I'm a bit of a radio nut. I've had the privilege to hear some of the greatest play-by-play voices in the history of radio- Chuck Thompson and Jon Miller for the Orioles, Harry and Whitey for the Phils, and my favorite of all time, Merrill Reese for the Eagles. When your only resource for following the action of a game or a match is the spoken voice, there's nothing like having someone who balances his love for "our" team with the gift to vividly describe that action.
We, as Penn State wrestling fans, have the advantage of one of the greats in his field. What? You already know Ironhead is a legend? I admit that I'm a tad late to the party. I heard him for the first time a couple of years ago, the Ohio State match, when the Legend of Zain hit overdrive. I almost drove off the road trying to help Zain flatten out Logan with double legs!! I felt that match and the intensity of Rec Hall through Ironhead's voice.
Fast forward to last week's call of the Illinois match. I'll get to "How Do You Do!" in a minute. Something that impressed me just as much was Byers' criticism of the stall call on IMar, (or more accurately, the new stall rule.) I have a lot of respect for those who, even though they are in our corner, still call the action straight. He could have waited until a call was made against one of ours, (ok, when does any of our guys back up!) but he chose to editorialize at a crucial moment in the biggest match of the year on a call that benefited Nolf (insert definition of integrity).
Then comes "How Do You Do(?/!/?! I don't know how to punctuate it) Sometimes something so simple can be so profound. That match introduced many of us to the idea that Nolf is not a notch below IMar (I read all of the predictions). We all thought he could do it, very few thought he would (even fewer predicted a fall). Well how do you do, wrestling world? Instant classic phrase, T-shirt worthy (hello white out shirts).
This is a perfect storm creating one of the most entertaining sports seasons I've ever experienced as a fan. The quality, from top to bottom, of this program is so fun to root for. I can't wait to watch (and hear) what happens next!!
We, as Penn State wrestling fans, have the advantage of one of the greats in his field. What? You already know Ironhead is a legend? I admit that I'm a tad late to the party. I heard him for the first time a couple of years ago, the Ohio State match, when the Legend of Zain hit overdrive. I almost drove off the road trying to help Zain flatten out Logan with double legs!! I felt that match and the intensity of Rec Hall through Ironhead's voice.
Fast forward to last week's call of the Illinois match. I'll get to "How Do You Do!" in a minute. Something that impressed me just as much was Byers' criticism of the stall call on IMar, (or more accurately, the new stall rule.) I have a lot of respect for those who, even though they are in our corner, still call the action straight. He could have waited until a call was made against one of ours, (ok, when does any of our guys back up!) but he chose to editorialize at a crucial moment in the biggest match of the year on a call that benefited Nolf (insert definition of integrity).
Then comes "How Do You Do(?/!/?! I don't know how to punctuate it) Sometimes something so simple can be so profound. That match introduced many of us to the idea that Nolf is not a notch below IMar (I read all of the predictions). We all thought he could do it, very few thought he would (even fewer predicted a fall). Well how do you do, wrestling world? Instant classic phrase, T-shirt worthy (hello white out shirts).
This is a perfect storm creating one of the most entertaining sports seasons I've ever experienced as a fan. The quality, from top to bottom, of this program is so fun to root for. I can't wait to watch (and hear) what happens next!!
