I didn't see this posted anywhere. Mick Holien had a column in the Missoulian today as his farewell.
Best of luck to you Mick!! You will forever be the "Voice of the Griz!"
Guest column
Voice of the Griz passes the torch
MICK HOLIEN 1 hr ago 1
While the weather has continually tried to trick us, it really isn’t October and the start of the 2016 Grizzly football campaign has yet to begin.
It is not for lack of anticipation, since at this time of the summer Griz Nation chomps at the bit to get any morsel of “inside” information that back in the day was called "water cooler fodder."
And for me, for the first time in 23 years, I am not scrambling to get a relatively accurate two-deep so as to compile spotting charts amid preparation for the Griz campaign.
Indeed, it goes even deeper since my Griz odyssey actually began when I was hired to do the football public address at the “Dorn Dome” (Dornblaser Field), then moving into the newly constructed Washington Grizzly Stadium when it opened in October 1986.
And while I am a bit melancholic after working in some capacity at every Griz football game since that first game against Cal Fullerton in 1985 – a 3-8 campaign – I look excitingly at the turn to another era as a spectator.
There are so many people who were responsible for an amazing run with Griz athletics during which I attempted to portray the “good guys” as our team and took the responsibility of representing the University of Montana worldwide.
The Lady Griz of course represented an important part of my time (eight years) and it gives me special pleasure to see Shannon Cate Schweyen named as the replacement for the retiring venerable Robin Selvig. I called every game of her amazing career, and the first round NCAA win at Wisconsin in 1992 and too numerous to enumerate Big Sky-Mountain West title games rank right up there with Griz hoops post-season achievements and, of course, seven national championship football games as memories I will always especially cherish.
Of course, radio would not be possible without the unending support of a legion of sponsors and statewide affiliates. Their support developed into far more than a business relationship and I treasure their friendship. I also can say I never worked with a coach in any sport, an administrator or faculty member who wasn’t a joy to be around.
Suffice it to say that none of this would be possible without all those support folks whose name you probably don’t know and who keep the train on the tracks. There were so many different flagship station owners during the time I can’t even remember them all but suffice it to say KGVO has been a Grizzly mainstay and where I first spun a country disc in 1983.
The list of friendships throughout the athletic department and other parts of campus also is endless and the Missoulian deserves kudos for allowing me to broadcast the games while working for 13 years as a staff reporter.
Of course, the players and their families were amazing to be around and travel with, and seeing their youngsters start to make their way through the variety of programs is a bunch of fun.
I think I have been associated with some kind of team since Cub Scouts, and to be that fortunate throughout a person’s work life is rare and something I never take for granted. You can’t put words on how meaningful that is.
In closing and in passing the torch so to speak, I want to introduce you to my friend, Riley Corcoran, who beat out a strong field to become the Voice of the Grizzlies.
It is with pleasure I hand off that mantra to someone with unending energy, expertise and dedication. I have known Riley for a while, have spent time with him this summer and full well realize Griz radio is in solid hands.
He has been extremely gracious, tolerated my story telling, and brings amazing enthusiasm to the position. I encourage you to get to know him, and there’s no better time to do that than the Coach’s Show, which not only gives you an opportunity to ask your own questions but to interact with the athletes and coaches.
Again, thanks, everyone, for your kind words and support throughout the years, and be sure to turn down that TV. Most of all, in the words of John Wooden: “Be at your best when your best is needed!"
Mick Holien was a radio broadcaster and the "Voice of the Griz" for more than 30 years. He writes from Polson.
Best of luck to you Mick!! You will forever be the "Voice of the Griz!"
Guest column
Voice of the Griz passes the torch
MICK HOLIEN 1 hr ago 1
While the weather has continually tried to trick us, it really isn’t October and the start of the 2016 Grizzly football campaign has yet to begin.
It is not for lack of anticipation, since at this time of the summer Griz Nation chomps at the bit to get any morsel of “inside” information that back in the day was called "water cooler fodder."
And for me, for the first time in 23 years, I am not scrambling to get a relatively accurate two-deep so as to compile spotting charts amid preparation for the Griz campaign.
Indeed, it goes even deeper since my Griz odyssey actually began when I was hired to do the football public address at the “Dorn Dome” (Dornblaser Field), then moving into the newly constructed Washington Grizzly Stadium when it opened in October 1986.
And while I am a bit melancholic after working in some capacity at every Griz football game since that first game against Cal Fullerton in 1985 – a 3-8 campaign – I look excitingly at the turn to another era as a spectator.
There are so many people who were responsible for an amazing run with Griz athletics during which I attempted to portray the “good guys” as our team and took the responsibility of representing the University of Montana worldwide.
The Lady Griz of course represented an important part of my time (eight years) and it gives me special pleasure to see Shannon Cate Schweyen named as the replacement for the retiring venerable Robin Selvig. I called every game of her amazing career, and the first round NCAA win at Wisconsin in 1992 and too numerous to enumerate Big Sky-Mountain West title games rank right up there with Griz hoops post-season achievements and, of course, seven national championship football games as memories I will always especially cherish.
Of course, radio would not be possible without the unending support of a legion of sponsors and statewide affiliates. Their support developed into far more than a business relationship and I treasure their friendship. I also can say I never worked with a coach in any sport, an administrator or faculty member who wasn’t a joy to be around.
Suffice it to say that none of this would be possible without all those support folks whose name you probably don’t know and who keep the train on the tracks. There were so many different flagship station owners during the time I can’t even remember them all but suffice it to say KGVO has been a Grizzly mainstay and where I first spun a country disc in 1983.
The list of friendships throughout the athletic department and other parts of campus also is endless and the Missoulian deserves kudos for allowing me to broadcast the games while working for 13 years as a staff reporter.
Of course, the players and their families were amazing to be around and travel with, and seeing their youngsters start to make their way through the variety of programs is a bunch of fun.
I think I have been associated with some kind of team since Cub Scouts, and to be that fortunate throughout a person’s work life is rare and something I never take for granted. You can’t put words on how meaningful that is.
In closing and in passing the torch so to speak, I want to introduce you to my friend, Riley Corcoran, who beat out a strong field to become the Voice of the Grizzlies.
It is with pleasure I hand off that mantra to someone with unending energy, expertise and dedication. I have known Riley for a while, have spent time with him this summer and full well realize Griz radio is in solid hands.
He has been extremely gracious, tolerated my story telling, and brings amazing enthusiasm to the position. I encourage you to get to know him, and there’s no better time to do that than the Coach’s Show, which not only gives you an opportunity to ask your own questions but to interact with the athletes and coaches.
Again, thanks, everyone, for your kind words and support throughout the years, and be sure to turn down that TV. Most of all, in the words of John Wooden: “Be at your best when your best is needed!"
Mick Holien was a radio broadcaster and the "Voice of the Griz" for more than 30 years. He writes from Polson.
