Tom Larscheid
Encyclopedia
Tom Larscheid is a former Vancouver-based radio
sports broadcaster and football player. After a career playing college
and CFL
football, he was the colour commentator for the CFL's BC Lions
and the NHL's Vancouver Canucks
for many years. After 45 years in broadcasting and covering the Canucks for 27 seasons, he retired on October 9th, 2010 after doing one last game, the 2010-11 season opener.
and raised in California
, Larscheid was a running back
for Utah State University
, where he was an All-American
in 1960
. In that year
he led the nation with a rushing average of 8.4 yards. Highlights of his playing days at Utah State include a 76-yard pass reception against Hawaii
in 1959
, a 102-yard kickoff return against BYU
in 1960, and an 85-yard punt return versus Utah
in 1961.
Larscheid was selected in the 18th round (251st overall) of the 1962 NFL Draft
by the Philadelphia Eagles, but ended up signing with the British Columbia Lions
of the Canadian Football League
, where he played only two seasons before a being forced to retire due to knee injuries.
in the booth for Vancouver Canucks radio broadcasts. When the Lions radio rights moved to CFUN in 1983, Larscheid went with them and left the Canucks broadcasts. In 1984, Cox retired and J. P. McConnell became the new "voice of the Lions". In 1988, the Lions moved back to CKNW and Larscheid resumed his work with the Canucks. Larscheid's duties included television as well, when the Canucks simulcasted their radio broadcasts on BCTV
or CHEK-TV
. From 1987 to 1990, Larscheid did television work for football as well, working on the CFL-produced Canadian Football Network, where he worked as a colour commentator on the network's secondary broadcast team and worked four Grey Cups as a sideline reporter and field-level analyst. In 1994, Jim Robson retired from radio and Larscheid's new hockey partner became Jim Hughson
. In 1999, Hughson moved back to television full-time and Larscheid was paired with John Shorthouse
. All through this time, he continued to juggle both football and hockey. However, this meant frequent scheduling conflicts and in 2000 he was pulled off Lions broadcasts in order to work full-time on Canucks games.
In 2006, Larscheid and Shorthouse moved to radio station CKST ("The Team 1040"), when that station won the Canucks broadcasting rights from CKNW. In addition to acting as a colour commentator, Larscheid regularly interviewed guests between periods in the broadcast booth.
In early March 2007, Larscheid hinted that he might retire from his colour commentary duties at the end of the 2006–07 hockey season, his 24th with the Canucks. However, Larscheid on May 15, 2007 signed a new 1 year contract with TEAM 1040 to continue being the colour commentator for the Vancouver Canucks.
Tom also made daily appearances on the "Canucks Lunch with Blake Price
and Dave Tomlinson" radio show.
On July 28, 2010, Larscheid announced that he would be retiring at the start of the 2010–11 season
. His final radio call was the Vancouver Canucks season opener against the Los Angeles Kings on October 9. He spent 27 seasons as the colour commentator for the Vancouver Canucks and was replaced by Dave Tomlinson
.
and J. Paul McConnell, who were more conservative.
There were couple of incidents where he has uttered expletives on the air, for which he later apologized. One was during Game 1 of the 1994 Western Conference Final, when Toronto defenceman Jamie Macoun
speared Vancouver's Murray Craven
, causing an angered Larscheid to exclaim, "That's just bullshit!" Another was during the famous incident in 2000 when Boston defenceman Marty McSorley
two-handed Vancouver's Donald Brashear
over the head, which prompted Larscheid to react in a similar way.
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
sports broadcaster and football player. After a career playing college
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
and CFL
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
football, he was the colour commentator for the CFL's BC Lions
BC Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
and the NHL's Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
for many years. After 45 years in broadcasting and covering the Canucks for 27 seasons, he retired on October 9th, 2010 after doing one last game, the 2010-11 season opener.
Early life and sports career
Born April 6, 1940 in Milwaukee, WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and raised in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Larscheid was a running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
for Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
, where he was an All-American
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
in 1960
1960 College Football All-America Team
The 1960 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Teams for the 1960 college football season...
. In that year
1960 college football season
The 1960 college football season marked the last time that the University of Minnesota was a national champion on the gridiron. Murray Warmath's Minnesota Gophers were not in the Top 20 in preseason polling, but received the AP Trophy at the end of the regular season...
he led the nation with a rushing average of 8.4 yards. Highlights of his playing days at Utah State include a 76-yard pass reception against Hawaii
Hawaii Warriors football
The Hawaii Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team, which is currently coached by Greg McMackin, is part of the Western Athletic Conference until 2012, when the team joins the Mountain West Conference.The Hawaii Warriors...
in 1959
1959 college football season
The 1959 college football season saw Syracuse University crowned as the national champion by both the AP and the UPI wire services. Mississippi , which had outscored its opponents 350-21, finished #2 in both polls, and its only loss during the regular season had been to LSU, which ultimately...
, a 102-yard kickoff return against BYU
Brigham Young University Cougars football
The Brigham Young Cougars football team is a college football program representing Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The Cougars won the national championship in 1984 and have a Heisman Trophy winner in Ty Detmer. Since 1965, BYU has claimed 23 conference championships and played in 29 bowl...
in 1960, and an 85-yard punt return versus Utah
Utah Utes football
The Utah Utes football program is a college football team that currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I and represents the University of Utah. The Utah college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Rice–Eccles...
in 1961.
Larscheid was selected in the 18th round (251st overall) of the 1962 NFL Draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
by the Philadelphia Eagles, but ended up signing with the British Columbia Lions
British Columbia Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
, where he played only two seasons before a being forced to retire due to knee injuries.
Broadcasting career
After his retirement from football, he became the colour commentator for the BC Lions on CKNW beginning in 1965, working alongside play-by-play commentator Jim Cox. In 1977, he added hockey broadcasting to his duties, joining Jim RobsonJim Robson
Jim Robson was a radio and television broadcaster for the Vancouver Canucks from 1970 to 1999...
in the booth for Vancouver Canucks radio broadcasts. When the Lions radio rights moved to CFUN in 1983, Larscheid went with them and left the Canucks broadcasts. In 1984, Cox retired and J. P. McConnell became the new "voice of the Lions". In 1988, the Lions moved back to CKNW and Larscheid resumed his work with the Canucks. Larscheid's duties included television as well, when the Canucks simulcasted their radio broadcasts on BCTV
CHAN-TV
CHAN-DT is a television station in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, broadcasting over-the-air on digital channel 22, and available via cable providers in the area on channel 11. Owned by Shaw Communications as a part of its Shaw Media division, it is the West Coast flagship station of the...
or CHEK-TV
CHEK-TV
CHEK-DT, channel 6.1, is a television station based in Victoria, British Columbia and broadcasting to all of southwestern BC...
. From 1987 to 1990, Larscheid did television work for football as well, working on the CFL-produced Canadian Football Network, where he worked as a colour commentator on the network's secondary broadcast team and worked four Grey Cups as a sideline reporter and field-level analyst. In 1994, Jim Robson retired from radio and Larscheid's new hockey partner became Jim Hughson
Jim Hughson
Jim Hughson is a Canadian sportscaster, best known for his play-by-play of professional ice hockey and baseball.-Biography:...
. In 1999, Hughson moved back to television full-time and Larscheid was paired with John Shorthouse
John Shorthouse
John "Shorty" Shorthouse is a Canadian sports broadcaster, based in Vancouver. He is the lead play-by-play commentator for the Vancouver Canucks on the television station Rogers Sportsnet Pacific and the "Team 1040" when Vancouver games are not broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet Pacific.Shorthouse...
. All through this time, he continued to juggle both football and hockey. However, this meant frequent scheduling conflicts and in 2000 he was pulled off Lions broadcasts in order to work full-time on Canucks games.
In 2006, Larscheid and Shorthouse moved to radio station CKST ("The Team 1040"), when that station won the Canucks broadcasting rights from CKNW. In addition to acting as a colour commentator, Larscheid regularly interviewed guests between periods in the broadcast booth.
In early March 2007, Larscheid hinted that he might retire from his colour commentary duties at the end of the 2006–07 hockey season, his 24th with the Canucks. However, Larscheid on May 15, 2007 signed a new 1 year contract with TEAM 1040 to continue being the colour commentator for the Vancouver Canucks.
Tom also made daily appearances on the "Canucks Lunch with Blake Price
Blake Price
Blake Price is a Canadian sports journalist. He is currently a co-host on the Team 1040 sports radio alongside former NHLer Dave Tomlinson. Price previously worked at MOJO sports radio as well as television in Saskatoon, Sports Page in Vancouver and three years at TSN anchoring SportsCentre from...
and Dave Tomlinson" radio show.
On July 28, 2010, Larscheid announced that he would be retiring at the start of the 2010–11 season
2010–11 Vancouver Canucks season
The 2010–11 Vancouver Canucks season was the 40th season in the modern Canucks' history. The Vancouver Canucks won their fifth Northwest division title, third conference championship and first Presidents Trophy...
. His final radio call was the Vancouver Canucks season opener against the Los Angeles Kings on October 9. He spent 27 seasons as the colour commentator for the Vancouver Canucks and was replaced by Dave Tomlinson
Dave Tomlinson
David H. Tomlinson is a retired professional ice hockey centre. He played 42 games in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets and Florida Panthers. After his NHL career, he went on to play 10 years of professional hockey in Europe. He is now a regular contributor and analyst for Team...
.
On-air personality
Larscheid was known for his enthusiasm, frequently laughing and giggling during broadcasts. He didn't hide his support for the Canucks or Lions and openly cheered for them during broadcasts. He could be very quick to criticize players, coaches and officials, including players of the home teams whom he didn't think gave a maximum effort. His on-air bluntness sometimes angered players. He was said to have occasional conflicts with play-by-play commentators Jim RobsonJim Robson
Jim Robson was a radio and television broadcaster for the Vancouver Canucks from 1970 to 1999...
and J. Paul McConnell, who were more conservative.
There were couple of incidents where he has uttered expletives on the air, for which he later apologized. One was during Game 1 of the 1994 Western Conference Final, when Toronto defenceman Jamie Macoun
Jamie Macoun
Jamie Neil Macoun is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played parts of seventeen seasons in the National Hockey League....
speared Vancouver's Murray Craven
Murray Craven
Murray Dean Craven is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League between 1982–83 and 1999–2000.-Playing career:...
, causing an angered Larscheid to exclaim, "That's just bullshit!" Another was during the famous incident in 2000 when Boston defenceman Marty McSorley
Marty McSorley
Martin James "Marty" McSorley is a retired Canadian professional hockey player, who played in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 2000. A versatile player, he was able to play both the forward and defense positions. He is also a former head coach of the Springfield Falcons of the American...
two-handed Vancouver's Donald Brashear
Donald Brashear
Donald Brashear is an American-Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who is currently a member of the Rivière-du-Loup CIMT in the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey . He previously played for five organizations in the National Hockey League . His main role is that of an enforcer. He was...
over the head, which prompted Larscheid to react in a similar way.