Voice(s) - Miami Hockey radio voice, Greg Waddell

I just wanted to send a thank you shout out to some folks, now that the season has come to its unfortunate end.  Trust me, I am not over the heartbreak of the results from the game with Boston College, so I can only imagine how the players and coaches are still feeling.  It finally hit me Sunday night after we returned from Worcester, that the magical run was over.  While running the distinct chance of sounding like a complete ass-kiss, I hope you will indulge me with a few (and I apologize in advance, probably sappy) thank yous for the past season.  Many of you may have heard the end of my broadcast Sunday, so this may sound like a repeat, so I again, apologize in advance.

First off, huge thanks to the Miami hockey operations staff.  In his first year as Director of Hockey Operations, Nick Petraglia was an absolute natural for the job.  He made my life so much easier by making me feel a part of the family and including in many aspects of the behind-the-scenes workings of this great program.  The passion that “Trags” has for Miami hockey is as deep as anyone associated with the program.  For that, Miami hockey is lucky.  The same goes for assistant coaches Chris Bergeron and Jeff Blashill.  They were always and readily available if I ever had a question or needed something to help prepare for a broadcast.  And certainly last, but not least, Head Coach Rico Blasi.  For someone that has accomplished as much as he has with the Miami hockey program in a relatively short time, be it wins on the ice, coaching accolade recognition from his peers or just game preparation, Rico was also some very approachable and willing to help make my job that much easier.  Rico Blasi and his staff are the class of the CCHA and incredible ambassadors for the greatness of Miami University.  I feel incredibly fortunate to have been around and included in that circle.

Thanks to all the MHT’ers.  A thoroughly enjoyed coming home (or the hotel) and reading the pages and pages of entertaining and hysterical comments from the most loyal of Redhawk hockey fans.  For the most part, I was new to the site.  There were many times I learned from the postings.  There were also times, I didn’t agree with what I had read.  But just because I didn’t post, didn’t mean I wasn’t reading.   What I did find was MHT is a useful tool to help understand the passion of Miami hockey.  I guess I am one of those-there lurkers to the message board.

Also thanks to the Miami Athletic and Sports Information Departments.  Thankfully the higher-ups at Miami University recognize what Brad Bates means to the school.  He is another person that is incredibly approachable and willing to talk shop.  Whether it was talking Miami hockey or any of the other sports teams on campus, B2 speaks with enthusiasm for each team.  To Mike Pearson and Nick Banaszak, many thanks!!!  Nick came in to the program, under-the-gun.  He joined the staff in season and had to play catch-up from the get-go.  He grew in his position and came to understand exactly how special a program Miami hockey is, and represented it well. 

To THE VOICE, of the Redhawks, Steve Baker:  Thank you for giving me this opportunity to be associated with, not only Miami hockey, but also Miami University.  While working with Clear Channel Cincinnati a few years back, I was in the right spot, at the right time, to be able to do the halftime scoreboard show during Redhawk football broadcasts.  It took only one scoreboard show, to see the passion and dedication that Steve Baker puts into his work.  I have said this before and I repeat it again, I hope the fans and boosters of Miami University understand how fortunate you are to have someone like “Bake”.  His on air work is second to no one in the business, including the great hall famer Marty Brennaman or any national type announcers.  I feel very fortunate to be able to work with Bake!  I was thrilled when the university rewarded Bake with his promotion to assistant athletic director.  It could not have been more deserving.

Also, to Diamond Dave Allen who I now have dubbed, “The TV Face” (instead of voice) of Miami Hockey:  I have known Dave for many years, through our associations with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and various other minor pro hockey teams.  He is another person (in a long list) that has a tremendous passion for Miami hockey.  He bailed me out and was in the booth for me at BGSU this year, when I had an obligation with the full time job.  We had a great amount of fun at Ohio State broadcasting together and the offer is there anytime to join me (if space limitations allow in the press box at Coach Steve Cady Arena) in the booth to broadcast Redhawks hockey.

Finally, to my family:  A HUGE thank you for your sacrifice during the season.  As a father of two wonderful kids, Zac and Madeline, it takes a family effort to maneuver the travel and work schedule during the season, to keep the family life as normal as possible.  My proverbial better half Cindy, my kids grandparents who are my mother and father Sue and Skip and in-laws Linda and Rick, have all been incredibly flexible with their time to give me this opportunity to be a part of Miami hockey.  They all did it, seemingly willingly and never complained (at least to me) while watching the kids, be it early in the morning before school or late on the weekends.   Being the sports-minded guy I have always been, their effort is the epitome of a team effort and I thank you, a thousand times over and that probably still isn’t enough!!!  I love you guys with all my heart!

For someone that has been around the sports broadcasting industry for many, many years, I have seen and been a part of many different levels of play, success and emotion.  I hate to think that we will never again see the smooth yet aggressive style of #26.  Of all the athletes I have covered over the years, Ryan Jones has been among my favorite.  That includes the likes of many Reds and Bengals players that had not forgotten where they came from after all the mountains of money.  Ryan Jones has already left Oxford and signed with the Minnesota Wild and will definitely get the opportunity to play hockey at the highest level.  He told me after the BC game Sunday, as big an opportunity as that is to eventually play in the NHL, it was equally important for him to receive his degree from Miami University, which he has also accomplished.  When he had the forethought to say this after the agonizing overtime loss to BC, my respect for Ryan Jones was solidified:

"It's kind of scary to think about taking this jersey off for the last time. I got to play with a bunch of guys I loved. I can't even put into words what it meant for me to come back this year.  "I heard the comment that Miami strives to be BC," he continued. "But Miami just strives to be Miami. Love and honor to Miami. This team's going to be there someday. I'll be the first alum to call when they go to the Frozen Four."

As fun and fulfilling, as it was to watch Jonesy play his game this y ear, it was equally sad to see Nathan Davis cheated from the opportunity for the same success in his final year.  His play through his first three years at Miami was just as important as Jones.  I shudder to think what a full year of a healthy Nathan Davis would have help to produce in 2007-2008.  And how about the class of Charley Effinger?  The fact that the former CCHA Goaltender of the year sacrificed playing time for the betterment of the team, without a single complaint is incredibly admirable, yet totally representable of “The Brotherhood”.  I could write pages of thanks for each senior but…. So best of luck and a huge thank you to Ryan Jones and to all the seniors, Davis, Effinger, Nino Musitelli, Mitch Ganzak, Charley Fetzer and Brad Robbins that have elevated this program to new heights with 98 wins and the first-ever NCAA tournament wins. 

As sad as it is those players move on, the cupboard is not bare.  The future of Miami hockey is bright thanks to this year’s senior class and all the players that have donned the Red and White sweater over the years.  While it is still to painful to completely acknowledge this season has ended, I do know that in very short order, I will be very excited to be a part of this program as the 2008-2009 season begins in October. 

Thanks for letting me a part of this!

Greg Waddell

Radio Voice of Miami Hockey

Comments

[Tom]

Hey Greg Waddell!
How incredible is it when you Google one thing and it eventually leads you somewhere unexpected? I enjoyed reading of your career over the years but don't forget where your journey began -- with the Hawks in good 'ol Saginaw MI! I haven't heard from you since then but glad all is well. Just wanted to send a hello from your past.
-- Tom

[Greg]

Greg,

Great to read your article. I too enjoyed the trip to Saginaw to see where my former college roomate started his career. Sounds like you are having a blast. Continued success.
- Kent