Gene Honda
Eugene "Gene" Honda is a popular public address announcer for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks, DePaul Blue Demons basketball, Big Ten Tournament, Illinois Fighting Illini football, and the NCAA Final Four. He is also a constant voice on Chicago's PBS station WTTW Channel 11, the Big Ten Network, and the Chicago Marathon. He formerly worked for radio station WLAK in Chicago. Honda was the PA announcer for the 2009 NHL Winter Classic on January 1 at Wrigley Field. Also, Honda was the PA announcer for the 2012 Frozen Four at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Honda is the only person in the world to have announced at the MLB World Series, MLB All Star Game, NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, NCAA Final Four, NCAA Frozen Four and a World Marathon Major.
Gene graduated from Chicago's Senn High School in 1972.
Honda attended the University of Illinois, graduating in 1978. He is a member of Triangle Fraternity.
Honda appeared briefly in the 1990 film Opportunity Knocks as Mr. Nimoku.
Gene Honda also is a teacher for the After School Matters Sports Broadcasting program at Curie High School for the past 10 years.
On October 11, 2008, Honda was inducted into the Illini Media Alumni Hall of Fame.
Honda made an appearance in Ron Howard's film The Dilemma, starring Vince Vaughn and Kevin James, as himself.
Honda is perhaps the only public address announcer to have his own talking bobble head. He is shown sitting at a desk with a microphone in front of him. A part of the proceeds from sales of the item are donated to media education programs at his alma mater, the University of Illinois.
