Support Staff
Support Staff
| Equipment: | Dwayne DeMaere, Buzz Widmeyer |
|---|---|
| Stadium Announcer: | Ken "Hurricane" Himes |
| Water/Ball Boy: | Michael Dumesnil |
| Photographers: | Adrian Lam, John Clarkson, Gary Woodburn |
| Videographer: | Todd Kozinka |
Ken "Hurricane" Himes
Stadium Announcer
Hurricane and CFL QB Danny MacManus
Ken Himes first broke onto the sports broadcasting scene in 1991 as a small tropical storm only. Victorians weren't quite sure what they were witnessing. With his exceptional voice he began to entertain the fans in auto sports and the controversial boxing scene. Ironically at the time he promoted a young coach John Cardilicchia's fight, as pugilist in the ring. After a few years of hard work in the trenches and having had numerous mainstream sports radio and television execs SLAM the door in his face with out a chance to shine, Mr. Himes went back into the huddle and came up with a new game plan.
Kenny Himes reinvented himself as the Hurricane. A name he picked up while fighting for the B.C. heavy weight kickboxing championship. He no longer wanted to sound like the rest of the hack, sycophant egotistical journalists that all sounded so mediocre out there. The Hurricane launched himself off the canvas and challenged the status quo in all sports events bringing his fire and brimstone style to the games. Sports as diverse as Canadian National Synchro Swimming to various motor bike shows, hockey, lacrosse, pro wrestling and other events that needed the high energy kick in the pants of the Hurricane, now had a new prognosticator. He brought along in his arsenal the music, comedy, and the ability to interview and get the story cooking going into the games. The man has worked as an actor and sang rock and opera. Oh, and did we mention Football announcing.
The Hurricane began his pigskin prognostication announcing at Royal Athletic Park with the Vancouver Island Sharks back in the mid nineties. That makes him the longest serving member of the Victoria junior football club. From the start, he took our teams no matter how dismal the records in the early days and made the fans and the players feel good about the game and themselves. The Hurricane has always had a passion for making the young players feel great, and parents everywhere appreciated that much. Every game was as energetic as being at a mini Grey Cup. Soon, the Hurricane began to get endorsements from former players in both the C.F.L and the N.F.L. One previous C.F.L. official said he had never quite heard a public address announcer like that guy. Fans could hear the yards-downs etc. but also colour commentary and cheerleading all coming from the booth. The game day announcers most substantial input on the Victoria sports scene is his ability to get under the other players coaches and fans skins. After adding security to the booth the Hurricane continued to act as the thirteenth player on the field firing up the home team and paying customers all the while stamping out any sign of life from the other team. The Hurricane has helped with games outcomes and has secured The Royal Athletic Parks name as the House Of Pain and one of the least attractive places to play for visiting teams. Our home record has been exceptional with the help of the Hurricane, a master at sports physiological warfare. In fact the Hurricane had no idea how much the other teams hated his voice until he was a guest speaker at the Canadian Bowl in Chilliwack a few years ago. The administrators of other league teams told him during the meet and greet him how much they despised his style and having their players play in that park. Still, they were quite willing to hire him if he was to consider relocating. . At a press conference last season former teacher five time Grey Cup champion and C.F.L. hall of famer Dave Cutler told the assembled that he could not believe the Hurricane was still working in this town. Naturally the Hurricane whom is actually rather modest when not entertaining, thought the former Green Bay packer and Edmonton Eskimo player meant he should be run out of town. No. On the contrary Mr. Cutler felt the Hurricane should have gone onto the big leagues by now.
We are happy to have him back again this season. And so are our business partners. And business has never been better in the history of junior ball in Victoria. Enjoy the energy of the Hurricane sports fans!
