Ryan Hornish loves his role as voice of the Cavaliers

By Neill Kirkpatrick

Special to the HSSR

Greenville – Every Friday night across South Carolina high school football teams get ready to do battle with their opponents and every home team gets set to take the field with their “Voice” in the press box getting the crowd revved up and for the Christ Church Cavaliers that voice is Ryan Hornish.

Hornish has been behind the mic for not only Cavalier football games but he has also been the voice of Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling, Baseball, as well as few football banquets, Hall of Fame inductions and most spring and fall awards ceremonies since 2014.

Hornish says, “if I am available and a CCES team needs help, I am happy to assist. It has been a fun ride and I cannot wait to see the future Cavalier teams compete.”

Growing up a sports enthusiasts in Texas playing Basketball and golf at Waco Midway High School. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1996 and made his way to Greenville in 1999. In 2013 is when his association with CCE began when his two oldest children enrolled, Blake (’20) and Meryl (’22). His younger children are Payne (’25), and Mills (’28) are currently Cavaliers.

Hornish’s announcing gig started by default in 2014 when he began calling D-team games when his oldest son Blake was playing on those team.

“My wife, Angela, and some of our friends thought that I should do it. Although I had no qualifications, I do have good sense of humor, quick wit, and a good understanding of most sports, so I accepted the challenge and had some fun with it,” Hornish said.

The success with the D-team games was so well received, when long time voice of the Cavaliers Wes Clarke decided to take a new position in the upper school Hornish was the next man up and he will be staring his 11^th year as the voice of the Cavs.

In 10 years behind the mic, he has seen some very good athletes and teams as CCE continues to be one of the top athletic programs in the state. The HSSR asked Hornish what his favorite moment behind the mic has been and it was a very recent game.

“I would have to say that the 2022 final regular season game against our rival Southside Christian. We were playing for our first Region Championship since 2014 and SCHS outplayed us for most of the game. Trailing 10-0 at half and 13-7 with just over 2 minutes left in the game and SCHS had the ball 1^st and goal at our 4-yard line.

I asked the Cavalier fans. “Do you Believe, I know I do, this game is not over yet. The team forced a field goal which was missed. The offense then drove 97 yards to score with 50 seconds left and with the extra point the Cavs captured the region title 14-13 and then went on to beat Johnsonville for their first state championship since 2014.” 

We also asked him what makes CCE such a specials place for its athletes and He responded, “I give credit to our Athletic Director Molly Miller for hiring a staff of great coaches across all sports. CCES has been blessed to have some amazing athletes over the years across so many different sports, but I attribute our athletic success to great leadership and coaching to help these athletes reach their full potential.”

Hornish also pointed out the core values at CCE. CCES is an acronym for Community, Character, Excellence, & Service. These principals are ingrained in each of our students and student athletes and plays a key role in our athletic success.

“I consider the entire CCES community as my extended family. I am honored and blessed to have had 4 children attend CCES through the years. I have had the pleasure of watching them succeed and thrive personally, academically, and athletically, both at CCES and beyond. My role as the “voice of the Cavs” is my way of paying the CCES community back for the role CCES has played in each of their lives,” said Hornish.