Hospital 'topping off' party planned

WASILLA -- You may not recognize his face, but if you have ever been to a sporting event at Wasilla High School, you will recognize his voice.

For seven years Paul Cossette has lent his lungs to Wasilla High School and the local prep sports community. Now fans enjoy Cossette's energy, excitement and trademark one-liners at local basketball, volleyball, hockey, football, soccer, wrestling and track events.

Cossette isn't the average high-school administrator or assistant coach who normally runs down the starting lineups and occasionally calls a game's points, touchdowns or goals in a painfully monotone manor.

Cossette, a self-proclaimed ham, puts his animated personality behind the microphone and entertains fans with his energetic calls.

It's not uncommon to hear, "And Chandice Cronk hits one from downtown Chickaloon," at a Wasilla High School girls' basketball game or, "He puts two away that aren't coming back," after a thunderous dunk.

"I come from a big family of hams, and I'm one of the bigger ones," Cossette said. "Put the mike in front of me, and let it flow."

Cossette started speaking to the crowds at sporting events as a student at St. John's College in his home state of Minnesota. Also a wrestler in college, Cossette helped out at tournaments and called matches.

"It's something I always liked playing around with," Cossette said.

He also worked for his college radio station.

Cossette listened to his calling once again after he moved to the Mat-Su area and started working as a teacher in the school district. In 1997, by happenstance, Wasilla High School needed a public address announcer for a football game and Cossette was called. That began his run with prep athletics in the Valley.

"It kind of snowballed after that," Cossette said.

He began doing a few football games, then track. Then, the Mat-Su Sinbad Sailors asked Cossette to announce their Junior B hockey games. And finally, former Wasilla High activities director Doug Bean called Cossette and asked him to announce all WHS events.

And now Cossette's voice has been heard at events of every sport the Valley has to offer.

But does he have a favorite?

"I love a Friday night in the fall, calling a football game. I grew up playing hockey, love a hard-fought game. I wrestled a lot in high school and college, it's fun to be at an event. My biggest surprise is how much I enjoy basketball," Cossette said. "Growing up in northern Minnesota, it wasn't even a thought to play basketball -- hockey is what you do. I didn't appreciate basketball until I started calling games.

"It's a big thing up here. Being a ham, I love it."

And now Cossette has one of the most recognizable voices in Alaska prep basketball. In addition to calling the Warrior hoops events, Cossette has served as the public address announcer for local region tournaments and the ASAA state tourney.

"Wasilla-Colony, Wasilla-Palmer, everyone going crazy -- I love it," Cossette said. "I love calling a state game, thousands of people there."

And even though he will be the first to admit he is loyal to WHS, simply because of the opportunities the school has provided him, Cossette said he is more than just a Warrior faithful.

"We get comments about how he's not just a homer," Wasilla assistant principal Dan Michael said. "He's really professional that way. It's really tough to do that and still have our fans want him to be our announcer."

Cossette will not hide his loyalties to WHS, supporting the athletic programs in any way possible -- lending countless hours, expecting nothing in return -- but for Cossette his loyalties go beyond the walls of WHS, extending to all the student-athletes in the community.

"I'm a Valley boy, first and foremost," Cossette said.

With his allegiance to the Valley, Cossette said it is sometimes hard to hide his emotions during the games he calls at the state football, volleyball and basketball meets.

"I got to keep myself in check, it's tough," Cossette said. "But I'm for supporting student-athletes from around the state, and putting on a show."

Following the 2004 state volleyball tourney earlier this month, Cossette said parents and players from the Service volleyball team made an effort to show their gratitude for his work during the game. He said he was honored to receive recognition from other programs around the state.

"He's great to work with, he does everything he can to be there, be at every game," Michael said.

His support of local students does not begin with his support of student athletics. Cossette is a 10-year veteran of the Valley teaching circuit and recently earned the position as assistant principal at Burchell High School.

Contact Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com