Senators Article: He's living his dream job; Announcer caught hockey bug early
March 23, 2004

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: William Moyer of Press Connects.com

He's living his dream job

Announcer caught hockey bug early

BY WILLIAM MOYER

Press & Sun-Bulletin

Green beer, loud fans and Coco Cossette. That unlikely hat trick hooked Newark Valley native Grady Whittenburg on Binghamton hockey.

"Jacques Cossette scored five goals, and people were drinking green beer," Whittenburg recalled about the first game he saw at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. "The team was playing well, and everyone was having a good time."

As he watched the Dusters beat Hershey, 8-3, on St. Patrick's Day 1978, the then-teenager had no idea he'd one day sit in the Arena press box and do WINR radio play-by-play for the Binghamton Senators.

"I'm extremely happy for him," Binghamton Hockey Hall of Fame sportscaster Roger Neel said. "He's been tremendously successful."

Whittenburg, 39, cut his play-by-play teeth while listening to Neel's radio accounts of Dusters' and Binghamton Whalers' games from 1978 to 1986.

So much did Whittenburg want to learn the trade that he bought $400-worth of audio equipment to do mock broadcasts on a tape recorder.

"I even had the pleasure of doing a mock interview with 1980 Olympics Coach Herb Brooks here at the Arena when he coached the old Utica Devils," he said.

Whittenburg recalled being a young guy who wanted to get some experience and see what happened.

After graduating from Newark Valley High School in 1983, the fledgling announcer went live on WEBO radio with Owego and Newark Valley football games. He also got a radio and television degree from Tompkins Cortland Community College.

With his eye on professional hockey, Whittenburg sharpened his play-by-play lingo doing radio broadcasts of Cornell University men's hockey games for 12 seasons.

When the Senators arrived in Binghamton two years ago, Whittenburg was ready with an audition tape. Executive Vice President Tom Mitchell liked what he heard, and put Whittenburg in charge of broadcasting and media relations.

"It's where I grew up," Whittenburg said. "This is the best place in the league to broadcast, the close proximity to the ice and the crazy fans."

No doubt about it, Whittenburg is living his dream, loves his job and often works early morning to late night.

A recent game day starts around 6:15 a.m. with a 75-minute drive from Lansing, where Whittenburg lives with his wife and three children.

After reading the newspaper, he gets ready for that night's game against the Rochester Americans. He updates players' and teams' statistics for the radio broadcast and to hand out to media that will cover the game. Along the way, he checks with American Hockey League officials for last-minute news releases.

By 10 a.m., Whittenburg goes to the press box for an equipment check. On the ice, the B-Sens skate through a pre-game practice. Afterward, he can record an interview with a player or coach for the pregame or intermission radio segments.

By 1 p.m., Whittenburg is huddled again in his cramped cubicle, cramming score sheets and spotting charts with notes about each player.

"People think the broadcast just goes its own way," he said. "But you've got to prepare."

On the way to the media room for dinner, Whittenburg does a final check of the press box arrangements. The narrow top row of seats will be crowded for the Rochester game. A local cable company has set up two cameras for a live broadcast.

While dining on baked ham, potatoes and two yogurts, Whittenburg checks players' names with public address announcer Steve Shimer. Press & Sun-Bulletin reporter SCOTT LAUBER stops by for a few words about team rosters.

Less than an hour before the 7:05 p.m. face-off, Whittenburg has settled into a corner seat -- the same seat where he did mock broadcasts -- in the press box to review notes, check equipment and talk with Neel about the cable television pre-game show the pair will record a half-hour before face-off.

As fans file into the chilly Arena, a few climb the stairs to the press box to say hello.

Becky Severcool and Johnson City resident Tracie Masi call themselves "Grady-o Heads" -- as in radio heads. The women carry pocket radios to listen to Whittenburg's radio broadcast.

"He gives you lots of statistics," said Severcool, a Montrose, Pa., resident. "I want to get the same information at home games that he gives out on the radio at away games."

When the Senators scored the game's first goal, Whittenburg's pre-game homework had prepared him to tell listeners that Greg Watson's score had snapped his 52-game drought.

Then he quickly told listeners that Binghamton has won 20 of 28 games this season when they've netted the first goal.

After the opening period goal, the B-Sens played solid defense and beat the Americans, 1-0.

During the game, a digital recorder -- about the size of a man's wallet -- tapes the action. When a goal is scored, Whittenburg notes the time to replay highlights during the intermissions and the post-game show.

As 3,800 fans count down to a game-ending zero, Whittenburg still has his voice to do a recap of the tightly fought contest.

By the time he signs off -- almost three hours since the broadcast began -- the stands are deserted, and mascot Max has gone home. A few Arena workers toss hot dog wrappers and plastic beer cups into black garbage bags.

With the clock racing past 10 p.m., Whittenburg goes back to the B-Sens offices to update the team's Web page. He turns off the lights, locks the doors and departs for a midnight arrival at home.

It's been a long day, but Whittenburg doesn't complain.

"That's it," he says. "I wouldn't trade it for the world."