Whitecaps' radio announcer Skoczen steps down
Just like an inspiring Class A professional baseball player hoping to move up in the minor league system and eventually to the Major Leagues, West Michigan Whitecaps play-by-play radio announcer Dave Skoczen inspires to do the same.That's why after eight seasons announcing at the Single-A level, the past four with the Whitecaps, Skoczen, 30, has decided to leave the organization to pursue his dreams.
Friday will be Skoczen's last day as a member of the Whitecaps' organization. He plans to pack-up his family (wife and two boys, 3 and 1) and head to California in the coming days.
"It wasn't an easy decision (to leave the Whitecaps) because this is one of the best places to work in the minor leagues," Skoczen said. "But how long do you stay here, career wise, when you're dreams and thoughts are to announce at the Triple-A and hopefully the Major League level?
Dave called me a couple of weeks ago....at 7:00am CDT, by the way. The discussion started out about the decision to give Burlington the Championship after the rainouts in South Bend. We talked for a while about the season and a few other things. Then, at the very end, he said something like: Oh, by the way, my last day is September 26. We are moving back to California.
To say I was speechless would be an understatement.Dave has been great to work with over the last four seasons. He had good stories, odd questions, and was always helpful with information about the Whitecaps.
He was even helpful with the sales end of things because in the off-season Dave and I are both cold call warriors. If there was an idea to talk about or a possible client to discuss, he was always willing to call back...Not listen to the message that I left...but he would call back.
Good luck to you and the family, Dave.
It's hard not to feel sorry for you, though. You're still a fan of the Cleveland Browns. No one should have to go through that. Two Midwest League Championships don't quite make up for that.
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