Bellingham Blazers Jr “A” Hockey Team
Northern Pacific Hockey League
Delta Islanders JR “A” Lacrosse Team
BC Jr Lacrosse League
Saints Basketball
Orcas Christian School Saints Basketball
Viking Athletics
Orcas Island High School Viking
Football, Basketball,Soccer and Softball
2013 Northern Pacific Hockey League Champions
Listen to the:
Bellingham Blazer Radio Show
Hosted by Merrick Parnell
http://bhamblazers.podomatic.com/
Parnell Blazers PA Announcer
(Article from http://www.pointstreaksites.com/view/norpac/norpac-news/news_58386)
by Lin McNulty, Orcas Issues Reporter
Graduating from Orcas Christian School in 2008, Merrick Parnell knew he wanted a job in the field of sports. He had been a fan of sportscasters such as Dave Niehaus, the voice of Seattle Mariners from 1977 until his death in 2011, and of Bob Sheppard who continued to announce games for the New York Yankees well into his 90s.
Parnell is excited to be the Public Address Announcer for a new ice hockey team, The Bellingham Blazers, part of an amateur league for players 16-20. When he heard they were looking for an announcer, he almost drove off the road, called them, and sent a resumé.
His first experience announcing a ball game was with the Orcas Middle School girl’s basketball team. He had found his purpose in life!
The task of a PA Announcer is to inform and entertain the fans, and to keep them involved in what’s happening— or just happened—on the field. Although the PA Announcer does not provide commentary, he needs to be constantly alert and aware of the action. Parnell adds his own signature touch, of course, and has recently been incorporating a scoring summary of the teams in his schtick.
With the Bellingham Blazers, he is thrilled to be able to display his bias toward the “home” team. He gets to take sides and exuberantly convey that bias to the fans in the stands.
In his off time, Parnell attends Whatcom College as a Communications major, and he is still the on-field voice of the Vikings at home games. And he does a stint as the Teen Night Program Director at the Funhouse-Commons, where he oversees the referee program for Youth Soccer and acts as liaison with the high school and middle school.
When asked, he says his favorite sport is hockey, and then he adds in lacrosse (which has enjoyed a 100% grown in Washington State in the last ten years) and the pageantry of boxing. His dream is to announce for a major East Coast hockey team, which will fit nicely, he says, with his other goal of becoming a school principal.
And, then, just once, he would like to don a tuxedo and announce a boxing match!
Parnell’s mantra befits his chosen profession: The greatest source of happiness is celebrating the success of others.
Bryce Kenning
Bellingham Blazer Forward
The Bellingham Blazers home games wouldn’t have been nearly as exciting without Merrick’s booming voice over the loud speaker. As a first year team in the community there are going to be some special people that step up and make a lasting impact on the organization and Merrick was one of those people. He dedicated time during the prime weekend hours and all through the week with interviews and putting together the hockey show. It was always exciting to get a goal and hear Merrick announce it to send the crowd into a cheering frenzy. He always had a big smile and you can tell he loves what he does, which is probably why he is so good at it.
Endorsement from Dan Austin
General Manager/Owner
Billings Outlaws 2005&2006
I am pleased to offer this unconditional endorsement for Merrick Parnell. This young man was part of our “road crew” for broadcasting Professional Indoor Football games. He provided nonstop color commentary of fast paced professional games, including a Conference Championship game.
Every once in a great while you meet someone that was born to something special… this is Merrick hands down! Merrick has a passion and a aptitude for all sports second to none. He takes the time to get the “backstory” on players both sides of the ball.
It is with no hesitation I strongly recommend Merrick to anyone so fortunate as to secure him for broadcast services.
Regards,
Dan Austin
General Manager/Owner
Billings Outlaws 2005&2006
Endorsement from Matt Benoit
Former Editor and Chief of the Whatcom Horizon Newspaper
Bellingham, Washington
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to personally recommend Merrick Parnell for employment in your organization.
As a former editor-in-chief for the Horizon, the Whatcom Community College student newspaper, Merrick served as one of my reporters on the paper’s staff during winter quarter 2011. I found him to be a responsible and dedicated worker who was also a pleasure to be around.
During my time on staff with Merrick, he always carried out his stories and other tasks in a timely and professional manner, and also took his own photos. Merrick was exceptional in his communication with myself and other staff members, contributing great ideas during staff discussions regarding the online and print versions of the publication.
He was always enthusiastic about working on the paper, and I also enjoyed his passionate interest in sports, local history and radio.
In summary, I highly recommend him for employment. He is someone who will not let you down.
Sincerely,
Matt Benoit
Former Editor-in-Chief, Horizon
Merrick Parnell
In Studio as the Sports Anchor at KMRE Radio
Tommy Benizio
Indoor Football League Commissioner
