Gopher Basketball PA Voice to Retire

For 31 years, his signature line "This is Golden Gopher Basketball!" has rang through Williams Arena prior to introducing the starting lineups prior to each men's basketball home game.

But at the conclusion of this season, Dick Jonckowski will be retiring after announcing more than 600 games since taking over the public address announcing duties from long time voice Julie Perlt.  But his voice won't be leaving the University of Minnesota athletic scene for good.  He will still handle the public address duties for Gopher baseball, including the inaugural indoor season at US Bank Stadium.

In addition to his involvement with Gopher athletics, Jonckowski, nicknamed "The Polish Eagle", will be emceeing numerous banquets and other events as well as serving as one of the PA announcers for the state high school boys and girls basketball tournaments and also the state baseball tournament.  He's also the PA voice for the American Legion Baseball World Series, which will be held this year in Shelby, NC.

A native of New Prague and a long time resident of Shakopee, Jonckowski has also served as the public address announcer for Shakopee High School basketball games and has also has work amateur baseball at Joe Schleper Stadium.  He also served his community as a sportscaster on radio station KSMM that included doing play-by-play for high school sports and hosting a Saturday morning show titled "Coaches Roundtable."

Jonckowski was also a voracious collector of sports memorablilia and it filled the basement of his Shakopee home.  He ended up having to sell some of his collectibles due to his basement being flooded and to help with medical expenses when he was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2014.

From Clem Haskins to Richard Pittino, Jonckowski has been part of numerous memorable moments at The Barn.  Though the Gophers are in a bit of a slump after a hot start, can they get back on the winning track as a way of honoring the voice who has served many maroon and gold clad fans who support Golden Gopher  Basketball?  There's plenty of season remaining, as well as the Big Ten Tournament in March and a possible NCAA tournament berth.