St. Thomas hockey announcer Brian Sweeney was a co-recipient of the 2019-20 Bob Sheppard High School Announcer of the Year Award from the National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers.

The award is named after Bob Sheppard, who worked for 57 years with the New York Yankees organization. His work ethic and professionalism drives this award to be nationally prestigious among public address announcers.

“It is an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence as the legendary Bob Sheppard,” Sweeney said in a NASPAA press release. “From the beginning of my announcing career, I have been driven to be professional. Hopefully, the student-athletes whose games I announced will look back on their playing days with positive memories and know that I gave them 100%.”

To receive this award, candidates must be nominated by their peers and later, if the nomination is accepted, submit a recorded demo of their best game.

“Last year, I was nominated by Tom (Palkowski, women’s hockey coach) and Duke (Jeff Boeser, men’s hockey coach) for the college level award and didn’t win it then,” Sweeney said. “But this year, the high school (Simley High School) I work for submitted my information and I was lucky enough to be a co-recipient.”

Sweeney’s demo submitted for the Bob Sheppard High School Announcer of the Year Award. (Courtesy of Brian Sweeney)

Sweeney’s co-recipient is Kevin Acres from Oneida, Tennessee. Acres was not available for comment by press time.

“You do it because you enjoy sports or because you’re passionate about it. None of us get rich doing it,” Sweeney chuckled. “Let’s face it, at a hockey game I have one of the best seats in the arena and I get paid to be there.”

Sweeney has become an active member of the men’s hockey team by getting to know players, coaches and parents. Some of his favorite memories are from the people rather than the actual games.

“A couple years ago on senior night, there was a Swedish player and his sister was there and sang their national anthem before the game,” Sweeney said. “It’s the little things like that that are always fun.”

Sweeney has a close relationship with Boeser. Sweeney reflected on his relationship with Boeser, who announced his retirement at the end of the 2020-21 hockey season.

“Duke has been a wonderful person from day one,” Sweeney said. “I just hope that the next coach can appreciate what I bring to the game.”

Boeser spoke positively of Sweeney and his impact on the St. Thomas men’s hockey team.

“He’s one of a kind. He brings unbelievable energy to the fans even if there are only 10 people in the stands,” Boeser said. “I think he’s one of the best and he deserves to be recognized nationally.”

Sweeney has been announcing games for St. Thomas’ men’s hockey program for five seasons and will announce for the women’s hockey program this spring.

Andrés Tejeda can be reached at teje4962@stthomas.edu.