Episode 52: Bobb Vergiels

On this episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Bobb Vergiels!

A longtime public address announcer, Bobb Vergiels is approaching his 4,000th game in 2022 as a public address announcer. Now 69-years-old, Bobb's voice, catchphrases and sense of humor behind the mic became synonymous with the Toledo Storm, a former ECHL hockey franchise in Toledo, Ohio from 1991 - 2007.

Over the years, Bobb's other gigs as public address announcer beyond his time with the Storm have included the Toledo Mud Hens, Toledo Walleye, University of Michigan, Wayne State University, University of Toledo, and Detroit Lions, among others. Bobb also spent 15 seasons as the public address announcer for his favorite team, the Detroit Tigers.

In this episode, Bobb speaks with Mike about his love for sports as a kid, getting his start in broadcasting back in 1970, stories from his days with the Storm, his sense of humor behind the mic, his time with the Tigers, getting a second chance to broadcast again after undergoing triple bypass surgery, and more.

Bobb also hosts a music radio show under the name Wally Kizer for Rewind 94.3 in Monroe, Michigan. To tune in online, visit https://mpactstudio.org/ on Sundays and Tuesdays at 7 pm Eastern Time! To read the story from the Toledo Blade's Mark Monroe about Bobb's return to the Walleye, click here: https://sports.yahoo.com/bobb-vergiels-set-return-walleyes-040100655.html. 

If you enjoy discovering new music, check out March Forth Music, Vol. 1, a Spotify playlist put together by Mike to showcase the musical artists who have appeared on the podcast thus far. Check it out here!: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RMUnKk0DZLgYnNjVpPLrK.

Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod, and on Twitter @mikevbauman. To stay up-to-date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.

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