BILL MCCOACH

One of my favorite people in local sports -- longtime Lehigh University sports PA announcer Bill McCoach -- had a streak end on Wednesday night.

Lehigh sports information sent out a release. Here it is:

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Fans attending Wednesday’s Christmas City Classic championship saw a heck of a game. But as the crowd settled in and the game got underway, it’s what they heard that likely garnered their attention: a voice other than that of Bill McCoach greeting them on the sound system. For the first time since 1988, a Lehigh basketball game was played at Stabler Arena without McCoach behind the microphone.

Over the Christmas holiday, McCoach, 78, contracted laryngitis and lost his voice. He worked the first two games of the Classic on Tuesday, but was struggling mightily by game’s end. Despite treatment from Lehigh’s Sports Medicine staff, McCoach lost his voice completely and was unable to announce Wednesday’s doubleheader.

McCoach sat on press row opposite the team benches Wednesday, as Steve Lomangino – the radio voice of Lehigh wrestling – filled in for McCoach, whose streak ended at exactly 560 consecutive Lehigh men’s and women’s basketball home games broadcast.

“Bill is a legend when it comes to Lehigh basketball, and he can’t be replaced,” Lomangino said after the games. “I’m just relieved that he approved of the job I did. Although none of us wanted to see the streak come to an end, I’m glad I was able to step in and help out, but I’m looking forward to seeing him back in his rightful place on Saturday.”

McCoach, who is also the public address announcer for Lehigh football, men’s and women’s soccer, cross country, field hockey, volleyball, wrestling, track & field, baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s lacrosse – plans to return to action Saturday evening for a Lehigh basketball doubleheader. That night, the women host Akron at 5 p.m., and the men will take on NJIT at 7:30 p.m.

If all goes according to plan, McCoach’s new streak will sit at “two” come Sunday morning.



*****************



From Groller's Corner, here's hoping that one of the great voices and great people in Lehigh Valley sports regains that voice soon and is back where he belongs behind a microphone.

Keith Groller