Throughout the off-season, the Ontario Hockey League will be spotlighting a member from each of our teams’ front office staffs as we look to highlight those working “Behind the Scenes” of the day-to-day operations.
The newest edition features Soo Greyhounds Director of Public Relations, Hockey Administration and Radio Broadcaster, Gerry Liscumb Jr.
GLJ: I’m Gerry Liscumb Jr., Director of Public Relations, Hockey Administration and Radio Broadcaster for the Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club. After completing just my first year (of three) of the Print & Broadcast Journalism course at Canadore College in North Bay, I was privileged and fortunate to be hired by the Greyhounds back in 2005, thus making this my 18th year with the organization.
While I hadn’t had any hockey or radio experience prior, my experience hinged on various broadcasting/PA roles at various stock car racing facilities. To help with my resume and ‘demo tape’, I was given an opportunity to broadcast a North Bay Skyhawks and Abitibi Eskimos NOJHL game on CogecoTV in North Bay thanks to the Skyahwks Owner Guy Blanchard. The rest is history.
What are your responsibilities as the Greyhounds’ Director of Public Relations, Hockey Administration and Radio Broadcaster?
GLJ: Similar to the other four staff members in our Business Operations office, my role with the team is pretty vast and we all cross-over and try to work hand-in-hand to assist with the various aspects of the organization due to our staff size. But as for me specifically there’s the three components – Public Relations/Communications, Hockey Administration and then the Broadcasting.
For the Public Relations/Communications I am the lead contact for the team when dealing with local and national media, produce all teams press releases, website maintenance, schedule and execute public appearances etc. On the Hockey Administration side I organize and execute all logistics for our annual Development Camps and Training Camps, schedule all the team’s travel arrangements, operate our billet housing program while working with the league office for all memos, bulletins, scheduling etc.
While for Broadcasting, I am the play-by-play announcer for all our regular season and playoff games on Rock 101 and am proudly joined by Spanky Robinson and Peter Ruicci on the air. No one day is the same as the other, as there is always something going on in our office very much like the other 19 offices across the OHL.
What led you to your current role?
GLJ: Growing up I had always enjoyed broadcasting and hockey. As stated earlier, I had a chance to get my feet wet behind a microphone at an area race track initially back in 2000 while I had volunteered at the same time as an Equipment Manager with the Soo Thunderbirds Jr. A Team. Once I decided what I wanted to pursue post-secondary and enrolled in college this opportunity opened up near the end of my first year and I took a chance by applying. Luckily for me, then GM Dave Torrie, took a chance on me at the age of 23.
You’ve been with the team for over 18 years, what has been the most fulfilling part throughout your journey with the team?
GLJ: I could easily point to various accomplishments or milestones the team has had over my tenure with the club, but I would have to point to the fact that I have been able to work in my hometown for a team I grew up watching my entire life. It’s been a very unique and rewarding experience. Sault Ste. Marie is a very special community that is extremely passionate about their team. They eat, sleep and breath the OHL and the Hounds. To be able to be a part of that and be one of just a handful of people in my position throughout the team’s history has been special.
Being a bit more remote than other teams, what is the best part about the Greyhounds community?
GLJ: The fans. The sponsors. Ultimately it’s the support the team receives from the community. Whether you are GM, Coach, player or staff member our community holds you accountable. They are so passionate about the team and want to see it succeed and be hard-working that they push you to want to make them proud.
On a team-side, being ‘remote’ in comparison to the rest of the OHL allows the players and staff to create a bond that is unique. It’s a busy season and a lot of time is spent on the bus, in hotels and on the road. It allows you to get to know each other perhaps more than others have the chance to do in other communities.
What are you most looking forward to this season in the Soo?
GLJ: It’ll be nice to get the headset back on and ‘paint the picture’ of all of our games once the season starts at the end of September. To get back in the swing of things, meet the new staff, and see the progress this team can make over the coming months is exciting.
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