When I was asked to do the public-address announcing during the 1986-87 season, I had no desire to do such work. I knew I could do it. But I was intent on building a fairly young sports broadcasting career. The great Dan Kelly and Ron Jacober were my bosses at KXOK radio and suggested to, the also great, Susie Mathieu, one of the first female executives of any major sports franchise, that I should be considered.
Some know this story. But for first-timers, then PA-man Charlie Hodges had to leave the position in the middle of the season to take a job with the Anheuser-Busch division Bud Sports. The Blues needed somebody to do the PA for the rest of the season. I worked at the station that carried the games. My voice was somewhat familiar to Blues fans and, I suppose, thought to be OK for PA work.
I accepted the position pretty much because Susie asked; and because Dan and Ron were my supervisors at the radio station I felt something of an obligation. There was very little pay associated with it. Harry Ornest was the owner. Everything was bare bones. Paper clips were counted. Harry tried to get the team in some sort of shape to sell..which, of course, he eventually did. But when I started doing the PA, I had no intention of doing it for more than the rest of the '86-'87 season. Too much time invested, too little financial reward. But if I was given a job to do, I would do it to the best of my ability.Toward the end of the season, Susie asked to meet with me in her office after one of the games. I thought, Uh-oh here we go. What have I done wrong? Have they found my permanent replacement?
Susie said--paraphrasing--"We really like the way you're doing the PA. Would you come back next season?" Without much hesitation I said...because I had given it some thought..."Susie, thank you for the offer, but I really can't devote that much time to this for the kind of money I'm making at it." (To be honest, I thought that it was holding me back from pursuit of goals I had in broadcasting.)Susie said, "Well, Tom, we intend to make it worth your while."
That was a defining moment. The pay increase was significant, but it wasn't something that I couldn't have turned down. But the way Susie put it to me told me that she, and the entire organization, really wanted me to be their voice in the old Arena. The significance of that, didn't hit me at first. But I immediately knew that I had become part of a major sports franchise's "family". That was a warm and satisfying feeling. Susie was the mother. The rest of us were "her kids". It honestly felt that way.
Looking back on it now, I am so thankful that these events all occurred as they did. If they hadn't, I'm not sure where I would be, or what I would be doing. But I do know that my life as the Blues PA announcer for the past 32 years has given me definition. People know the "guy who does Bluuuuuues goal" and "Make some noise tonight!" at Enterprise Center. It's pretty hard to not enjoy the seat I get for the games too.
Most of those who were part of the Blues family then, have gone on to other things....or have passed away. There are a handful of people who were part of the group, who are still around. (I don't want to forget someone so I'm not naming names here. I hope they know who they are and how much I treasure them). And I'm sure they all are as incredibly excited about being around, and in, the Stanley Cup Final as I am after all these less-than-successful years. I think of the people of this history every day, as I continue with the people of the present. And I personally would like to thank all of the people of my time with the team who have given me the chance to be a part of it.
Soak it up the best you can Blues Nation. Who knows when we'll come this way again? It is most definitely a time to be cherished.
