TC Fans Enjoy 50 Years of Familiar Voices
October 21, 2015
By Dennis Chase
Special for Second Half
TRAVERSE CITY – For 50 years, John Sonnemann and Don Wiitala have put their hearts, souls and voices into Traverse City athletics.
The two, who are still going strong, were recognized this fall for their contributions – Sonnemann as the public address announcer for Traverse City Central, Wiitala as the radio broadcaster for Traverse City St. Francis.
"It keeps us young and involved," Sonnemann said. "I think Don feels the same. We feel like we're part of the program - and that's important to us."
Credit two former football coaches/athletic directors for bringing two unmistakable voices to the microphone. Elk Rapids' Don Glowicki and Traverse City Senior High's Irv Menzel started Wiitala and Sonnemann on their journeys back in 1966.
That was the year Glowicki approached radio station WLDR, which had just gone on the air in July, about broadcasting high school sports.
"We weren't thinking about doing sports," Wiitala said. "We were just trying to keep our heads above water."
After some discussion, though, WLDR took the plunge.
"We said we'll give it a try," Wiitala recalled. "I wasn't even a broadcaster. I was the sales manager."
WLDR started covering Elk Rapids and St. Francis football that fall, and Gladiators basketball that winter. Soon after, the station began broadcasting all St. Francis football games. WTCM was covering Traverse City Senior High football and basketball, so now both schools had an outlet on radio.
It remained that way until about eight years ago when WLDR dropped its game coverage. But WLJN stepped in, picked up football, and Wiitala continued on as the Voice of the Gladiators.
"Who would have thought that 50 years later I'm still in the broadcast booth," Wiitala said. "I never realized how close I would grow to the St. Francis community. It's been a wonderful (association)."
Wiitala, 79, was inducted into the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools Hall of Fame this month.
"Don's a class act," St. Francis athletic director Tom Hardy said. "He does things the right way. He's part of our family. When you talk about St. Francis football, one of the first names to come up is Don Wiitila. He's brought St. Francis games into so many homes. We are so fortunate, so lucky for his dedication."
Back in 1966, Sonnemann had just graduated from Michigan State University when he landed a job as a social studies teacher at Traverse City Senior High. He had done his student teaching at the school the previous year and worked the chain gang during the football season – so his indoctrination into Trojans football had already started.
Soon after he was hired, Menzel called him into his office.
"He grabbed me by the knee and said, 'I want you to announce on Friday.'" Sonnemann said. "That was it."
To this day, the 72-year-old is synonymous with Traverse City Central sports.
"It's been a pleasure," the Voice of the Trojans said. "I've enjoyed all 50 years, although it doesn't seem like it's been that many,"
Sonnemann was honored for his work during the Central-West game in September.
"Remarkable," Central athletic director Mark Mattson said in describing Sonnemann's career. "The best part is that John is one of the most gentle, kind human beings that you'll ever meet. To have that legendary voice be part of your program for 50 years is special."
Sonnemann, who retired as the school's athletic director nine years ago, still announces a number of school and community events. On any given day in the fall, he can be seen and heard at Central football, soccer and volleyball games.
He said he has a hard time remembering when he retired because he's still so active doing what he loves.
"Some people would say I flunked retirement," Sonnemann said, laughing.
He, of course, does not see it that way. Neither does Wiitala. Their jobs, they say, energize them.
So when people ask how much longer they'll keep announcing, their answers are similar.
"As long as I feel good – and I do feel good – I want to keep doing it," Wiitala said. "Vin Scully (Los Angeles Dodgers announcer), what is he, 87?"
On fall weekends, Thirlby Field is their home away from home.
"We've seen a lot of great athletes, a lot of great teams, a lot of great games," said Sonnemann, who in 2001 received an Allen W. Bush Award from the MHSAA for his many unsung contributions to high school athletics.
Sonnemann recalled a game in 1970 when the Trojans lost 2-0 to Bay City Central, coached by the legendary Elmer Engel.
"They were the cream of the crop in the state," he said, "and that's where Traverse City wanted to be."
It didn't take long. Traverse City reached the inaugural MHSAA Finals in 1975, and then claimed championships in 1978, 1985 and 1988.
St. Francis was going strong in those days, too, claiming mythical state championships in 1973 and 1974. The Gladiators were able to maintain their success when the MHSAA playoffs began, capturing crowns in 1992, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2009. They were MHSAA runner-ups in 1983, 1998 and 2007.
Wiitala recounted the 28-26 loss to Detroit dePorres in 1983 – the school's first trip to the Pontiac Silverdome – when the Eagles scored late to pull out the victory.
"To this day I still remember this kid from Detroit dePorres, with about a minute and a half left, laying out horizontal to catch a pass in the end zone for a TD," he said. "That play has run through my mind hundreds of times over the years. I don't know why. Had he not caught the pass, St. Francis would probably have won the game."
Sonnemann witnessed two of the most dramatic last-second wins in Trojans history – 21-20 over Muskegon Catholic in 1975 and 22-21 over Muskegon in 1985. The Muskegon game was on the road so Sonnemann was there in another role – as the advisor, he had taken the school's pep club to the game. The Big Reds had surged to a 21-14 lead on an interception return for a score in the final minute. It seemed like that would be the play that would decide this battle between the two 5-0 heavyweights.
But on the last play of regulation Central quarterback Chris Hathaway connected on a pass to Jeff Durocher, who then pitched the ball to Doug Lautner, catching the Muskegon defense by surprise. Lautner raced the final 33 yards to the end zone to pull the Trojans to within a point. Coach Jim Ooley opted to go for the win, and Hathaway hit Durocher on the winning two-point conversion.
Trojans fans who were there reveled in the win, except the bus driver.
"The bus driver had gone out to warm up the bus and missed the end of the game," Sonnemann said. "When we got on the kids were hootin' and hollerin' and just having a good time. They were so excited. The bus driver looked at me and said, 'If they're this excited after a loss I would hate to see what they would do after a win.' I had to tell him, 'We won it.' It (the suddenness of the win) felt a lot like that MSU game the other day."
Wiitala has been a fixture at the MHSAA Finals – football and basketball – covering St. Francis, as well as other area schools.
"When St. Francis got beat (in the tournament) we would pick up the next team that was going well," he said. "People in those communities appreciated that."
Wiitala said when he first started broadcasting games there were a number of radio stations doing likewise. That's not the case now.
"Stop and think about it," he said. "When St. Francis was in the North Central Conference (in the 1980s) five schools had radio stations broadcasting games. Now we hardly ever see another station at a game."
Wiitala became the majority owner of WLDR in 1972. He would remain the owner for nearly 30 years. When he sold, the station continued to broadcast St. Francis football games with Wiitala on play-by-play. He’s continued in that role now that WLJN has taken over the broadcasts.
The Mesick graduate has never strayed from the hometown feel of his broadcasts. He still conducts pre-game interviews with the coaches, profiles other school activities at half, and has several players come up to the booth for postgame interviews.
"I know people who get in their cars after the game and then turn the radio on to hear the kids (comment on the game)," he said.
WLJN also offers an internet broadcast, which allows St. Francis fans across the world an opportunity to listen. Wiitala often asks fans to send him e-mails during a game and he's always stunned when he learns the locale of his listeners.
"We've received emails from alumni in Iraq, Iran, Hawaii," he said. "It's unbelievable."
Wiitala has had numerous analysts on the broadcasts over the years. For the last five years, Sonnemann has served in that capacity when there's not a conflict with a Central home game. When there is?
"Don always says, 'John's on assignment," Sonnemann said with a chuckle.
Well, often times, Sonnemann is on assignment. Once fall sports end and winter sports begin, he'll switch to boys and girls basketball, wrestling, hockey and every so often downhill skiing. In the spring, it's on to track and field, girls soccer and graduation, which takes advance work to make sure it's done right.
"One of the things I pride myself on is pronouncing names correctly," he said. "Mine has been mispronounced enough times that I think it's important to get those names right the one time they get to shine up there on stage."
Sonnemann, who always has the best seat in the house, also takes pride in how he presents himself. He wants to make sure that he's always fair and objective.
"I try not to be partial to one team or another, although certainly I bleed black and gold," he said. "I try to call the games in as fair a manner as possible. Some announcers will try to emulate what you hear in the pros, especially the NBA, and I feel that has no place in high school sports. You should treat the visiting team as equally as you treat the home team."
Wiitala has a belief he stands by, too.
"I've never been controversial," he said. "I'm broadcasting sports about kids 15, 16, 17 years old. I'm not going to say, 'Oh, No. 88 is terrible out there.' I don't do it that way. That's not me. I like to treat people the way I would like to be treated."
Like Wiitala, Sonnemann plans to continue keeping fans abreast of who's doing what on the field, the court, the pitch, the ice, the mat, the track and the slopes.
"As long as I still enjoy it, as long as I'm still healthy, I'd like to keep doing this," he said. "I'm not setting any timetable."
For Sonnemann and Wiitala, it's 50 going on 51.
Dennis Chase worked 32 years as a sportswriter at the Traverse City Record-Eagle, including as sports editor from 2000-14. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Alcona, Oscoda, Crawford, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Emmet counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) John Sonnemann, left, and Don Wiitala provide the radio broadcast for a Traverse City St. Francis football game. (Middle) Wiitala interviews St. Francis' Luke Popp at Ford Field after the Gladiators' Division 7 championship win in 2009. (Below) Sonnemann announces a variety of Central sports played both indoors and out. (Photos courtesy of Traverse City St. Francis athletic department and Traverse City Central High School.)
1st & Goal: 2023 Week 1 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 24, 2023
This Michigan high school football season is heating up in a hurry.
Of course, this is always one of the most highly-anticipated opening weekends on the school sports schedule – and we kick off this fall’s 14-week run with 493 teams playing 11-player football and 106 playing 8-player.
More literally concerning the heat wave affecting much of the state, the list of games changing days or kickoff times as a precaution is growing; check out the MHSAA Scores page for updates as we receive them.
More than 250 varsity games are scheduled to be broadcast this weekend on MHSAA.tv, including all 16 being played at Wayne State as part of the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic, University of Michigan as part of the Battle at the Big House and Kettering University as part of the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic. Click the names of the events for specific broadcast landing pages for those showcases.
Here’s a look at some of the matchups with the most intrigue from all over the state, including headliners from the three events referred to above. What you see below may not represent all of the schedule changes we are receiving, but again follow the MHSAA Scores page for updated dates and times – and all weekend for scores as they’re submitted.
Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic – Wayne State University – Tom Adams Field
Belleville (14-0) vs. River Rouge (5-4), Friday
Expectations couldn’t be higher for Belleville, which has won the last two Division 1 championships and 25 straight games and returns quarterback Bryce Underwood and running back/linebacker Jeremiah Beasley among standouts, and that makes this 7 p.m. kickoff arguably the most highly-anticipated in the state. But River Rouge was much better than its record last season, losing to two eventual Finals champions over its final three games as it finished its first season under a new coach – a scenario Belleville finds itself in this fall.
More Xenith games: THURSDAY Walled Lake Western (9-2) vs. Waterford Mott (8-3), Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (7-3) vs. West Bloomfield (8-2). FRIDAY Allen Park (7-4) vs. Taylor (4-5). SATURDAY Detroit Cass Tech (9-4) vs. Southfield Arts & Technology (8-3), Detroit Martin Luther King (10-3) vs. Cincinnati St. Xavier (5-7).
Battle at the Big House – University of Michigan – Michigan Stadium
Goodrich (12-2) vs. Frankenmuth (13-1), Friday
Both finished their 2022 seasons at Ford Field, Frankenmuth the runner-up in Division 5 after a last-second Gladwin game-winning field goal and Goodrich runner-up in Division 4 after Grand Rapids South Christian dealt the Martians their only loss since opening night. That opening night had seen Frankenmuth defeat Goodrich 27-2, and several contributors from that game will find themselves in bigger roles as this season begins on a big stage.
More Big House games: THURSDAY Lake Orion (4-6) vs. Livonia Stevenson (4-5), South Lyon East (7-3) vs. White Lake Lakeland (4-5), Lapeer (7-3) vs. Ann Arbor Huron (5-5). FRIDAY Caledonia (12-2) vs. Romeo (8-3), Clarkston (10-3) vs. Northville (8-3).
Vehicle City Gridiron Classic – Kettering University – Atwood Stadium
Davison (9-2) vs. Warren De La Salle Collegiate (13-1), Friday
Like Belleville, De La Salle is on a two-season championship streak after claiming the last two Division 2 titles by large margins, and the Pilots’ only loss over the last two years was by a point last September to league opponent Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice. There will be new faces in key places in these lineups as well, especially after De La Salle graduated its quarterback of the last three seasons and Davison has a new starter at that position as well.
More Vehicle City games: THURSDAY Mt. Morris (2-7) vs. Clio (2-7). FRIDAY Flint Hamady (10-2) vs. Harper Woods Chandler Park (4-5), Flint Carman-Ainsworth (2-7) vs. Flint Kearsley (3-6).
Bay & Thumb
Mount Pleasant (9-2) at Saginaw Heritage (7-3)
After spending most of the last two decades as part of a one-division Saginaw Valley League or in the same division when the league was split, these two are heading into a second-straight season in different divisions with Mount Pleasant a reigning co-champion in the North (now Blue) and Heritage coming off finishing third in the Red. They didn’t face each other last season, but the Oilers had won this matchup nine straight times before that – although expectations are rising in Saginaw Township as the Hawks won their most games last season since 2006.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-4) at Ubly (13-1), Saginaw Swan Valley (7-4) at Croswell-Lexington (7-3), Millington (10-2) at Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (10-2). FRIDAY Harbor Beach (8-2) at Marine City Cardinal Mooney (8-3).
Greater Detroit
Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (5-6) at Roseville (8-3)
Roseville has posted its winningest two seasons over the last two years and rolled through the second half of 2022 before running into eventual Division 2 champion De La Salle in a District Final. A win over Rice in this season opener would be considered another serious step, as the Warriors were much better than their record last year may have seemed to indicate. Rice, as noted above, is the only team to defeat De La Salle over the last two seasons.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Parma Western (6-4) at Dearborn Divine Child (9-3). FRIDAY Rochester Adams (10-2) at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (5-6).
Mid-Michigan
Haslett (6-4) at DeWitt (9-4)
The rivalry got some juice again last season at Michigan Stadium, as the Panthers hung on for a 21-14 victory. Two sets of siblings will be the main focus as this one kicks off. Haslett will pursue its first win in the series since 2005 paced by dynamic playmaker Nakai Amachree, who returned a kick and a punt for touchdowns in last year’s meeting, and younger brother Kory will be tough to stop as well. Junior twins Elliott and Abram Larner, meanwhile, shined as sophomores on a DeWitt team that reached the Division 3 Semifinals in November.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Saline (8-3) at Brighton (8-2), Holt (7-4) at Mason (12-1), Portland (10-2) at Ovid-Elsie (8-3).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Midland (10-2) at Cadillac (5-5)
These two were league champions last season, Midland sharing in the SVL North and Cadillac winning the Big North Conference while also playing one of the most crushing nonleague schedules in the state – five of the Vikings’ opponents finished the regular season 8-1. Midland won last year’s matchup, 27-21 at home, but this time must make the trip west.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Traverse City St. Francis (13-1) at Charlevoix (8-2), Standish-Sterling (8-2) at Boyne City (9-1), Traverse City West (2-7) at Gaylord (6-4).
Southeast & Border
Livonia Franklin (10-2) at Dexter (12-1), Friday
Dexter graduated serious star power from the group that produced the program’s longest playoff run and just missed making the Division 2 Final. But long forgotten are the days when the Dreadnaughts were among the last teams seeking to make the playoffs for the first time – and after five straight postseason appearances, this fall will provide another chance to show how far the program has come. Franklin has made the playoffs eight straight seasons and also is coming off one of its best as it reached double-digit wins last fall for the fourth time – making this one of the most intriguing season openers statewide outside of the three weekend showcases.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Warren Michigan Collegiate (10-2) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (6-6), Whitmore Lake (6-3) at Manchester (6-5). FRIDAY Tecumseh (10-1) at Jackson Northwest (5-4).
Southwest Corridor
Grand Rapids West Catholic (13-1) at Edwardsburg (11-2), Friday
This is another one many have had circled, especially after West Catholic last season won the matchup 28-20 – handing Edwardsburg its first regular-season defeat since 2017. The Falcons went on to win the Division 6 championship, while the Eddies reached the Division 4 Semifinals and were a touchdown from returning to Ford Field as well. West Catholic graduated much of its offensive firepower but returns important leaders on defense, and they’ll be tested right away by an Edwardsburg offense that has topped 4,000 yards rushing eight of the last nine seasons (with COVID-shortened 2020 the only exception during that time.)
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Lawton (9-3) at Benton Harbor (4-5), East Lansing (8-4) at Portage Central (4-5). FRIDAY Portage Northern (7-4) at Vicksburg (5-5).
Upper Peninsula
Houghton (6-4) at Iron Mountain (11-2)
These two are playing a nonleague game this time after finishing fourth and second, respectively, in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper in 2022. Iron Mountain reached the Division 8 Semifinals last fall and has moved into the Iron division of the league this season as the West-PAC has added three teams to the Copper from the Great Northern Conference. Houghton remains in the Copper and will be looking to avenge last season’s 28-6 loss to the Mountaineers, which was followed by the Gremlins’ best finish since 2013.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Ishpeming (4-6) at Negaunee (13-1). FRIDAY Bark River-Harris (8-3) at Ishpeming Westwood (4-5), Marquette (3-6) at Gladstone (9-3).
West Michigan
Rockford (10-1) at Muskegon (11-3), Friday
A few others listed above are in contention, but this has to be the most highly-anticipated opening-weekend matchup outside of the showcase events. League opponents most recently in 2011, these west-side powers haven’t faced each other since 2013. Muskegon returned to Ford Field last season, finishing Division 3 runner-up, and returns the majority of its offensive playmakers from that lineup including quarterback M’Khi Guy and running back Jakob Price. Rockford’s only loss last fall was by a point in a District Final to eventual Division 1 runner-up Caledonia, and the Rams also return a major player on both sides of the ball in senior Ryan Ahern.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Hudsonville Unity Christian (6-5) at Whitehall (11-1), New Lothrop (10-3) at Muskegon Catholic Central (8-3), Cedar Springs (5-5) at East Grand Rapids (4-6). FRIDAY Kingsley (7-3) at Reed City (11-2).
8-Player
Martin (11-2) at Colon (10-1), Friday
These have become two of the strongest programs in 8-player football, but they head into this fall with some unfamiliarity. Martin is 40-6 in 8-player football and the reigning Division 1 champion, but graduated much of its nucleus from that title-winning team. Colon is 51-7 in 8-player but enters with a new coach for the first time since making the format switch in 2018. The Magi’s only loss last season came by two points in a Regional Final to eventual Division 2 runner-up Mendon.
Keep an eye on these THURSDAY Brown City (10-2) at Peck (7-3), Gaylord St. Mary (8-3) at Pickford (6-3). FRIDAY Morrice (9-3) at Breckenridge (8-3), Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (8-0) at Climax-Scotts (8-2), Rudyard (6-3) at Munising (11-1).
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PHOTO Mount Pleasant takes the field during the 2022 season. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)