Tonight, as I drove to and from Tucson Arena, I had this song on the brain.  The lyrics aren’t particularly relevant to the end of the Roadrunner home season, but the chorus just sticks… One last time…

I have now finished my first full season as the public address announcer for the American Hockey League’s Tucson Roadrunners.  The season–and the experience–had their ups and downs, but I’m glad to say there were far more ups than downs.  Thirty-five times since early October, I drove almost exactly 200-miles round trip to be a part of something special: the inaugural season of an AHL franchise.  I “stepped up” from announcing club college and Junior hockey games to being at the (microphone) helm of a professional sports team.  I know some friends have said it took too long (and a few others have wondered why I didn’t wait a few more years), but I’m happy to have arrived where I am now.

I was happy to tell a few select Roadrunners fans tonight that, yes, I plan to return to the mic at the Tucson Arena next season, and continue being the informative (and occasionally entertaining) voice of the Roadrunners.  The Roadrunners seemed pretty happy with my performance.  The fans seemed to enjoy hearing me on the mic.  Why wouldn’t I return?  (Okay–yeah, if the Chicago Cubs called and offered me a front office job that included handling PA duties at Wrigley Field, I would have to give that some serious consideration.)

With Tucson in the rear-view mirror for the next six months (the 2017-18 AHL season should start up again in mid October), I can now focus on other things: my book (still kind of stalled out in the early stages–waiting for a clear head and free time to really begin), a little collegiate softball and USA Hockey Tier I Nationals announcing over the next few weeks (don’t get too excited–it’s 14u and 15u teams, not the 18u National team), getting ready to move into our new house, and–likely around June sometime–auditioning for my first musical in 28 years.

…and, of course, the Cubs start their 2017 campaign tomorrow night as the defending World Series Champions–a title that has not been uttered about a Chicago Cubs team since William Taft was President–1909.  Heck, the Cubs haven’t even been able to say they were the defending National League Champions since just after World War II (1946).

Micah, this season of your father announcing for the Roadrunners was for you–and for him–and for the great fans of Tucson!  I know you’re smiling proudly.

 

David