(left) The self-described "best looking play-by-play voice in the WCHA," Jay StickneySources: The Clarion, Westword, Denver Post
DU hockey players and coaches know him as "The Voice of University of Denver Hockey." But Jay Stickney was once the "Shagman" of the cheesy Denver commercials for Rocky's Autos near Mile High Stadium.
What's a "shagman?" David Rothrock - who founded Rocky's at a corner gas station in 1982 and has built it into one of the region's largest used-car dealerships, including a $100,000 budget for TV and radio spots - has the answer. "It's a name used for people who drive cars back and forth, from coast to coast or locally."
What's a "shagman?" David Rothrock - who founded Rocky's at a corner gas station in 1982 and has built it into one of the region's largest used-car dealerships, including a $100,000 budget for TV and radio spots - has the answer. "It's a name used for people who drive cars back and forth, from coast to coast or locally."
"I guess as strange as the commercials were, it was still fun doing them, being with the crew," Stickney remembers. "The weirdest part was really just meeting the general public. When you're out at the Adam's County Fair -- we went wherever there was dirt -- there'd be people waiting an hour and half to get a hat signed. It was like being a really bad rock star."
These days you can catch him live twice a week at the Ritchie Center as the voice of the University of Denver's Pioneer hockey team on KLZ 560 AM. "It's great being part of a team that's so successful for the past nine years. I get to travel with the team, hanging out with 20 & 21 year-old guys," says the 38-year-old. "I'm more like a coach. I drink a lot of coffee and just follow the puck."
"When I am on the air, I just pretend that I know what I am talking about," said Stickney.
Ask any coach or player to comment on his experiences with Stickney and the response will start with a laugh, smile or shake of the head, every time.
He is referred to by everyone who knows him as the team comic.
"Sometimes my humor will get me in trouble with fans though," said Stickney.
"One time, four or five DU players were called for penalties at the end of a game and a couple guys had to sit on laps in the penalty box because the box only holds about three players at a time. So I made a joke about there being a lap dance going on in the penalty box," said Stickney.
He added, "I got a call from an unhappy listener the next day. That was several years ago and I have not had any upset calls since. Maybe no one is listening to me anymore."
"I was the ninth pick for the job as DU announcer. They said it was because I was just too good looking for radio. I was just excited to be picked," Stickney joked.
Stickney said, "I have worked in many places, but I love working for the DU hockey program."
"Being able to call the games at the Frozen Four in Boston in 2004 was one of the most phenomenal experiences of my life, even if I did lose my voice by the end of the championship game," he said.
Stickney graduated with a degree in journalism and mass communications from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1990.
He currently resides in Littleton with his wife and two kids.
11 comments:
First, please don't "source" the Denver Post in a Jay Stickney story. (We try to pretend he's not there.)
Second, 34-years-old? Ha! That's his best joke of the year.
Third, ask him the real reason he lost his voice in Boston?
Fourth, this guy has no business behind a microphone at a hockey game. He'd be better served going head-to-head with David Letterman in New Yawk.
Fifth, my problem at DU home games is I see him around dinner time (best food in college hockey!) and he gives me a stomach ache, because my laughter interferes with trying to allow my food to settle.
You can't control Jay Stickey; you can only hope to contain him.
-- Mike Chambers
I edited the age to 38, but he does look closer to 50 years old. :-)
One other thing ... A few years ago Jay was doing postgame with Gwoz, after DU waxed Anchorage, limiting the Seawolves to 14 shots in Game 1 of the series.
Stickey: "Coach, I'm sure your guys are going to be ready for tomorrow night, because, you know, there is nothing more dangerous than a wounded Seawolve."
Gwoz: "Uhhh, so you say Jay."
-- MC
I enjoy Stickney's work on the broadcasts. I always remember him referring to Stephen Cook as "the human missile" or something to that extent when Cook was out pounding people on the forecheck.
Unbeknownst to most DU hockey fans, there is an advertisement aired late night right now that has Jay Stickney and Broncos backup tight end Nate Jackson in it. Stickney plays a checkout clerk at a grocery store. I'll try to find video of it. It's hilarious!
He is no Bob Martin thats for sure. But I still enjoy his broadcasts
From the Coaches Show the other night.
Stickney: The Pioneer Restaurant, where they have Happy Hour 7 days a week. When you think about it, you can't do better than 7 days a week.
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Gwozdecky: The difference between DU & Air Force is that DU averages 19.3 years old and Air Force is 24 years old.
Stickney: You had a great line about that. You said, "Just because they're 24 years old doesn't mean they're better hockey players."
Gwozdecky: (Mock Indignation) I did NOT say that.
Stickney: (Backing down) Ok. Just as a age reference, a player may not be better just because they are 24 years old.
Gwozdecky: Don't put words in my mouth.
Stickney: (Defensive) Wouldn't be the first time.
Gwozdecky: Sheesh.
I personally love Stickney, but it is really fun sometimes just to observe the interactions between him and Gwoz. And perhaps even more fun to listen to the internet broadcasts for the banter during commercials, though they finally figured out that that's still going during breaks.
14ers keep looking for that commercial :-)
Jay may not be a hockey smoothie, but he is one of the few radio announcers that is so funny that he can make you shoot beer out of your nose at least once a game. That's an art form, folks.
The picture looks a lot more corporate than he sounds. I vote for the voice.
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