Hicks to replace Hammond as play-by-play announcer on NBC's Notre Dame games

NEW YORK – NBC says Dan Hicks is replacing Tom Hammond as the lead play-by-play announcer on the network's Notre Dame broadcasts this season.

Hicks' first assignment comes Saturday, when NBC Sports Network airs Notre Dame's spring football game.

Hammond has been the lead Notre Dame announcer for NBC since 1992. NBC says Hammond will continue to be the network's lead announcer for Triple Crown horse racing, figure skating and track and field at the Olympics.

Hicks has been NBC's top golf announcer and a major part of the network's Olympic coverage, covering swimming. He has previous experience with football, doing play-by-play of NFL game when NBC had the AFC package in the 1990s.

Hicks will join analyst Mike Mayock and sideline reporter Alex Flanagan on Notre Dame games.