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Since the passing of BYU Broadcasting pioneer, Jay Monsen on Sunday, several local sports personalities have taken the time to mention just how important Mr. Monsen was to the sports broadcasting community -- especially at BYU.
I never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Monsen, but I felt I knew him because his voice was so familiar to me. Even though I associated him with television, his voice is what I remembered. While reading Greg Wrubell's thoughts about Mr. Monsen in Sunday night's "Cougar Tracks", it got me thinking about how influential the "voices" I've grown up with have been to me.
I knew from a very early age that I wanted to be in broadcasting. I would "play" radio as a little kid; interviewing my younger sister whenever I could. There was always something intriguing about being the person that others listened to for entertainment.
Growing up in Missouri, I had the privilege of having baseball around me as a kid. Going to Royals and Cardinals games, I was a big fan of Denny Matthews and Jack Buck. Jack was an icon; not only to Cardinals fans, but baseball fans all over the country.
When we moved to Utah in 1989, I was introduced to Hot Rod Hundley. I don't need to tell Jazz fans how good Hot Rod was. He had the great ability to make you feel like you were right next to the action. I'm willing to bet that most Jazz fans still use phrases like "With a gentle push and a mild arc, the old cowhide globe hits home", and "You gotta love it baby!"
For me though, the most influential broadcaster in my life has been Greg Wrubell. It was interesting to read Greg's comments on how influential Jay Monsen and Paul James were in his career -- because I look at him the same way.
Even though I've listened to as many BYU games with Paul James as I have with Greg Wrubell, Greg is my "Voice of the Cougars." It has been a dream come true to work with him this past year and be a part of the football and basketball broadcasts. Nobody is more prepared than Greg and just like all the great play-by-play guys, he does an amazing job of making you feel like you're inside the game.
With the exception of Greg Gumbel's call of "The Shot" from John Stockton, all of my memories of big games and big plays are from the radio. My most memorable radio highlight is without question, Greg Wrubell's call of Beck to Harline.
If you're a sports fan, chances are you've lived some of your greatest sports triumphs and defeats vicariously through your favorite broadcaster. I've been lucky enough to grow up with some of the greats. I can't imagine sports without them.
