Bill Schonely
Encyclopedia
Bill Schonely nicknamed "The Schonz", is an American sports broadcaster
who was the first play-by-play announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers
. A native of Pennsylvania
, he worked in radio in Louisiana
and Seattle before settling in Portland, Oregon
. In addition to his work for the Blazers, he has also been a sportscaster for Major League Baseball
games, several minor league baseball
teams, college sports, National Hockey League
games, and junior ice hockey
.
, the first child of Walter and Juanita Schonely. A stutterer as a child, Schonely worked on a weekly high school information radio show on WNAR
in Norristown, which led to opportunities at radio and television stations in Philadelphia. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
, and was sent to Guam
. While stationed overseas, Schonely transferred to Armed Forces Radio
, where he was a disc jockey as well as doing news, sports and interviews. He also did his first play-by-play, calling military football and baseball games. In 1951, Schonely was reassigned to Quantico, Virginia
, where he worked on the weekly base newspaper and emceed military events and parades under the guidance of General Clifton B. Cates
. Among his duties were escorting military celebrities to New York City, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia for radio and TV interviews.
radio and TV in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
, where he served in a variety of on-air roles. He covered sports for the radio station, covering the minor league baseball team Baton Rouge Red Sticks and the LSU Tigers
football and basketball teams as well as some rodeo
events. WAFB promoted a weekly wrestling match, and Schonely became the ring announcer. Schonely filled in as a referee, which eventually led to participating in matches on a tag team.
radio and then moved over to KOMO-TV
, where he worked with future ABC Sports
broadcaster Keith Jackson
. Once again, Schonely found work in professional wrestling, although he did not pursue it as a career. Schonely also called roller derby
games for KTNT-TV
.
In 1957, Schonely suggested to Keith Allen
, then player-coach for the Seattle Totems
of the Western Hockey League
, that their games be televised and that he should call them. A skeptical Allen agreed, if Schonely could find sponsors. Schonely enlisted friends including a funeral home dierctor, optometrist and restaurateur to sponsor, and KOMO-TV broadcast Totems games on Sunday nights. Schonely called Totems games for 11 years on television and radio, and the team became popular in Seattle for a time.
In one incident during a game against the San Francisco Seals at the Cow Palace
, an obnoxious fan would hit a siren every time the Seals made a good play, and eventually held the siren up to Schonely's ear. Going to a commercial, Schonely announced: "By the time I get back on the air, this guy is going to have a knuckle sandwich." Schonely put his headset down, turned around and slugged him. Security took the man away, and Schonely returned to the air, saying: "He got his knuckle sandwich, folks."
Schonely moved to KAYO radio in 1959, and the Totems came with him. However, the station switched to a country and western
format, and Schonely left the station. Schonely worked as public relations director for Longacres Race Track before returning to broadcasting as sports director for KVI. Schonely brought the Totems to the station, called games for the Washington Huskies
and baseball games for the Pacific Coast League
Seattle Angels
. At that time, the PCL stretched from Hawaii to Little Rock, and the station could not cover all games. Instead, Schonely would receive updates from a reporter at the game via teletype, play sound effects to simulate crowd noise, and call the game as if he was actually present. In 1967, Schonely did West Coast National Hockey League
coverage for CBS
. Schonely also called major league
Seattle Pilots
games for the one year they played before moving to Milwaukee.
In 1967, Schonely nearly became the radio voice for the Seattle SuperSonics
, newly created by NBA expansion. Dick Vertlieb
, the team's first general manager, offered the job to Schonely, who was not then an avid NBA fan. Schonely accepted, but was pushed aside at the behest of Union Oil of California
, a key sponsor who wanted Bob Blackburn, who was the Sonics' radio voice until the early 1990s.
, whom Schonely knew as a founder of the Portland Buckaroos
. Schonely was the organization's sixth hire. Said Glickman in a 2008 interview: "The interview only lasted a few minutes; he opened his mouth and I knew I had the right guy."
Schonely moved to Portland to start with the team on July 1, 1970. Schonely's first task was to assemble a radio network, starting with Portland's KOIN
as the flagship, and Blazer games were carried on six stations the first year. Schonely was not as familiar with basketball as with other sports, and had to work hard to learn the game, attending every practice early on.
Schonely called the play-by-play on 2,522 Blazers radio and television broadcasts, from Portland
’s very first preseason outing (September 24, 1970) to the team's appearance in the 1998 NBA Playoffs (April 30, 1998).
Schonely's announcing streak was interrupted only once, when he missed the first 25 games of the 1982-83 season for heart bypass surgery following a heart attack.
In 2003, Schonely returned to the team to appear in radio and television segments and act as a team ambassador at charity and community events.
called the move "smart business" and intended to honor the team's past.
The move followed general manager Bob Whitsitt
's resignation in May. Asked whether he would have responded had the call come from Whitsitt, Schonely said at the time, "Probably not."
On October 14, 2009, at age 80, Schonely returned to the microphone for the second half of a "throwback" exhibition game held at Portland's Memorial Coliseum, where the Blazers played from 1970 until 1995. The occasion was billed as a one-quarter tribute, but radio announcer Brian Wheeler
let Schonely call the remainder of the game.
Schonely's Trail Blazers business card reads, "Ambassador".
Triple-A franchise, relocated from Albuquerque, New Mexico
. Like the original Blazers job, the Beavers offer came from Harry Glickman, this time on behalf of then-Beavers owner Portland Family Entertainment, run by Glickman's son. Schonely, who allowed that he was open to a future role with the Blazers, called games for the Beavers through the 2002 PCL season.
While announcing Beavers games, Schonely made use of his famous phrases. Adapted for baseball use, "Lickety brindle up the middle" meant a base hit going past the pitcher's mound into center field, "Bingo, bango, bongo" was used on 5-4-3 double plays. More occasionally, Schonely deployed "Rip City" for an outstanding and important play.
charity golf tournament.
NBA trainer Ron Culp said of Schonely in 1990, "Bill Schonely is the symbol of the love affair the fans have with the Trail Blazers. ... He's part of their immediate family. Everything else with the Blazers have changed over the past 20 years, but you just don't mess with the Schonz."
Schonely is often compared to legendary announcers Chick Hearn
and Johnny Most
, of the Los Angeles Lakers
and Boston Celtics
, respectively. At Schonely's induction to the 2002 Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, former Blazers center Bill Walton
said: "Bill Schonely is as important to sports in the Northwest as Chick Hearn was to sports in Southern California. There are very few people in the history of Western Civilization who have had that kind of an impact." Walton also said: "Bill Schonely is the most important figure in the history of Oregon sports, with all due respect to Phil Knight and Maurice Lucas. Bill Schonely is the man who convinced people that sports are worthwhile."
A restaurant in the Rose Garden is named in his honor, the Pyramid Taproom at Schonely's Place.
The Trail Blazers organization retired Schonely's microphone on November 3, 2003.
The 1992 Public Enemy album, Greatest Misses
features the voice of Schonely calling Trail Blazer games on the track "Air Hoodlum."
, including "Rip City," "Bingo Bango Bongo," "Climb the golden ladder," "Lickety brindle up the middle" and "You've got to make your free throws."
Schonely's best-known phrase, "Rip City", debuted in a game against the Lakers in 1970. The Blazers had fallen behind by a significant margin, yet rallied back to a two-point deficit. When a long jump shot by guard Jim Barnett
tied the game, Schonely blurted out, "Rip City! All right!" an exhortation for which Schonely had no literal explanation. The Blazers lost 136-114 but the phrase stuck, became synonymous with Blazers basketball and even became a nickname for Portland itself.
Schonely is also known for the opening line of each broadcast, "Good evening basketball fans, wherever you may be..." delivered in some variation since the beginning of his professional sportscasting career in Baton Rouge.
for Broadcasting.
, Life Flight, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
and Providence Child Center Foundation
.
Schonely sings in his church choir, plays golf, and likes to listen to big-band music.
Sports commentator
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
who was the first play-by-play announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
. A native of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, he worked in radio in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
and Seattle before settling in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. In addition to his work for the Blazers, he has also been a sportscaster for Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
games, several minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
teams, college sports, National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
games, and junior ice hockey
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
.
Background and military career
Schonely was born in Norristown, PennsylvaniaNorristown, Pennsylvania
Norristown is a municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, northwest of the city limits of Philadelphia, on the Schuylkill River. The population was 34,324 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
, the first child of Walter and Juanita Schonely. A stutterer as a child, Schonely worked on a weekly high school information radio show on WNAR
WNAP
WNAP is a class D AM radio station on 1110 kHz serving the Norristown, Pennsylvania area. WNAP broadcasts gospel music from its tower near Arch Road in East Norriton.-External links:*...
in Norristown, which led to opportunities at radio and television stations in Philadelphia. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, and was sent to Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
. While stationed overseas, Schonely transferred to Armed Forces Radio
American Forces Network
The American Forces Network is the brand name used by the United States Armed Forces American Forces Radio and Television Service for its entertainment and command internal information networks worldwide...
, where he was a disc jockey as well as doing news, sports and interviews. He also did his first play-by-play, calling military football and baseball games. In 1951, Schonely was reassigned to Quantico, Virginia
Quantico, Virginia
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there are 561 people, 295 households, and 107 families living in the town. The population density is . There are 359 housing units at an average density of .-Racial composition:...
, where he worked on the weekly base newspaper and emceed military events and parades under the guidance of General Clifton B. Cates
Clifton B. Cates
General Clifton Bledsoe Cates , USMC, was the 19th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps...
. Among his duties were escorting military celebrities to New York City, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia for radio and TV interviews.
Baton Rouge
Upon leaving the Marines, Schonely followed a job offer to WAFBWAFB
WAFB is the CBS-affiliated television station for Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on VHF channel 9 from a transmitter southwest of Arlington. Owned by Raycom Media, WAFB is sister to Class A MyNetworkTV affiliate WBXH-CA. The two share studios on Government...
radio and TV in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
, where he served in a variety of on-air roles. He covered sports for the radio station, covering the minor league baseball team Baton Rouge Red Sticks and the LSU Tigers
LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers are the athletic teams of Louisiana State University. They participate in the NCAA's Division I, in the Southeastern Conference. It fields teams in 14 varsity sports . Its official team nickname is the Fighting Tigers and the school mascot is Mike the Tiger...
football and basketball teams as well as some rodeo
Rodeo
Rodeo is a competitive sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States, Canada, South America and Australia. It was based on the skills required of the working vaqueros and later, cowboys, in what today is the western United States,...
events. WAFB promoted a weekly wrestling match, and Schonely became the ring announcer. Schonely filled in as a referee, which eventually led to participating in matches on a tag team.
Seattle
Schonely moved to Seattle in 1955 and joined KOMOKOMO (AM)
KOMO is a radio station based in Seattle, Washington. Its format is primarily news. From 2003 to 2008, it was also the flagship station of the Seattle Mariners Radio Network...
radio and then moved over to KOMO-TV
KOMO-TV
KOMO-TV, virtual channel 4, is a television station in Seattle, Washington. It is an affiliate of ABC and broadcasts on digital channel 38. KOMO-TV is the flagship station of Fisher Communications, and its studios and offices are co-located with sister radio stations KOMO , KVI , and KPLZ-FM ...
, where he worked with future ABC Sports
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
broadcaster Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson is an American sportscaster, known for his long career with ABC Sports , his coverage of college football , his style of folksy, down-to-earth commentary, and his distinctive voice, with its deep cadence, and operatic tone considered "like Edward R...
. Once again, Schonely found work in professional wrestling, although he did not pursue it as a career. Schonely also called roller derby
Roller derby
Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating in the same direction around a track. Game play consists of a series of short matchups in which both teams designate a scoring player who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team...
games for KTNT-TV
KSTW
KSTW is a television station serving the Seattle, Washington media market. It is owned by CBS Corporation, and is a part of The CW Television Network. It broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 11...
.
In 1957, Schonely suggested to Keith Allen
Keith Allen (ice hockey)
Courtney "Keith" Allen is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman and former National Hockey League head coach and general manager. He was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada...
, then player-coach for the Seattle Totems
Seattle Totems
The Seattle Totems were a professional ice hockey franchise in Seattle, Washington. They were a member of various minor professional and semi-professional leagues between 1945 and 1975. They played their home games in the Mercer Arena and later at the Seattle Center Coliseum...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
, that their games be televised and that he should call them. A skeptical Allen agreed, if Schonely could find sponsors. Schonely enlisted friends including a funeral home dierctor, optometrist and restaurateur to sponsor, and KOMO-TV broadcast Totems games on Sunday nights. Schonely called Totems games for 11 years on television and radio, and the team became popular in Seattle for a time.
In one incident during a game against the San Francisco Seals at the Cow Palace
Cow Palace
Cow Palace is an indoor arena, in Daly City, California, situated on the city's border with neighboring San Francisco, notable as a sporting arena.-History:...
, an obnoxious fan would hit a siren every time the Seals made a good play, and eventually held the siren up to Schonely's ear. Going to a commercial, Schonely announced: "By the time I get back on the air, this guy is going to have a knuckle sandwich." Schonely put his headset down, turned around and slugged him. Security took the man away, and Schonely returned to the air, saying: "He got his knuckle sandwich, folks."
Schonely moved to KAYO radio in 1959, and the Totems came with him. However, the station switched to a country and western
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format, and Schonely left the station. Schonely worked as public relations director for Longacres Race Track before returning to broadcasting as sports director for KVI. Schonely brought the Totems to the station, called games for the Washington Huskies
Washington Huskies
Washington Huskies is the nickname of the University of Washington's athletic teams. The school is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. The athletic program is made up of 9 men's sports and 10 women's sports Washington Huskies is the nickname of the University of Washington's athletic teams. The...
and baseball games for the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
Seattle Angels
Seattle Rainiers
The Seattle Rainiers, originally named the Seattle Indians and also known as the Seattle Angels, were a minor league baseball team in Seattle, Washington, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903-06 and 1919-68...
. At that time, the PCL stretched from Hawaii to Little Rock, and the station could not cover all games. Instead, Schonely would receive updates from a reporter at the game via teletype, play sound effects to simulate crowd noise, and call the game as if he was actually present. In 1967, Schonely did West Coast National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
coverage for CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. Schonely also called major league
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
Seattle Pilots
Seattle Pilots
The Seattle Pilots were an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington for one season, . The Pilots played home games at Sick's Stadium and were a member of the West Division of Major League Baseball's American League...
games for the one year they played before moving to Milwaukee.
In 1967, Schonely nearly became the radio voice for the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
, newly created by NBA expansion. Dick Vertlieb
Dick Vertlieb
Richard "Dick" Harvey Vertlieb was an American sports executive. He was the winner of the 1975 NBA Executive of the Year Award after serving as general manager for the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. He also served as general manager for the Seattle SuperSonics and Indiana Pacers, as well as...
, the team's first general manager, offered the job to Schonely, who was not then an avid NBA fan. Schonely accepted, but was pushed aside at the behest of Union Oil of California
Unocal Corporation
Union Oil Company of California, dba Unocal is a defunct company that was a major petroleum explorer and marketer in the late 19th century, through the 20th century, and into the early 21st century. It was headquartered in El Segundo, California, United States.On August 10, 2005, Unocal merged...
, a key sponsor who wanted Bob Blackburn, who was the Sonics' radio voice until the early 1990s.
Early years
In April 1970, Schonely was approached by Blazers co-founder Harry GlickmanHarry Glickman
Harry Glickman is a retired journalist, promoter, and sports executive. He was one of the founders of the Portland Trail Blazers, and was the team's president from 1987 to 1994.-Early career:...
, whom Schonely knew as a founder of the Portland Buckaroos
Portland Buckaroos
The Portland Buckaroos was the name of several professional ice hockey teams based in Portland, Oregon.-PCHL/NWHL era :The first incarnation of Portland Buckaroos played their home games at the Portland Ice Arena. The Buckaroos initially played in the four-team Pacific Coast Hockey League from...
. Schonely was the organization's sixth hire. Said Glickman in a 2008 interview: "The interview only lasted a few minutes; he opened his mouth and I knew I had the right guy."
Schonely moved to Portland to start with the team on July 1, 1970. Schonely's first task was to assemble a radio network, starting with Portland's KOIN
KOIN
KOIN is the CBS affiliate television station serving the Portland metropolitan area. Its transmitter is located in Portland, Oregon, United States; it broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 40...
as the flagship, and Blazer games were carried on six stations the first year. Schonely was not as familiar with basketball as with other sports, and had to work hard to learn the game, attending every practice early on.
Schonely called the play-by-play on 2,522 Blazers radio and television broadcasts, from Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
’s very first preseason outing (September 24, 1970) to the team's appearance in the 1998 NBA Playoffs (April 30, 1998).
Schonely's announcing streak was interrupted only once, when he missed the first 25 games of the 1982-83 season for heart bypass surgery following a heart attack.
In 2003, Schonely returned to the team to appear in radio and television segments and act as a team ambassador at charity and community events.
Return to the Blazers
In 2003, Schonely was rehired by the Trail Blazers' new management, a move aimed at reconnecting with Blazers fans disenchanted by the previous management and players' off-court troubles. Schonely's role included hosting pre-game segments, "Memorable Moments" on television and "Blazers Flashback" on radio, plus appearances in advertisements and at community events. Team president Steve PattersonSteve Patterson (sports executive)
Steve Patterson is an American sports executive and the former president and general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers National Basketball Association franchise.Patterson joined the Trail Blazers as the team president in June 2003...
called the move "smart business" and intended to honor the team's past.
The move followed general manager Bob Whitsitt
Bob Whitsitt
Bob Whitsitt is a former sports executive in both the National Basketball Association and the National Football League. He has served as the general manager for three teams: the Seattle SuperSonics and Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA, and the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL...
's resignation in May. Asked whether he would have responded had the call come from Whitsitt, Schonely said at the time, "Probably not."
On October 14, 2009, at age 80, Schonely returned to the microphone for the second half of a "throwback" exhibition game held at Portland's Memorial Coliseum, where the Blazers played from 1970 until 1995. The occasion was billed as a one-quarter tribute, but radio announcer Brian Wheeler
Brian Wheeler
"Brain Wheeler" is also a British dwarf actor who appeared in BBC children's show Trapped!.Brian Wheeler, commonly known by the nickname "Wheels", is the play-by-play radio announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association and host of a daily radio program.-Early...
let Schonely call the remainder of the game.
Schonely's Trail Blazers business card reads, "Ambassador".
Portland Beavers
In 2000, Schonely signed a five-year deal to be the play-by-play announcer with the newest incarnation of the Portland BeaversPortland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
Triple-A franchise, relocated from Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
. Like the original Blazers job, the Beavers offer came from Harry Glickman, this time on behalf of then-Beavers owner Portland Family Entertainment, run by Glickman's son. Schonely, who allowed that he was open to a future role with the Blazers, called games for the Beavers through the 2002 PCL season.
While announcing Beavers games, Schonely made use of his famous phrases. Adapted for baseball use, "Lickety brindle up the middle" meant a base hit going past the pitcher's mound into center field, "Bingo, bango, bongo" was used on 5-4-3 double plays. More occasionally, Schonely deployed "Rip City" for an outstanding and important play.
Other work
Schonely has recorded television advertisements for Standard TV & Appliance and other businesses in the Portland area and has served as emcee of the former Fred Meyer ChallengeFred Meyer Challenge
The Fred Meyer Challenge was a charity golf tournament played in the Portland metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Oregon. Held from 1986 to 2002, it was organized by Portland native and PGA Tour golfer Peter Jacobsen and sponsored by the then locally owned hypermarket chain Fred Meyer. The field...
charity golf tournament.
Popularity
According to Oregon sportswriter Kerry Eggers, Schonely is considered by fans "the one constant link with Oregon's only major-league team."NBA trainer Ron Culp said of Schonely in 1990, "Bill Schonely is the symbol of the love affair the fans have with the Trail Blazers. ... He's part of their immediate family. Everything else with the Blazers have changed over the past 20 years, but you just don't mess with the Schonz."
Schonely is often compared to legendary announcers Chick Hearn
Chick Hearn
Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn was an American sportscaster. Known primarily as the long-time play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, the legendary Hearn is remembered for his rapid fire, staccato broadcasting style, inventing colorful phrases such...
and Johnny Most
Johnny Most
John M. "Johnny" Most was an American sports announcer, known primarily as the raspy radio voice of the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association from 1953 to 1990....
, of the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, respectively. At Schonely's induction to the 2002 Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, former Blazers center Bill Walton
Bill Walton
William Theodore "Bill" Walton III is a retired American basketball player and television sportscaster. The "Big Red-Head", as he was called, achieved superstardom playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early '70s, winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, while...
said: "Bill Schonely is as important to sports in the Northwest as Chick Hearn was to sports in Southern California. There are very few people in the history of Western Civilization who have had that kind of an impact." Walton also said: "Bill Schonely is the most important figure in the history of Oregon sports, with all due respect to Phil Knight and Maurice Lucas. Bill Schonely is the man who convinced people that sports are worthwhile."
A restaurant in the Rose Garden is named in his honor, the Pyramid Taproom at Schonely's Place.
The Trail Blazers organization retired Schonely's microphone on November 3, 2003.
The 1992 Public Enemy album, Greatest Misses
Greatest Misses
Greatest Misses is Public Enemy's first compilation album released in 1992. It features new tracks and re-mixes of previously released songs .-Track listing:#"Tie Goes to the Runner"#"Hit Da Road Jack"#"Gett Off My Back"...
features the voice of Schonely calling Trail Blazer games on the track "Air Hoodlum."
Signature phrases
Schonely coined or popularized numerous phrases and sayings during his radio career with the Blazers, which have become synonymous with the Blazermania phenomenon in OregonOregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, including "Rip City," "Bingo Bango Bongo," "Climb the golden ladder," "Lickety brindle up the middle" and "You've got to make your free throws."
Schonely's best-known phrase, "Rip City", debuted in a game against the Lakers in 1970. The Blazers had fallen behind by a significant margin, yet rallied back to a two-point deficit. When a long jump shot by guard Jim Barnett
Jim Barnett (basketball)
James Franklin Barnett is a former professional basketball player. He is in his 25th season as a television analyst for the Golden State Warriors.-Youth and college career:...
tied the game, Schonely blurted out, "Rip City! All right!" an exhortation for which Schonely had no literal explanation. The Blazers lost 136-114 but the phrase stuck, became synonymous with Blazers basketball and even became a nickname for Portland itself.
Schonely is also known for the opening line of each broadcast, "Good evening basketball fans, wherever you may be..." delivered in some variation since the beginning of his professional sportscasting career in Baton Rouge.
Recognition
In 2002, Schonely was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of FameOregon Sports Hall of Fame
The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame honors Oregon athletes, teams, coaches, and others who have made a significant contribution to sports in Oregon. The first class was inducted in 1980, with new inductees added in the fall...
for Broadcasting.
Personal
Schonely's philanthropic work includes association with the American Heart AssociationAmerican Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization in the United States that fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is headquartered in Dallas, Texas...
, Life Flight, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a non-profit organization in the United States established to provide the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis . The Foundation provides information about cystic fibrosis and finances CF research that aims to improve the quality of life for people with the...
and Providence Child Center Foundation
Providence Portland Medical Center
Providence Portland Medical Center, located at 4805 NE Glisan St. in the Center neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, is a full service medical center specializing in cancer and cardiac care. Opened in 1941, the hospital is licensed for 483 beds, and has over 3,000 employees. There are approximately...
.
Schonely sings in his church choir, plays golf, and likes to listen to big-band music.
External links
- Highlights from Bill Schonely's return to the microphone
- Bill Schonely at The Internet Movie Database