Berkey Joins Rampage

January 5, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


Longtime West Michigan sports broadcaster Rick Berkey has joined the Grand Rapids Rampage as the team's director of broadcasting.

Berkey, who brings 24 years of local radio and television experience to the Rampage, will oversee all aspects of the team's broadcasts. His specific duties will include serving as a liaison between the broadcast media and the team, establishing format for radio broadcasts and serving as quality control for all broadcasts. Joe Parson and Tom Sullivan will continue to serve as the team's radio play-by-play and color commentator respectively.

"Rick is a key player for us," said Rampage general manager of business operations Scott Woodruff. "With the increase of AFL broadcasts it is vital to have someone with Rick's expertise overseeing our efforts."

"My goal is to enhance the quality of the broadcasts and convey the fun and excitement of the game to viewers and listeners," Berkey noted about his new position. "The strength and quality of the FM signal allows major opportunities to reach the West Michigan market and present Arena Football in a major-league way."

Berkey previously spent eleven seasons with the West Michigan Whitecaps as the team's play-by-play voice. In addition, Berkey has served as the voice of the Grand Rapids Hoops and Grand Valley State basketball. He left the Whitecaps after the 2004 season to found Sportsplay, a company which produces local sports broadcasts. Berkey has also authored a book, Morning Drive, as well as several articles for local newspapers and magazines.

A native of Grand Rapids, Berkey and his wife Jane reside in Comstock Park. They have two children, daughter Lindsey (21) and son Jacob (18).

Rampage 2006 season tickets are now on sale. To reserve your season tickets for hard-hitting, high scoring, non-stop Rampage football on Centennial Wireless Field at Van Andel Arena, call the Rampage ticket offices at 1.888.595.4878 or log on to RampageFootball.com.

The 20th season of Arena Football and ninth of Rampage Football kicks off on Sunday, January 29, 2006 when the Rampage travel to take on the Destroyers at 3:00 p.m. Tune in on WOOD-TV channel 8 (NBC) in the Grand Rapids area all season long for the Rampage's drive to ArenaBowl XX. All Rampage games can be heard on 101.3 The Fox.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 5, 2006


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