Volcanoes Broadcaster Pat Lafferty Retires
September 13, 2007 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
Pat Lafferty, the radio play-by-play broadcaster for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes since the team's inception in 1997, has announced his retirement following the team's 2007 championship season.
"This team has just completed the two finest seasons in the history of the league and its been a great pleasure to step into the broadcast booth every night and tell their story," Lafferty said. "Following two consecutive championships--and the end of the Volcanoes' 11-year association with KYKN--it seems like the right time to leave the stage."
"For 11 years, I've enjoyed a wonderful association with owners Jerry Walker and Bill Tucker, our managers, players and fans," Lafferty added. "Those friendships, and the appreciation they've shown for the broadcasts, will always be treasured. It's also important that the team has as much time as possible to find a replacement and the best time to do that is between the end of the season and December."
Volcanoes president and general manager Jerry Walker said, "Pat will be sorely missed. He brought a tremendous amount of integrity to our broadcasts and to our organization. Pat was an integral part of the formation of our franchise in Salem-Keizer--bringing us instant credibility and played a huge role in all the successes we've experienced. On behalf of all Volcanoes fans, my partner Bill Tucker and the entire Volcanoes organization we say farewell Pat as I quote his memorable saying, "May there be joy in your journey; may your destination be your dream."
Lafferty has covered professional, college and prep sports in Oregon for 37 years. He began his broadcast career at KLOO Radio in Corvallis where he was sports director for 15 years. He spent eight years with the Portland Trail Blazers, serving as the team's play-by-play announcer from 1986-92 and the club's Director of Marketing Services in 1993-94. He left the Blazers to do volunteer work in 1994, proposing formation of a Library Foundation for Multnomah County. The Foundation was formed the following year and he served as a trustee on its board of directors for 10 years.
With the Volcanoes, Lafferty has been Director of Broadcasting while also writing the team's annual yearbooks and media guides, both of which have won national awards.
The Volcanoes will immediately begin accepting applications, resumes and air-checks for a successor. Interested applicants should reply to the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes PO Box 20936 Keizer, OR 97307.
Northwest League Stories from September 13, 2007
- Pucetas Wins Most Spectacular Pitcher Award - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Volcanoes Broadcaster Pat Lafferty Retires - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
