SAN ANTONIO — Bill Schoening's voice is familiar to every San Antonio Spurs fan.

He's in his 22nd season as the team's radio play-by-play broadcaster, which includes a current streak of over 2,000 consecutive games. 

“I try to bring energy and excitement and passion into each and every broadcast," Schoening said.

Schoening dreamt of being on the radio as a kid growing up in Philadelphia. 

“I was falling asleep one night listening to a Phillies game on the radio from the West Coast and decided that's what I want to do," Schoening said. "I want little kids to fall asleep listening to me." 

His broadcasting career started in a small town in southern Illinois. His next gig brought him to small-town Texas. 

“That's where you pay your dues," said Schoening, whose early career included stops in Lamesa and Huntsville, Texas. "That's really when you're honing your craft, because you don't always have the kind of equipment that you're gonna have later. You don't have the support.”

Those early experiences eventually helped him become the voice of the Texas Longhorns. 

“When I got my first full sports opportunity in 1989 at KLBJ [in Austin], and had a chance to do a lot more play-by-play, I realized that really was my passion," Schoening said. 

That passion was recognized this November when Schoening was induced into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. 

“If you have the passion and you're willing to work hard, you can make it," Schoening said. "That's what happened to me. I grew up in the inner city. I didn’t have any money.”

Over his 22-year span with the Spurs, he's been on the microphone for the biggest moments in franchise history. He said his favorite call is Manu Ginobili's second-quarter dunk over Chris Bosh in Game 5 of the 2014 NBA Finals.

“He's a great play-by-play guy, but he also knows how to entertain and have fun doing it," said Spurs TV broadcaster Bill Land. "That translates to his audience when they listen.”

“Just always has a smile on his face," said Memphis Grizzlies radio broadcaster Eric Hassletine. "That quirky, funny friend that you have that isn't looking for approval. He's just gonna be Bill."

Authenticity that comes out on the airwaves through the voice of Bill Schoening. A long way from southwest Philly. For sleepy kids, everywhere. 

“The dream came true," Schoening said.