Did that voice at Williams Arena sound familiar? It was Dick Jonckowski

If you were at or watching the boys' basketball tournament games at the Barn on Wednesday, you heard a familiar University of Minnesota voice on the public address.

March 22, 2018 at 4:58PM
Dick Jonckowski got a bit emotional while reading the final game stats at the end of the game. Jonckowski worked his final game as the Gophers PA announcer at Williams Arena after 31 years. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com - March 2, 2017, Minneapolis, MN, Williams Arena, NCAA Basketball, Big 10, University of Minnesota Gophers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Dick Jonckowski got a bit emotional while reading the final game stats at the end of the game. Jonckowski worked his final game as the Gophers PA announcer at Williams Arena after 31 years. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com - March 2, 2017, Minneapolis, MN, Williams Arena, NCAA Basketball, Big 10, University of Minnesota Gophers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (Kyndell Harkness/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Over the last week, fans at Williams Arena for the state basketball tournaments heard a familiar voice over the public address system – Dick Jonckowski.

The 74-year-old Jonckowski, who was the P.A. announcer for Gophers basketball for 31 years before being replaced this season, did the two Class 2A quarterfinal boys' games at Williams Arena Wednesday night and is working consolation games at Concordia University in St. Paul today..

Jonckowski did the P.A. for 10 games at the girls' tournament over four days last week.

"I miss it a lot," said Jonckowski, who worked more than 600 Gophers games during his tenure. "It was my life for 31 years. It's been amazing how many have come up to me and 'we miss your voice.' That's been special."

A former radio announcer and a frequent emcee at sports-themed events, Jonckowski has a book coming out about his life later this year

It's an autobiography. It's titled "It's all about me. Dick Jonckowski, a Minnesota Treasure."

If you know Jonckowski, that shouldn't be a surprise.

about the writer

about the writer

Joel Rippel

News Assistant

Joel Rippel writes about sports for the Star Tribune.

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