Tom Larscheid
Tom Larscheid | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1940 |
| Occupation | Sportscaster |
Tom Larscheid (born in 1940 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin), is a Vancouver-based radio sports broadcaster and former football player, currently serving as the colour commentator for the Vancouver Canucks on Vancouver's Team 1040 radio station, alongside his play-by-play partner John Shorthouse. His commentary is also featured on the Canucks pay-per-view television coverage.
Early Life and Sports Career
Born April 6, 1940 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and raised in California, he was a running back for Utah State University, where he was an All-American in 1960. In that year he led the nation with a rushing average of 8.4 yards.[1] Highlights of his playing days at Utah State include a 76-yard pass reception against Hawaii in 1959,[2] a 102-yard kickoff return against BYU in 1960,[3] and an 85-yard punt return versus Utah in 1961.[4]
Larscheid was selected in the 18th round (251st overall) of the 1962 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles,[5], but ended up signing with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League, where he played for two seasons.[6][7]
Broadcasting career
After his retirement from football, he became the colour commentator for the BC Lions on CKNW, working alongside play-by-play commentator Jim Cox. In 1977, he added hockey broadcasting to his duties, joining Jim Robson in the booth for Vancouver Canucks radio broadcasts. When the Lions radio rights moved to CFUN in 1983, Larscheid went with them and left the Canucks broadcasts. In 1984, Cox retired and J. P. McConnell became the new "voice of the Lions". In 1988, the Lions moved back to CKNW and Larscheid resumed his work with the Canucks. Larscheid's duties included television as well, when the Canucks simulcasted their radio broadcasts on BCTV or CHEK-TV. From 1987 to 1990, Larscheid did television work for football as well, working on the CFL-produced Canadian Football Network, where he worked as a colour commentator on four Grey Cups. In 1994, Jim Robson retired from radio and Larscheid's new partner became Jim Hughson. In 1999, Hughson moved back to television full-time and Larscheid was paired with John Shorthouse. All through this time, he continued to juggle both football and hockey. However, this meant frequent scheduling conflicts and in 2000 he was pulled off Lions broadcasts in order to work full-time on Canucks games.
In 2006, Larscheid and Shorthouse moved to radio station CKST ("The Team 1040"), when that station won the Canucks broadcasting rights from CKNW. In addition to acting as a colour commentator, Larscheid frequently hosts "intermission guests" between periods in the broadcast booth.
In early March 2007, Larscheid hinted that he very well might retire from his colour commentary duties at the end of the 2006–07 hockey season, his 30th as the colour man for the Canucks.[8] However, Larscheid on May 15th 2007 signed a new 1 year contract with TEAM 1040 to continue being the colour commentator for the Vancouver Canucks.[9]
Tom also makes a daily appearance on the "Canucks Lunch with Rick Ball" on the TEAM 1040 in Vancouver. He is heard daily at 12noon.
On-air personality
Larscheid is known for his enthusiasm, frequently laughing and giggling during broadcasts. He is known for a more objective and neutral point of view towards the team. He is very quick to criticise players and officials and is seen by many as being a "homer" and by others as the exact opposite. This combination has led to a couple of incidents where he has uttered expletives on the air, for which he has later apologised. One was during Game 1 of the 1994 Western Conference Final, when Toronto defenceman Jamie Macoun speared a Vancouver player, causing an angered Larscheid to exclaim, "That's just bulls**t!" Another was during the famous incident in 2000 when Boston defenceman Marty McSorley two-handed Vancouver's Donald Brashear over the head, which prompted Larscheid to react in a similar way.
References
- ^ Tom Larsheid biography at bcradiohistory.com
- ^ Aggies Take On Warriors Saturday
- ^ Aggies Take On Warriors Saturday
- ^ [http://utahstateaggies.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090808aaa.html Utah State Hosts No. 22 Utah Saturday In Aggies' Home Opener]
- ^ Utah State Drafted Players/Alumni
- ^ 1962 CFL Statistics
- ^ 1963 CFL Statistics
- ^ Irreplaceable Larscheid mulls retirement - Ed Willes. The Province, Canada.com March 8, 2007
- ^ Canucks radio broadcasts stay Larscheid-licious - David Pratt. The Province, Canada.com May 15, 2007