After a tragic void was left in the Colorado State radio announcer’s booth, 16-year Nuggets play-by-play voice Jerry Schemmel approached CSU officials.
“We were excited to say the least,” senior associate athletic director Gary Ozzello said. In a coup for CSU, the school landed a widely respected NBA broadcaster, and all parties came up with a deal for Schemmel to call CSU football and basketball games as well as the Nuggets’ home games.
He was named Friday to succeed Rich Bircumshaw, who succumbed to a stroke in late April at age 54.
While some basketball purists would question voluntarily moving from the Western Conference finalists to a perennial Mountain West cellar dweller in hoops, it was never an issue for Schemmel.
As the father of a 10-year-old and 16-year-old, he said the grind of NBA travel “had everything to do with it. This is the best of both worlds. I’m lucky to be able to do both.”
CSU football will take priority over conflicts with the Nuggets, while the NBA club comes before CSU hoops, except for the MWC Tournament and any future NCAA Tournaments.
Still to be decided is Schemmel’s role as coach of Metro State’s baseball team. Although the baseball season coincided with the Nuggets’ stretch run for the playoffs, Schemmel guided the Roadrunners to a 28-24 record and a playoff appearance.
“I’ll deal with it when it comes,” Schemmel said Friday from Florida, where he was watching his daughter in a volleyball tournament. Metro State assistant athletic director Ron Christian said “we’ll give him time to come up with the best strategy.”
Schemmel will also host weekly CSU coaches shows. He will also continue with selected Altitude television assignments.
His new job will create a few interesting family reunions in Mountain West play. His brother, Jeff Schemmel, is San Diego State’s athletic director.
“My brother is really excited about it,” Jerry said.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
