There are few voices as recognizable in Indiana sports as Greg Rakestraw. Whether he’s calling an Indy Eleven match, hosting Colts pregame coverage or capturing the raw emotion of an IHSAA state championship, Rakestraw has spent over two decades serving as the soundtrack to the state's most triumphant athletic moments.
During a recent interview at Quills Coffee in downtown Indianapolis, the veteran broadcaster reflected on a career defined by bold pitches, adaptability and a deep-seated love for the local sports community.
The 25-Year-Old Architect
Rakestraw’s journey into the booth was fueled by an early, relentless hustle. He knew from a young age he wanted to work in sports. Though he initially considered the University of Evansville, he ultimately accepted a full ride to the University of Indianapolis, where he also played Division II tennis. He got a massive head start in the job market, landing a role at 1260 AM at the end of his sophomore year and getting hired full-time a month before he even graduated in 1998.
However, his first major career pivot came during a turbulent time for the media landscape. Following 9/11, local station donations at 950 AM, a pay-for-play station where he worked, were plummeting. At just 25 years old, Rakestraw saw an opening.
"I sent a blind email to ABC Radio," Rakestraw recalled. "Hi, here's who we are... 24/7, we would like to carry your programming."
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Three hours later, the phone rang. Within a week, the deal was done. Rakestraw became the program director and afternoon drive host, officially bringing ESPN Radio to Indianapolis in the summer of 2002.
Expanding the Playbook
While Rakestraw had established himself in radio, his next major career break required him to completely expand his broadcasting playbook. When he transitioned to HomeTown Sports Indiana in 2009, the job demanded immense versatility. With legendary broadcaster Jerry Baker taking the marquee games, Rakestraw was tasked with everything else.
"Learn how to do volleyball. Learn how to do soccer," he said.
That willingness to adapt led to monumental opportunities. When the Indy Eleven franchise was forming, Rakestraw attended an Inter Milan vs. Chelsea match at Lucas Oil Stadium and saw an opportunity. He and his team pitched the new soccer club on buying weekly airtime on a station that already hosted the Colts, Pacers and the Indy 500, making the new team "cool by association."
Months later, the team asked him to be their play-by-play voice. He has since called nearly 300 matches for the club over the last 12 years.
Surreal Moments and Hometown Pride
In his time behind the mic, Rakestraw has navigated some of the most bizarre and historic moments in local sports history. He was the voice tasked with reading the script announcing Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement. He had to handle Indy Eleven coach Martin Rennie resigning directly to him on live television. He broadcast games where gunfire broke out in the stands, and he called the haunting, empty-stand Indianapolis 500 in August 2020—an eerie experience where he could hear Takuma Sato’s victory screams echoing off the empty bleachers.
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Yet, despite reaching the heights of professional broadcasting—including working for the Colts Radio Network since 2012—his heart remains tethered to the grassroots level. He has called over 200 IHSAA state championships, but none stand out quite like the games involving Lanesville, his high school alma mater.
Coming from a graduating class of just 29 students, Rakestraw recently had the surreal experience of calling his hometown team's state championship victories on statewide television.
"The idea that I would be calling state championship games which featured the sons or daughters of the people I grew up with... is a mind blank to me," he shared.
The "Weed-Out" Class of Life
Today, Rakestraw is heavily involved in shaping the future of local sports media. When offering advice to the next generation of aspiring broadcasters, he doesn't sugarcoat the grueling reality of the industry. He notes that unlike college, the broadcasting industry doesn't have a formal "weed-out" class.
"Life is the weed-out class," Rakestraw explained, noting that the mid-to-late 20s are when many leave the business because friends in other careers begin making more money and enjoying normal social lives.
For those determined to make it, Rakestraw firmly believes that success isn't just about having a great voice; it's about versatility. "I did not take a vow of poverty. I enjoy making money doing this," he said. "But you can make money doing this if you are good, if you are talented, and you've got to be willing to be adaptable to how market influences change."
For Rakestraw, adapting even meant diving heavily into sales to support his broadcasts. It’s a testament to his belief that surviving in the sports media landscape means finding new ways to share the game you love with the city that raised you.