Dick Jonckowski
2024 Honorary Member
Shakopee, MN
Shakopee, MN
There is perhaps nobody with a more recognizable voice in Minnesota sports history annals than Dick Jonckowski. Over the past 60 years, Dick has seen and broadcasted some of the greatest amateur and professional sports moments in this state’s history and has endeared himself to generations of sports fans.
Born in Fargo, North Dakota, Dick moved with his family multiple times growing up, graduating from New Prague High School in 1961, where he played baseball and basketball. He also played amateur baseball for New Prague from 1959-1964, and over the years, he coached Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Legion baseball. Dick was a member of the Jaycees and is also active at St. Joachim and Anne Catholic Church in Shakopee.
After obtaining a degree in broadcasting from Brown Institute in Minneapolis in 1964, Dick moved to Wisconsin for his first job in sports radio, returning to Shakopee in 1966 as the sports director, DJ and salesman at KSMM. Dick hosted the popular radio show The Coaches Roundtable for 38 years.
Dick was the voice of University of Minnesota basketball for 31 years, U of M baseball for 30 years and Gopher football for ten years. He has also been a public address announcer for state high school baseball, softball and basketball tournaments, been a ringside announcer for the AWA, and even announced a Harlem Globetrotters game. Dick had the honor of announcing the first game ever played at Target Field between the Minnesota Gophers and Louisiana Tech in 2010. He has also been the announcer for various high school, college and semi-pro leagues, including Shakopee amateur baseball for many years.
Since 1965, Dick has emceed over 1,500 events, including many charity events, and has emceed the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame banquet for over 40 years.
His autobiography, “It’s All About Me,” co-written with Jim Bruton, chronicles countless engagements and encounters with sports celebrities over his illustrious career. He has an expansive sports museum in his home and is a walking sports encyclopedia. His signature kazoo rendition of Take Me Out to the Ballgame is a timeless classic.
Dick has entertained thousands of people across the U.S. and Canada, with an unparalleled sense of humor, positive outlook, and in-depth knowledge of professional sports and the great players who make them memorable.
Dick and his wife Arlene have been married for 58 years and have two children, Jennifer (Matt) and Jeff (Brenda).
Born in Fargo, North Dakota, Dick moved with his family multiple times growing up, graduating from New Prague High School in 1961, where he played baseball and basketball. He also played amateur baseball for New Prague from 1959-1964, and over the years, he coached Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Legion baseball. Dick was a member of the Jaycees and is also active at St. Joachim and Anne Catholic Church in Shakopee.
After obtaining a degree in broadcasting from Brown Institute in Minneapolis in 1964, Dick moved to Wisconsin for his first job in sports radio, returning to Shakopee in 1966 as the sports director, DJ and salesman at KSMM. Dick hosted the popular radio show The Coaches Roundtable for 38 years.
Dick was the voice of University of Minnesota basketball for 31 years, U of M baseball for 30 years and Gopher football for ten years. He has also been a public address announcer for state high school baseball, softball and basketball tournaments, been a ringside announcer for the AWA, and even announced a Harlem Globetrotters game. Dick had the honor of announcing the first game ever played at Target Field between the Minnesota Gophers and Louisiana Tech in 2010. He has also been the announcer for various high school, college and semi-pro leagues, including Shakopee amateur baseball for many years.
Since 1965, Dick has emceed over 1,500 events, including many charity events, and has emceed the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame banquet for over 40 years.
His autobiography, “It’s All About Me,” co-written with Jim Bruton, chronicles countless engagements and encounters with sports celebrities over his illustrious career. He has an expansive sports museum in his home and is a walking sports encyclopedia. His signature kazoo rendition of Take Me Out to the Ballgame is a timeless classic.
Dick has entertained thousands of people across the U.S. and Canada, with an unparalleled sense of humor, positive outlook, and in-depth knowledge of professional sports and the great players who make them memorable.
Dick and his wife Arlene have been married for 58 years and have two children, Jennifer (Matt) and Jeff (Brenda).