Matt “Red” Marshall’s longtime dream tobroadcast professional hockey has led him to Lubbock as the newvoice of the Cotton Kings. The 2002 SMU graduate will broadcast hisfirst game of the 64-game season on Oct. 18.
“I went to my first home game in 1986. It was anexhibition game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Detroit RedWings at Reunion Arena. I saw Wayne Gretzky for the first time, andit was then that I fell in love with the game,” Marshallsaid.
But his dream to be a broadcaster came from an accident and atape recorder. While sitting out with a leg injury, Marshalldecided to broadcast the football team’s practices.
“I broke my leg playing junior high football. While I wason the bench, I brought in a tape recorder and started goofingaround with it. [Broadcasting] became something I loved todo,” he said.
Now all he had to do was decide how to combine his love ofhockey and broadcasting, and that’s where the Dallas Starsinternship came into the picture.
“We hired Red when he was 17, and you usually don’thire high schoolers for about 100 different reasons” RalphSrangis, the Stars play-by-play announcer said. “But he waspersistent, did his homework and knew what buttons topush.”
Daryl “Razor” Reaugh, color analyst for the DallasStars, agreed.
“He gets along with people, which is a must, andhe’s bright. He both observed and served while on our show,and now he is going to be able to apply what he’s pickedup,” Reaugh said.
Marshall looks back on his Dallas Stars days with a grin and achuckle, knowing and appreciating just how much he learned. Reaughdidn’t want Marshall’s experience to be too easy.
“Razor was really tough on me. He knew I was going to be abroadcaster, so he didn’t allow my time there to bewasted,” Marshall said.
Reaugh concurs, but claims there was a purpose.
“I wanted him to learn how important it is to prepare andto be right. If he was just ‘trying’ this broadcastingthing, I probably wouldn’t have been as tough.”
Along with the Dallas Stars came unforgettable moments, as wasthe case in 1999.
“I was there in Buffalo when they won the Stanley Cup, andthe staff and I got to hang out with it [the Stanley Cup] for aday,” Marshall said.
Every player and coach alike has a special memory with the cup,and Marshall’s is no exception. “I drank champagne fromthe cup,” he said. “And I still have thecork.”
After five years with the Stars and working just under 300games, Marshall approached college graduation from SMU and begansearching for new opportunities. That opportunity came with theCentral Hockey League and the Lubbock Cotton Kings.
Marshall feels privileged to have landed the Cotton King’sbroadcasting job. “I beat out about 40 other people here inLubbock. It is very competitive at this level. Definitely not awalk in the park,” he said.
“After visiting with him, I was impressed with his passionfor hockey and broadcasting” Mark Adams, general owner andmanager of the Cotton Kings said. “The other determiningfactors were his experience with the Dallas Stars and Matt’sgreat character.”
Adams is also very impressed with Marshall’s work ethic.Marshall has worked on negotiating deals for airtime radio salespackages from the station in Lubbock that broadcast’sMarshall as he will give the pay-by-play.
“He has made a big impression on our staff; the radiosales packages have increased from last year,” Adamssaid.
Although Marshall has landed a job that has fulfilled his desireto broadcast hockey, the dream is not yet fulfilled. He has set ahigher pedestal in front of himself.
“My end goal is to work for the NHL someday. I would loveto take over for Ralph when he decides to retire.”
Strangis sees Marshall as someone with enormous potential, aprodigy with a love for the game of hockey. He believes thatMarshall’s love of the game will take him a long way.
“Red is very creative and a take charge, proactive, leadertype who I could see being the president of a hockey team someday.In about five years, he’ll be ready to take on theworld.”
Strangis also sees Marshall as someone with good talent behindthe microphone and a work ethic that will take him a long way.
“I would say look out Lubbock” Strangis said.”He’s going to do very well because makes friendseasily and has many qualities that are going to helphim.”
Marshall’s predecessor, Chris Due, left to broadcast forthe Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in June.
Due had been with the Cotton Kings since their inaugural seasonfour years ago.
“Matt does have big shoes to fill,” Adams said.”Matt has already made great strides in filling those shoeswith his hard work and enthusiasm.”
Not only that, but Adams believes Marshall has set some highexpectations for himself “Matt has lofty goals and greatdetermination to make those goals become a reality. Only time willtell, but I would not bet against him.”
Reaugh attributes Marshall’s potential not only to histalent, but his experience and college education as well.
“I’m sure the combination of his education at SMU,the Stars broadcasts and his own style ideas will comeacross.”
Marshall attributes his successful job search in part to hisbroadcast journalism degree from SMU. He explained that you can domany more things in life with a degree, as more fields will open toyou.
“People who don’t have a degree are at adisadvantage,” he said. “You learn how to deal withpeople in college. Things you learn will be invaluable to yourjob.”
Overall, Marshall looks forward to the upcoming Cotton Kingsseason.
“It’s one of those things I have alwayswanted,” he said. “It’s higher pressure, thespotlights on me, and it’s time to deliver.”
Matt Marshall’s broadcasts can be heard athttp://www.cottonkins.com/fanzone/broadcasts.asp.
