A Tribute To "The T-Man": Terry Sisisky

In my radio career, I have logged many an hour behind the console in a studio running the board for sports broadcasts. My first-ever airshift on commercial radio was running a University of Massachusetts football game in 1985.

I've "board op'ed" (as we used to call it in radio) for UMass Football, the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Bruins, Virginia Tech football and basketball, William & Mary football and basketball, VMI football, James Madison University football and basketball, and the "original" Richmond Renegades hockey team of the 1990s.

But my best experiences, my best memories of spending an evening in the studio listening for cues to play commercials or the famous "station identification" are from my years running VCU Basketball broadcasts back on "the real" WDYL back in the late 80s and early 90s.

Why? Because of the man at courtside behind the mic: Terry Sisisky.

There is no one quite like T-Man. He is an never-ending explosion of energy, usually a nervous wreck, and one of the greatest conversationalists I've ever had the pleasure of shooting the breeze with.

For example, if you're a true baseball fan (meaning you appreciate the history of the game, not just what's going on now), I dare you to ask Terry this question:

"Should Bert Blyleven be in the Baseball Hall of Fame?"

You've automatically triggered a 30 minute non-stop conversation of information and fascination. I know, I fondly remember spending that time and more debating that very question with him in my office at WDYL, lo those many years ago.

But, back to VCU. He'd call the station to hook up and be scared stiff we wouldn't get on. And we would. And he'd display his nervousness during breaks, in a positive way. And then he'd call the game with a style and personna that no one else has. Why? Because they're not The T-Man.

Terry Sisisky is passion on two legs. He absolutely loves VCU and their basketball program. That's why it came as a huge surprise to me when I read online today of his decision to hang up the headphones at the Siegel Center after nearly three decades at courtside.

What I appreciate the most from Terry is he is that rare combination of what some people refer to when discussing sports announcers as a "homer", defined as someone showing bias for "the home team" when describing the action, reacting to calls, etc., and a good old fashioned realist.

Time after time I'd hear Terry, in his voice, urge the Rams on to victory. Nothing wrong with that. But if they simply just couldn't hit the shot, but played well, he'd tell you that. And, frankly, if they sucked and couldn't hit the broad side of the barn, well, he'd tell you that, too. He never had a problem telling the home fans of the troubles and failures of their home team. And I always appreciated that.

Read THIS ARTICLE where Terry explains his decision, and reveals which of his two broadcasting passions he is continuing to allow to burn.

I'm starting my 7th season soon covering Patrick Henry High School football (my alma mater!) on WHAN Radio in Ashland, and hardly a Friday evening goes by where I have to stop myself from opening the broadcast with:

"Once again a very pleasant good evening everyone and welcome to Patrick Henry High School Football."

Because up unto the "welcome to...." point, I would be blatantly stealing Terry's opening line from VCU broadcasts.

I did, though, borrow his closing.

Which is why I sign off by saying either:

"We bid you a good night from Ashland, Virginia!", if it's a home game, or:
"We bid you a good night from " " High School, if it's an away game.

I hope T-Man doesn't mind a bit of him sticking with me.

The final T-Man story I'll share is from April 25, 1997. After nine years, I was leaving my management post and on-air broadcast position at WDYL. That morning, while cleaning up some last things in my office....who stops by to say hello?

Yep. He sure did. And I've never, ever forgotten that.

Terry, maybe, just maybe, the Good Lord will let Petersburg and Patrick Henry meet in the Division 5 Regional Playoffs this year. We'd get to share a booth and finally call the same game together, albeit it on opposite sides and on different stations.

But there's no doubt who would offer the best play-by-play.

And it definitely would not be me.