The "Voice of Westfield State" Shows Support for the Owls

Christopher Hirtle may have started off working as an AV Equipment Technician for Westfield State, but he is now the Executive Director of Information and Instructional Technology and Media Services. Although the more things change at the University, the more they stay the same as he jokes that he now works in the same office he had 31 years ago following the recent Parenzo Hall renovations.

Hirtle has always been a devoted spectator for the Owls’ athletic events, even taking his daughter to various games while she was growing up. When she went away to college, Hirtle continued to attend the games, though it wasn’t long until he went to Richard Lenfest Jr., Director of Athletics, and asked to be put to work.

At first, Hirtle tracked athlete statistics before filling in as temporary announcer when the primary announcer split his time between Westfield State and Springfield College. “I remember my social studies teacher from junior high school who did announcing,” he said. “When you heard this guy's voice, you knew it was Saturday. You knew it was time for football. It meant something, and in the back of my head, I thought that would be kind of fun to do.”

After announcing for several games, Lenfest approached Hirtle and asked if he would like to announce on a regular basis, to which Hirtle agreed. “I get the best seat in the house,” Hirtle said before laughing. “It’s just fun.” Now, Hirtle announces for the football team, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, and the women’s lacrosse team in the spring semesters.

Hirtle and Lenfest also visited other universities to get a feel for how game announcing reflected the campus cultures. Ultimately, this allowed him to “develop [his] style of goofiness” that was a fit for Westfield State. Because game announcers also provide University advertisements and promotions during game breaks, most find that listeners remember these updates more when they have a unique and engaging personal identity.

When asked about his favorite memories from working at Westfield State, Hirtle revealed that during a game versus Western Connecticut State University, he began calling their team, the Colonials, “Canolians” because he was hungry.

Overall, from his time as an undergraduate student to becoming a staple of the campus community, Hirtle still feels like part of the team, no matter how his position has changed.

“In a very small way, I do feel like I'm part of the team, as far as working with all of the athletics folks. They're fantastic. Every staff member that I've worked with, all the coaches and students I've gotten to know over the years, have just been great. It really is a team effort to support the athletic teams. I think back again to the voice I knew in high school… when we heard that voice, you knew it was something different, something special. I hope that in some small way, what I do adds to the game and to the enjoyment.”