Allegany Campers Football: BIG BLUE NEWS

TOUCHDOOOWWWN ALLEGANY...

No More! 

If you ever attended an Allegany High School football game within the past 30 years or better yet, ever tuned into WCBC Radio during that time to listen to Campers football, then you definitely know the VOICE.

It is with humble respect that the Big Blue Review has to report that the radio voice of the Allegany Campers, Tom O’Rourke has passed away Monday morning.

Who was Tom O’Rourke?  If you never met the guy, you still knew him.  You knew him just because of his voice and demeanor on the radio.  Other than my years of football at Allegany, (1968-1971), Tom has been “the man” in the booth for not only Allegany, but all high school football, basketball…college and high school and of course the Alhambra Catholic Invitational each and every year since who knows when.

One of the most fair sports reporters I have ever known, Tom called it like it was.  If you goofed, he said it.  If you made a great play, he raved about it.  He never…ever downed a kid for any play or action on the air or off for that matter.  Tom was always quick to point out how the teams were playing…good or bad, for better or worse.  Tom’s best attribute was that he was a class act from the first day you met him until the very end.

As the football announcer for the Allegany Campers, Tom was my mentor.  He gave me some guidance on occasion on how to be prepared for games and how to use my voice deflection on occasions to get the points across.  I use some of his techniques during the games and have even borrowed his famous, “Toooochdoooooowwwn Allegany” during the games.

However, having said the previous, I have come to believe that I might have been the cause of some of his heart ailments due to a slip of the tongue during my first year at the microphone. 

It was an Allegany JV game vs. Southern Garrett.  It was a close game with Allegany driving the ball toward the school at Greenway.  The Campers were flagged for a penalty and the referee threw his flag to signify the penalty.  Now…keep in mind, Tom O’Rourke and Mr. Aydelotte were also in the stands during this game.  Tom watching the game as was Dave whose son played for the Campers that season.

Well, as the referee’s flag flew and being the “on top of things announcer” that I was, I immediately called the flag that the referee threw on the play.  However, as the referee threw the flag, I got a little tongue tied and gleefully announced that there was “A FAG ON THE PLAY”!

If you have ever been in a situation where you say something that you regret, this was it.  I knew I said it immediately and looked up from the microphone to notice that there was about 1,000 sets of eyes all looking at me in the booth with astonishment that I had said those terrible words. Well, as I said before, both O’Rourke and Aydelotte were in the stands that evening.  As I looked out of the booth and saw Tom sitting on the top set of seats just outside of the booth, poor Tom was rolling around in his seat laughing so hard and trying to get his breath due to my vocal slip.  His face was so red and his boisterous deep voice resonated all over the stands.  As I looked down stands, so too was Mr. Aydelotte rolling in his seat with laughter of my slang call of the important penalty flag.

Now all of that was bad enough, but both of them had to talk about it on the radio air the following Monday morning to all of Cumberland.  That was my initiation into the announcing field that taught me a valuable lesson as to “watch what you say and concentrate on you pronunciation.  Anyway, with Tom laughing so hard, I am sure I had something to do with his heart problems as he strained to gain his composure after this “foolish error.”

I have known Tom O’Rourke for going on 22 years.  He was always the gentleman and constantly told me of my web site and how good it was with the stats, stories and the history of the Allegany Campers.  I sincerely appreciated that as well.

In another story, my son Scott was injured in Iraq during his first tour of duty.  Dave and Tom wanted to interview him as the hometown boy who was serving his country.  If you didn’t know, Tom was also a Marine and he and my son just hit it off right off the bat.  Scott was so nervous about the interview; however, Tom put him at ease with his demeanor and humor. 

My son on that day became a Tom O’Rourke groupie, as he never forgot that day and now with his passing, is taking the loss very hard.  But, that was Tom O’Rourke!  He never met a person he didn’t like or even if he didn’t, you would never know of it.How will we ever replace Tom O’Rourke?  The answer quite simply is…WE NEVER WILL! 

Tom was a class act, a great family man and for me, a great mentor that taught me some of his art and trade and most of all…became my cherished friend for life.

I am sure that I speak for the Camper Nation is saying a heartfelt goodbye to not only the radio voice of the Campers, but a friend to all he met and a man we will never forget.  The Big Blue Review sincerely wishes the best for Tom’s wife and family in their time of loss. 

There will be others to replace him…but there will

NEVER BE ANOTHER TOM O’ROURKE.

The Big Blue Review would like to take this time to say CONGRATULATIONS to the Allegany Girls Softball team who are the reigning Maryland State Softball Champions for 2010.

This dedicated bunch of ladies brought home the second Maryland State Softball Championship in Camper history.  They followed in the footsteps of the great 1999/2000 girls team that won the first title.

This poster is what thier State Championship rings look like.

These young ladies bring home the reason that Allegany High School is known as; "THE HOME OF CHAMPIONS!"

Again, congratulations girls on you accomplishment.  The BIG BLUE NATION is proud of you and thank you for all your great efforts.