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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.)

A Breckenridge ball carrier is pulled down by a Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart tackler during the Huskies’ 20-12 win on 9/30/22.

1st & Goal: 2022 Week 6 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 3, 2022

October is league title time in football, and there were plenty of celebrations all over Michigan during Week 6.

MI Student AidWe highlighted several this week, especially from the "Greater Detroit" area. Most guaranteed a share of a league championship with an opportunity to win outright coming up. Others set themselves up for a title-deciding showdown ahead, and we offered a glance at those possibilities as well. 

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Goodrich 42, Ortonville Brandon 21 The Martians (5-1) are undefeated since losing to still-unbeaten Frankenmuth in Week 1, and with this victory they claimed a share of the Flint Metro League Stars championship as well as kept the M15 jug traveling trophy after winning it back a year ago. Goodrich shared the Stars title last year and can clinch it outright this week against Lake Fenton, last season’s other co-champion. Brandon fell to 4-2 with its other defeat to Lake Fenton. Click for more from the Flint Journal.

Watch list Linden 23, Swartz Creek 7 The Eagles (5-1) put themselves in line to earn at least a share of the Metro League Stripes title after entering the weekend tied with Swartz Creek (5-1) for first. Linden also tied its highest win total since 2017.

On the move Davison 52, Walled Lake Western 14 The Cardinals (5-1) handed Lakes Valley Conference leader Western (5-1) its lone defeat and equaled their 2021 win total in the process. Almont 37, Croswell-Lexington 26 With two league losses, Almont (4-2) will have a tough time winning the Blue Water Area Conference – but the Raiders are potential spoilers having knocked Croswell-Lexington (5-1) out of a tie for first. Bay City Central 22, Mount Pleasant 21 This was one of the stunners of the weekend statewide, as Central (2-4) had scored only 37 points total over their last four defeats to the Oilers (5-1) – who hadn’t lost a regular-season game in nearly two calendar years.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Macomb Dakota 21, Romeo 14 The Cougars clinched a share of the Macomb Area Conference Red title with this win over one of last season’s co-champions, taking a 14-0 lead and holding on. Dakota (6-0) had lost last year’s regular-season meeting with Romeo (4-2) but won 35-20 in a District Final rematch.

Watch list Detroit U-D Jesuit 30, Dearborn Divine Child 22 The Cubs bounced back after three-straight nonleague losses to teams a combined 15-3 to win its two Detroit Catholic League AA matchups and secure the division title. Divine Child moved to 4-2, still tying its most wins since 2017.

On the move Warren De La Salle Collegiate 28, Detroit Catholic Central 0 The Pilots (5-1) bounced back from losing their Catholic League Central opener to win their final two games and clinch a share with DCC (4-2) able to also pick up a share this week against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Detroit Central 45, Detroit Northwestern 6 Central (6-0) clinched a share of the Detroit Public School League Gold by holding a fifth opponent to single-digit scoring this fall. Detroit Martin Luther King 38, Detroit Renaissance 0 The Crusaders (4-1) clinched a share of the PSL Blue title with their third shutout over four league matchups. Madison Heights Bishop Foley 29, Riverview Gabriel Richard 28 Bishop Foley (6-0) earned a one-score win for the second-straight week, this time to clinch a share of the Catholic League Intersectional 1 championship. Marine City Cardinal Mooney 15, Clarkston Everest Collegiate 8 Mooney (5-1) avenged last year’s 45-3 loss to Everest (3-3) to clinch a share of the Intersectional 2 title. Center Line 37, Clawson 6 After falling in two nonleague games to start the fall, Center Line (4-2) has won its first four in the MAC Bronze to clinch a title share by handing Clawson (3-3) its first league defeat. Southgate Anderson 33, Gibraltar Carlson 28 This mini-upset, combined with Trenton’s 21-14 win over Brownstown Woodhaven, has all four of these teams with one loss in the Downriver League.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Portland 40, Charlotte 13 The Raiders (5-1) scored the game’s first 23 points on the way to clinching a share of the Capital Area Activities Conference White title. Portland and Charlotte (5-1) entered the night tied for the top spot, and the Raiders held an offense scoring 39 points per game to its season low. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Grand Ledge 56, DeWitt 49 The Comets (5-1) control their destiny in the CAAC Blue with a chance to play East Lansing in Week 9 for a share of the title, while DeWitt (3-3) fell to fifth place but with all three defeats this season by seven points or fewer.

On the move Durand 28, Gladstone 24 The Railroaders (6-0) equaled last season’s win total, which remains their highest since 2009, and handed Gladstone (5-1) its only loss as the teams met up in Gaylord. Holt 30, Lansing Waverly 6 The Rams (3-3) have played five opponents sitting .500 or better, with Waverly (4-2) also a playoff hopeful but with a tough slate ahead. Ionia 19, Lansing Catholic 18 (OT) The Bulldogs (2-4)  had lost their CAAC White games to Lansing Catholic (2-4) over the last eight seasons by an average of 25 points per contest, but this time they halted the Cougars’ two-game winning streak as Lansing Catholic also was rebounding from a tough start.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Boyne City 42, Charlevoix 14 The Ramblers (6-0) set themselves up with a chance to clinch a Northern Michigan Football Conference Leaders title this week against Elk Rapids by handing Charlevoix (5-1) its only defeat. Gavin Hewitt was among standouts as Boyne City scored the first points Charlevoix had given up since Week 1. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Frankfort 20, East Jordan 14 Defense has been the strength for Frankfort (5-1) this fall, and East Jordan (3-3) had averaged 31 points per game entering the night. Frankfort now will be rooting for the Red Devils, as they need an East Jordan win over first-place St. Ignace this week to have a shot at an NMFC Legacy title share.

On the move Cadillac 28, Petoskey 19 The Vikings (4-2) finished their outright title run in the Big North Conference and now finish their regular season against nonleague teams that are a combined 16-2. Roscommon 43, Manton 0 The Bucks (3-3) have guaranteed their best season since 2018 with three straight wins during which they’ve outscored their opponents by a combined 145-6. Traverse City Central 62, Midland Dow 26 The Trojans (2-4) earned their first win since Week 1, but could make a run at returning to the playoffs by winning out as the four teams they’ve lost to are a combined 21-3.

A Beal City defender wraps up a Pine River ball carrier during the Aggies’ 49-6 victory.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Whitmore Lake 24, Sterling Heights Parkway Christian 15 The Trojans (5-1) clinched their second championship over four seasons in the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference and continued a five-game winning streak. Whitmore Lake is giving up just 15 points per game and allowed a high of just 20 in the Week 1 loss.

Watch list Dexter 21, Ann Arbor Huron 14 While technically two other teams still have a chance, the Southeastern Conference Red title looks like it’s coming down to Dexter (6-0) and Saline. The Dreadnaughts escaped with this close win over the River Rats (3-3) to avenge last year’s seven-point loss.

On the move Napoleon 14, Grass Lake 6 The Pirates (6-0) pulled to within one more win of clinching a share of the Cascades Conference title, but must avenge one of their two 2021 league losses over the next two weeks to do so. Tecumseh 69, Jackson 46 Winner will take all in the SEC White this week as Tecumseh (6-0) avenged last year’s loss to Jackson (3-3) to earn the chance to play Chelsea for the outright league title. Michigan Center 40, Manchester 14 The Cardinals (2-4) have worked through three close losses this fall and with this win over the Flying Dutchmen (4-2) kept their playoff hopes alive.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Battle Creek Central 29, Portage Central 15 The Bearcats couldn’t be in a better position as they pursue the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference championship. Their only loss came nonleague in overtime in Week 1, and Battle Creek Central’s next two SMAC opponents are both winless in league play – with league co-leader St. Joseph the opponent in the regular-season finale. See below for more from FOX 17.

Watch list Union City 32, Addison 22 This was a nonleague win for Union City (5-1) but came against the second-place team from the Cascades Conference. Union City could end up seeing the Cascades champion in a Week 9 crossover if the Chargers can finish off a Big 8 Conference title run. Their final two league games are against teams with one combined league win.

On the move Edwardsburg 58, Paw Paw 36 The Eddies (5-1) found their traditional scoring touch with a season-high points total, although Paw Paw (3-3) also put up the most points Edwardsburg has allowed. St. Joseph 62, Portage Northern 49 The Bears (5-1) kept up their end of that SMAC tie for first as they await third-place Stevensville Lakeshore this week. Benton Harbor 14, Niles Brandywine 0 The Tigers (3-3) kept their Lakeland Conference title hopes alive and also put a dent in the same for Brandywine (4-2); league leader Buchanan sees both to finish the league schedule over the next two weeks.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Bark River-Harris 36, Manistique 21 The Broncos (4-2) bounced back from back-to-back defeats with this win to set up a winner-take-call Week 9 matchup with Ishpeming in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Iron championship. Both are 2-0 in league play. The Broncos should also continue to get a nice bump in playoff points from those losses to West PAC Copper contenders Iron Mountain and Houghton.

Watch list Ishpeming Westwood 34, Hancock 6 After opening with three straight losses – including two two-pointers – Westwood is even at 3-3 and only four spots outside the Division 6 playoff field.

On the move Iron Mountain 35, Calumet 7 The Mountaineers (5-1) avenged last season’s loss to Calumet (3-3) with more lockdown defense. Make that only 40 points given up this season, and only 21 over the last five games. St. Ignace 20, Maple City Glen Lake 7 The Saints’ story keeps getting better as they sit alone atop the NMFC Legacy thanks to another impressive defensive stand. St. Ignace (5-1) has given up 59 points this season, and 40 came in its lone loss to Gladstone. Kingsford 51, Detroit Old Redford 6 The Flivvers (4-2) are No. 13 in Division 5 playoff points after a big win over an Old Redford team that is slated to make the Division 6 field currently at 4-2.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Grand Rapids South Christian 36, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 34 The Sailors earned their first win over GRCC (5-1) since 2014, in doing so ending the Cougars’ winning streak at 41 games – the fifth-longest in MHSAA football history. South Christian quarterback Jake DeHaan was among stars, with his late 82-yard TD run helping to seal the win. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Whitehall 42, Muskegon Oakridge 8 The Vikings (6-0) made a mighty statement in the West Michigan Conference Lakes, moving into first place alone with this win over a former co-leader and formerly undefeated Oakridge (5-1).

On the move Muskegon Mona Shores 34, Zeeland West 6 These Sailors (5-1) moved into first alone in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green by sending Zeeland West (5-1) into a three-way tie for second. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 14, Lowell 7 The Rangers (6-0) held onto the top spot alone in the O-K White, a game ahead of Byron Center and now two ahead of the Red Arrows (4-2). Muskegon Catholic Central 16, Schoolcraft 12 The Crusaders (4-2) are on a three-game winning streak with this victory over Schoolcraft (4-2). All but one MCC game this season has been decided by eight points or fewer.

8-Player

HEADLINER Colon 25, Climax-Scotts 20 The Magi had defeated Climax-Scotts by an average of nearly 41 points per game during their first four 8-player meetings – but had to hold off the Panthers (5-1) this time. In doing so, Colon (6-0) earned a share of the Southern Central Athletic Association – A championship. Click for more from the Battle Creek Enquirer.

Watch list Alcona 50, Indian River Inland Lakes 40 The Tigers have found their footing in 8-player football, and then some. After going 5-4 in their inaugural season last fall, Alcona (6-0) has surpassed that win total and is averaging 60 points per game – already outscoring last year’s team as well. This win was the Tigers’ most impressive, as Inland Lakes (4-2) is the favorite in the Ski Valley Conference.

On the move Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 35, Martin 19 The Mustangs (6-0) handed Martin (5-1) its first regular-season loss on the field since 2018, when the Clippers were still playing the 11-player format. Merrill 52, Morrice 12 The Vandals (6-0) are the team to chase in the Central Michigan 8-Man Football Conference after handing Morrice (5-1) its lone loss, and scoring their second-most points this fall in the process. Munising 54, Pickford 0 Make the reigning champ Mustangs (6-0) the favorites again in the Great Lakes Eight Conference East after they avenged last season’s 40-36 loss to the Panthers (4-2).

Second Half’s weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTOS (Top) A Breckenridge ball carrier is pulled down by a Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart tackler during the Huskies’ 20-12 win this past weekend. (Middle) A Beal City defender wraps up a Pine River ball carrier during the Aggies’ 49-6 victory. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)