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Chris Connelly has called Marblehead High School football games since the fall of 1989. What finally pulled him out of the booth were two 2-year-old granddaughters, one in Marblehead and one in Los Angeles.
Connelly, a Marblehead resident, will retire at the end of this season after 37 years as the voice of Magicians football on MHTV, Marblehead's community television station, the station announced Oct. 21. He is also giving up the microphone for boys basketball and baseball. Earlier in his run, he spent several years announcing girls basketball and softball games.
Knock on the door
Jon Caswell started at MHTV in May 1989. That summer, Connelly showed up and offered to announce games for free, making him Caswell's first volunteer hire. Caswell, now the station's programming manager and producer of "MHS Sports on MHTV," said the station "will miss him in the booth."
The years since included lean seasons and the Magicians' 2021 Super Bowl win at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which Connelly and his crew broadcast.
"He's seen the highs and lows of MHS football, but has always stayed positive with his commentary and kept his focus on the kids," Caswell said.
The players were not the only ones who left an impression on Connelly.
"One thing I've learned is that the coaches at the high school level are some of the best people I've ever met," he said.
Partner in the press box
Almost 15 years ago, Connelly brought longtime friend and fellow Marblehead resident Gordon Vincent into the press box as his game analyst. Connelly calls Vincent "a singular talent."
"Chris brings an element of professionalism and class to every broadcast," Vincent said. "He has been such an integral part of MHTV Sports for so long it is going to be hard to imagine watching an MHS football game without his voice."
Connelly's final regular-season broadcast is the Magicians' home game against Masconomet on Friday, Oct. 30. If Marblehead hosts any tournament games, he will stay on the call through those as well.
Past Magicians games are archived on the YouTube page of Marblehead Community Access and Media, the nonprofit that runs MHTV.
Connelly credited Caswell, Jess Burton and former executive director Joan Goloboy for making his 37 years possible.
"I thank them," he said.
Goloboy was at the station that first summer and called Connelly an exemplary sportscaster.
"We were so lucky the day Chris Connelly knocked on MHTV's door!" she said.
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