CALEXICO – Since 1994, the voices of John Moreno and Victor Carrillo have been the singular voice of the Calexico Bulldogs football team. Their signature catchphrase, “From the Chocolate Mountains to the Sea of Cortez, up and down the border, on a Friday night, it’s Bulldog Radio,” has been a staple of their broadcast with fans listening throughout the Imperial Valley and beyond. With a strong passion to continue their broadcast towards a larger audience base, Moreno and Carrillo will transition their broadcast this upcoming season under the Valley Sports Network banner. It is a transition that both Moreno and Carrillo feel is necessary to reach a wider audience.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to broadcast games for VSN, not just for Calexico, but for the entire valley,” said Moreno. “We’ve seen in the last couple of seasons that people don’t listen to us because they don’t have a radio. Everything is moving towards seeing the action; so, it was only a matter of time before we made this move. [Moving to VSN] is the right move for us and it couldn’t be at a better time.”
“After being on the radio for 27 years, we feel it’s time to expand our audience base,” said Carrillo. “People will now get a chance to see the games on their phones, computers, or TV rather than just hearing the game.”
Moreno, who serves as the Director of Alternative Education at Aurora Continuation High School, has extensive ties to the Bulldog program. He has served as a coach and athletic director at Calexico before moving up to the booth.
Carrillo, a 1968 graduate of Calexico High School, played collegiate baseball in Arkansas before coming back to the Valley where he worked in education for the better part of three decades. He has been a member of the Calexico City Council and the Imperial County Board of Supervisors during his career of public service.
“I was the PA announcer for Calexico when KMXX said that they needed an announcer for their radio broadcast,” said Moreno. “At the time, it was just me and a guy who would read the ads on air, so there wasn’t great chemistry early on.”
Moreno recruited his cousin Victor Carrillo, who had extensive ties to the Bulldog program, to the broadcast booth. The tandem of Moreno and Carrillo would prove to be a wise move.
“This was a no-brainer for me,” said Carrillo when Moreno asked him to be a part of Bulldog Radio. “Who wouldn’t want to talk sports and watch the games that mean so much to this community. It’s been a lot of fun, even after all these years.”
“Maybe it was our mutual love for the game and for [Calexico], but it truly is like having a conversation with your best friend every time we’re on the air,” said Moreno. “Everything just flows really well and we have a great time talking football every week.”
Moreno and Carrillo will be heading the second VSN livestream team, covering games mostly featuring the Calexico Bulldogs, Southwest Eagles, and Vincent Memorial Scots.
“This gives [VSN] a great opportunity to continue to grow our brand throughout the Valley and to reach more people this upcoming season,” said VSN’s founder Will Torrez. “John and Vic are known throughout the Valley and having them come in with us will only make each other stronger.”
VSN is also contemplating the addition of a 3rd livestream team for the fall, though no announcement has been made.
Such a great Duo with years of history with the Calexico Bull Dogs. Excited to not only hear them but see their production in action. Congrats.