrote to Greene on social media.
Brian Howard, Alabama A&M’s assistant athletic director for athletic communications, said Floyd’s achievement reflects not only her contributions in media but also her vision to make an even greater impact in college sports.
“Thai is an outstanding talent and well-deserving of becoming the lead play-by-play broadcaster for Alabama A&M football,” said Howard, who previously served as FAMU’s director of athletic communications and assistant director of communications. This [appointment] is a historic move for the university and all of collegiate athletics. This role is part of a bigger goal in Thai’s future, and we are excited to be a part of her journey.”
Floyd, who has publicly expressed her dream of being a part of an all-female broadcast with talent like Greene one day, previously served as a digital media specialist and reporter for Alabama A&M athletics and has had an award-winning career as a multimedia sports journalist with a strong background in high school, collegiate, and professional sports reporting.
She’s been featured on NBC Sports Philadelphia, in HBCU Legends on Sports Illustrated, and on ESPN’s Andscape. Her résumé also includes work as a sideline reporter and play-by-play commentator for over 60 games on ESPNU and ESPN+.
Over the years, she has lived out her passion for sports storytelling as a multimedia journalist and on main stages as a host for major events like the Celebration Bowl, Cheez-It Bowl, Pop-Tarts Bowl, the Florida Classic, and Black College Hall of Fame Game.
As a FAMU SJGC student, Floyd was a digital host, producer, and on-air personality for WANM-FM 90.5 and a sportswriter for The FAMUAN.
Media Contact:
Rachel James-Terry
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
