After 28 years Sisisky signs off

He has brought Virginia Commonwealth University Basketball to the Rams’ faithful since 1980, but after 28 years behind the microphone, VCU play-by-play broadcaster Terry Sisisky announced he is stepping down Friday. “I was honored to be the voice of VCU for the last 28 years,” Sisisky said. “There’s a responsibility behind being the play-by-play voice of […]

June 20, 2008; 10:42 AM • by FTRea

He has brought Virginia Commonwealth University Basketball to the Rams’ faithful since 1980, but after 28 years behind the microphone, VCU play-by-play broadcaster Terry Sisisky announced he is stepping down Friday.

“I was honored to be the voice of VCU for the last 28 years,” Sisisky said. “There’s a responsibility behind being the play-by-play voice of the Rams that the fans can identify with. It was great to be part of the VCU family and the University for so many years.”

Sisisky has been courtside 840 of the last 843 Rams games, including 567 straight at one point. Additionally, Sisisky has also called VCU baseball for more than a decade. However, after years on the road, the 55-year-old broadcaster is ready to slow down.

“The travel, to me, was really becoming a hassle, and I felt like the best thing for me to do is to step down now. I can still do play-by-play on the high school level, or with Randolph-Macon in the ODAC and still be home the same day, and that was very attractive to me.”

Sisisky, who works for 880 WGGM in Chester, Va., has called high school sports in the Petersburg and Richmond areas for 34 years. He is currently the voice of Petersburg High School’s football and basketball programs.  

Known simply as ‘The T-Man’ by many Rams’ followers, Sisisky is touched by the way VCU fans have received him over the years.

“I was really humbled by the way the fans treated me at VCU,” Sisisky commented. “The whole T-Man thing, and the way fans would come up to me before and after the game. I’ve never looked at myself as anything but a radio announcer. The fans at VCU made me feel important. I really felt like part of the family.”

VCU Athletic Director Norwood Teague was one of many who expressed gratitude upon learning of Sisisky’s decision.

“Terry Sisisky has been an institution at VCU for three decades and it’s hard to imagine Rams’ basketball or baseball without him. Nobody worked harder for this University than he did. VCU Athletics, and more importantly, the entire VCU family thanks Terry Sisisky for 28 wonderful years. He will be sorely missed.”

Sisisky was hired after catching the ear of former VCU Athletic Director Lewis Mills while calling a Hopewell High School basketball game. On Nov. 28, 1980, Sisisky signed on for a 44-40 VCU win over Lafayette in Charlottesville, Va. He did not miss a Rams’ game for the next 20 years, until a family commitment forced him to skip VCU’s win over Delaware State Nov. 26, 1999 at the Alltel Pavilion.

After a generation on the sidelines, Sisisky, who was inducted into the Richmond Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2006, realizes that leaving will not be easy.

“I’m going to miss VCU because I’ve met a lot of good people,” Sisisky said. “I’ve put every ounce of energy into every broadcast. I poured everything into every game.”

Anthony Grant – VCU Head Coach
“I wish Terry Sisisky and his family all the happiness in the world. It’s been a pleasure working with him the last two seasons. He was a tremendous ambassador for our program because he worked so hard and really enjoyed what he was doing. I think our fans could see that.”
 
Kendrick Warren – Player 1990-94 (VCU’s All-Time Leading Scorer)
“The T-Man was always so enthusiastic. You could tell he really loved what he was doing. He loved the fans and the players, and they loved him back.”

Jeff Capel – Head Coach, University of Oklahoma (VCU Head Coach 2002-06)
“T-man, the voice of the Rams! Thanks for all that you have done for the coaches, players, and fans at Virginia Commonwealth University. We were all truly blessed to have someone as passionate and dedicated as you on our team. I wish you happiness.”

Sonny Smith – VCU Head Coach 1989-1998
“My first thought about Terry is loyalty. He was the most loyal guy to the program and to the team of any guy I’ve ever seen. He was also the most prepared guy. He never did a game where he wasn’t fully prepared for the Rams or the other team.”
 
“He was a friend, and if he liked you, he’d do anything for you. If there is anybody that loved his job more than Terry Sisisky, I’d like to meet him.”

– The information above was provided by Chris Kowalczyk, Assistant Athletic Director at VCU

June 20, 2008 10:42 AM 0