Bobb Vergiels set to return as Walleye's public address announcer
Oct. 7—Bobb is back behind the mic.
Former longtime Toledo Walleye public address announcer Bobb Vergiels will return to the microphone in his former role this season.
Vergiels became a Toledo hockey icon after announcing games for the city's former ECHL franchise, the Storm, for 14 seasons. The Michigan native then became the PA announcer for the Walleye for their inaugural season in 2009-10 and announced the team's first four seasons.
Vergiels, 69, announced the first goal scored in the history of the Storm organization at the venerable old Sports Arena. He also announced the first Walleye goal in 2009 at the newly opened Huntington Center.
"I am very grateful to the Walleye for giving me this chance," Vergiels said. "My journey has come full circle. It was 30 years ago this month that [the Storm] hired me to be the public address announcer. I'm back in my natural habitat."
The outgoing and fun-loving Vergiels developed memorable catchphrases and had presided over nearly 800 hockey games before stepping down after the 2012-13 season.
Vergiels also was the PA announcer for the Detroit Tigers for 15 seasons, before retiring in 2018. He also called games for the University of Michigan basketball and baseball teams.
After retiring, Vergiels moved to Florida to help take care of his ailing mother.
Vergiels moved back to southeast Michigan in March 2020. He then quickly returned to his roots.
Most recently, he announced games at Fifth Third Field for the Mud Hens. He also announced games for the University of Toledo baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer teams.
Walleye executive vice president and general manager Neil Neukam said the organization is excited for the return of Vergiels.
"Bobb's a consummate professional who started his public address career in hockey and it now has come full circle," Neukam said. "Bobb's track record speaks for itself and we look forward to hearing his voice at the Huntington Center."
Vergiels will be behind the mic for the Walleye's preseason game against Kalamazoo on Oct. 16. He is scheduled to call about 60 percent of the team's games.
"I am most looking forward to seeing the fans again, especially to be part of something they have missed for two seasons — Walleye hockey," Vergiels said. "I missed the excitement of the games and hearing the Huntington Center just explode with noise when the fans are reacting to something."
Vergiels admitted at that he is a bit apprehensive about his comeback.
"I'm a little nervous about returning because I don't want to let anyone down," he said.
Anthony Bellino, who took over for Vergiels and served as the Walleye's PA announcer for the last seven seasons, stepped down this summer. Bellino, who also has served as the PA announcer for the Mud Hens, is now the host of the X's & BrO's radio show. Bellino also is the PA announcer for the University of Michigan and University of Toledo basketball teams.
The X's and Bro's Morning Show with Anthony Bellino airs from 6 to 9 a.m. on the Michigan Sports Network on 20 radio stations across Michigan and northwest Ohio.
Vergiels was greeted before every hockey game with a hardy "boo!" from the crowd when he introduced himself to the crowd before Storm and Walleye games. The tradition started in the early days of the Storm when a Blade reporter suggested the fans should boo Vergiels because he was the only announcer in all of sports that would introduce himself.
Among his other signature phrases, Vergiels encourages the crowd to shout out the number of goals the Walleye have scored with his "Hey T-Town, let's count 'em up."
"I was a lot younger when I did this before and with age comes change, and the heart attack three years ago slowed me down a bit," Vergiels said. "But I know that once I see the fans and hear them again and experience that feeling that only Toledo hockey can provide, I'll be fine."
First Published October 6, 2021, 2:46pm
