There has never been a more ardent supporter of high school football on Richmond area radio than Terry Sisisky.
While only missing 3 games as the voice of VCU Rams basketball in 28 years of service (1980-2008), he was a constant presence on the radio, covering Petersburg High School football and basketball, as well as coverage of countless other regular season and playoff games on stations up and down the area dial.
The 2010 season and beyond will not be the same without having Terry broadcasting the Crimson Wave, being able to listen to him on his web site.
My personal career was heavily influenced by his consistency, enthusiasm, and work ethic. I count myself so honored to have been his friend and colleague, and I will miss him greatly.
Long live the T-Man!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Honoring Coach Long
Click on the title for a link to an article by our friend David Halstead at the Herald-Progress on last Saturday night's roast to honor the retiring legendary sideline general.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Monday, June 07, 2010
Monday, December 07, 2009
Herald-Progress article on Ray Long
Click on the title for a good article featuring conversation with Ray Long regarding his decision to retire and some of the "circumstances" surrounding it.
Here's one person hoping his wish at the end of the article comes true early next September.
Here's one person hoping his wish at the end of the article comes true early next September.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A word on Ray Long.......
Coach Ray Long came to Patrick Henry from what was then Liberty Junior High School in the fall of 1982 to become head football coach. My class did the same, so I arrived as a sophomore at PH when Long took over the reins.
Those of us who grew up in Western Hanover County in the 1970s knew what Patrick Henry Football represented: very, very little. Losing seasons were the normal, 1-9 was nothing unusual. The thought of having a winning football program at PH was, at worst, laughable, at best, somewhat of a pipe dream.
Ray Long changed all that.
He (as well as the many wonderful assistants who were with him, several for most of his tenure) instilled some things in Ashland that hadn't been found previously.
--Determination
--Focus
--Pride
--Work Ethic
--Enthusiasm
He also was able to recruit kids to try out for the team who, in the past, either didn't want to or simply weren't reached out to.
Here's how the 1982-83 yearbook described Ray Long's first season as Head Football Coach:
"Triumph. Victory. Disappointment. They were all felt during Patrick Henry's most successful football season in 14 years. Coach Long's great leadership ability carried the team to a top 10 position in the district. Not only was there a turnaround statistic-wise, but there was also a turnaround in school spirit and support by Patriot fans. No longer did you find the home side bleachers clearing with the 4th quarter; anxious fans stayed to see the entire victory spectacle. The season provided everyone with a new attitude about being a Patriot."
Upon that foundation, Coach Long leaves tonight with 228 career wins, the most ever in the Central Region.
I remember "storming the field" when PH upset then Richmond powerhouse (and state ranked) Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe 3-0. I remember the picture of Coach Long holding a football high, being carried off the field by players after the season finale victory over Douglas Freeman in '82, finishing off an unheard of 7-3 Patriot campaign.
I was in the press box when PH finally beat Lee-Davis in the Tomato Bowl in 1983. The first "long trip" my Dad ever let me drive on my own after getting my driver's license was to make the journey from Beaverdam to Hopewell to watch PH in its first-ever playoff appearance against the Blue Devils in November, 1983.
And now, after having been blessed to watch almost every game over the past eight seasons from the press box as well (albeit on the "wrong" side of the field for us elder Patriot alumni--ha ha), I'm honored to say I had a very small part in bringing the story of a true legend to a community he dedicated his life to and loves so dearly.
I already see rumors online that his "retirement" may not of been of his own choosing. It's way too early to know "the whole story". If he was pushed out, shame on the current administration. Either way, Long is too much of a man to tell us what happened. He simply retired.
At the end of the 2008 season, I noted on the air that the Patriots were going into 2009 with more questions than they had had in many, many years. There were large losses to graduation, and the "heir apparent" running back and quarterback weren't obvious to us as observers and fans.
Now, with today's announcement, the number of questions surrounding 2010 and beyond far outnumber the questions of 12 months ago.
I do ask the Patrick Henry decisionmakers to be very prudent about how the program moves forward. One losing season doth not a "problem" make. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
In the meantime, I wish Coach Long happiness and great success. And if any high school in the area is looking......they'd idiots not to at least ask him. :)
Those of us who grew up in Western Hanover County in the 1970s knew what Patrick Henry Football represented: very, very little. Losing seasons were the normal, 1-9 was nothing unusual. The thought of having a winning football program at PH was, at worst, laughable, at best, somewhat of a pipe dream.
Ray Long changed all that.
He (as well as the many wonderful assistants who were with him, several for most of his tenure) instilled some things in Ashland that hadn't been found previously.
--Determination
--Focus
--Pride
--Work Ethic
--Enthusiasm
He also was able to recruit kids to try out for the team who, in the past, either didn't want to or simply weren't reached out to.
Here's how the 1982-83 yearbook described Ray Long's first season as Head Football Coach:
"Triumph. Victory. Disappointment. They were all felt during Patrick Henry's most successful football season in 14 years. Coach Long's great leadership ability carried the team to a top 10 position in the district. Not only was there a turnaround statistic-wise, but there was also a turnaround in school spirit and support by Patriot fans. No longer did you find the home side bleachers clearing with the 4th quarter; anxious fans stayed to see the entire victory spectacle. The season provided everyone with a new attitude about being a Patriot."
Upon that foundation, Coach Long leaves tonight with 228 career wins, the most ever in the Central Region.
I remember "storming the field" when PH upset then Richmond powerhouse (and state ranked) Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe 3-0. I remember the picture of Coach Long holding a football high, being carried off the field by players after the season finale victory over Douglas Freeman in '82, finishing off an unheard of 7-3 Patriot campaign.
I was in the press box when PH finally beat Lee-Davis in the Tomato Bowl in 1983. The first "long trip" my Dad ever let me drive on my own after getting my driver's license was to make the journey from Beaverdam to Hopewell to watch PH in its first-ever playoff appearance against the Blue Devils in November, 1983.
And now, after having been blessed to watch almost every game over the past eight seasons from the press box as well (albeit on the "wrong" side of the field for us elder Patriot alumni--ha ha), I'm honored to say I had a very small part in bringing the story of a true legend to a community he dedicated his life to and loves so dearly.
I already see rumors online that his "retirement" may not of been of his own choosing. It's way too early to know "the whole story". If he was pushed out, shame on the current administration. Either way, Long is too much of a man to tell us what happened. He simply retired.
At the end of the 2008 season, I noted on the air that the Patriots were going into 2009 with more questions than they had had in many, many years. There were large losses to graduation, and the "heir apparent" running back and quarterback weren't obvious to us as observers and fans.
Now, with today's announcement, the number of questions surrounding 2010 and beyond far outnumber the questions of 12 months ago.
I do ask the Patrick Henry decisionmakers to be very prudent about how the program moves forward. One losing season doth not a "problem" make. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
In the meantime, I wish Coach Long happiness and great success. And if any high school in the area is looking......they'd idiots not to at least ask him. :)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Atlee/Lee-Davis now Monday!
Atlee's fight to make the Division 5 Playoffs will now wait until Monday. The game at Lee-Davis scheduled for Friday night will now be played Monday night at a special kickoff time of 7:30pm.
The JV game between the Raiders and Confederates, scheduled for this evening, will take place Monday at 5:30 at Atlee High.
The JV game between the Raiders and Confederates, scheduled for this evening, will take place Monday at 5:30 at Atlee High.
More postponements.......
Clover Hill, a shoo-in for the D5 Playoffs, will now play Henrico on Monday at 7pm.
Add this to the rescheduling of:
Hermitage/Patrick Henry to Monday at 6pm
JR Tucker/Deep Run to Monday at 7pm.
Add this to the rescheduling of:
Hermitage/Patrick Henry to Monday at 6pm
JR Tucker/Deep Run to Monday at 7pm.
Patrick Henry/Hermitage Football Postponed to Monday
Senior Night has been moved to Monday, 11/16. The Hermitage/Patrick Henry varsity football game will begin at 6pm.
Tonight's JV game between the two schools has been cancelled.
The Colonial District game between J.R. Tucker and Deep Run is postponed until Monday at 7pm at Deep Run.
Tonight's JV game between the two schools has been cancelled.
The Colonial District game between J.R. Tucker and Deep Run is postponed until Monday at 7pm at Deep Run.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Homecoming Friday Night!!
Patrick Henry's 50th Homecoming Celebration Weekend is here!
The Patriots look to win on Homecoming night versus Douglas Freeman. Join us at the field and bring your radio to listen to our coverage on WHAN (1430) beginning just after the 6:30pm news.
See you there!!
The Patriots look to win on Homecoming night versus Douglas Freeman. Join us at the field and bring your radio to listen to our coverage on WHAN (1430) beginning just after the 6:30pm news.
See you there!!
Friday, October 09, 2009
Patrick Henry on the air Saturday at 5pm!!
WHAN will provide delayed coverage of Patrick Henry's game against John Marshall at 5pm tomorrow (Saturday, 10/10).
Here's the football schedule for WHAN this weekend:
NOW (345pm, Friday): Woodberry Forest at Collegiate in a battle of unbeatens!
Saturday 10/10 at 12:30pm, Randolph Macon at Frostburg State, LIVE!
SATURDAY 10/10 at 5pm, Patrick Henry at John Marshall (delayed broadcast)
So, come cheer on the Patriots at John Marshall at 1pm, then listen to the game at 5!
Have a great football weekend, everyone!
Here's the football schedule for WHAN this weekend:
NOW (345pm, Friday): Woodberry Forest at Collegiate in a battle of unbeatens!
Saturday 10/10 at 12:30pm, Randolph Macon at Frostburg State, LIVE!
SATURDAY 10/10 at 5pm, Patrick Henry at John Marshall (delayed broadcast)
So, come cheer on the Patriots at John Marshall at 1pm, then listen to the game at 5!
Have a great football weekend, everyone!
Saturday, October 03, 2009
PH WINS, 59-12, over Thomas Jefferson
The Patriots break out with a huge 45 point first half to slay offensive frustrations and lead PH to their first win of the year. Click on the title above for all the details.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Some Week 4 Finals.......
Highland Springs 13, Hanover 7
Hermitage 20, Deep Run 14 in OT
Matoaca 46, Prince George 0
Thomas Dale 34, Petersburg 14
Still waiting to hear on PH/TJ......
Hermitage 20, Deep Run 14 in OT
Matoaca 46, Prince George 0
Thomas Dale 34, Petersburg 14
Still waiting to hear on PH/TJ......
Off the air tonight..........
Very sorry to report we have had to cancel our broadcast tonight of the Patrick Henry/Thomas Jefferson game due to my illness. I'd much rather broadcast football than throw up and ache, that's for sure!
I'm following two broadcasts online right now and suggest you do the same! Always like to support my friends:
Gary Hess at sportsradio910.com is at the Deep Run/Hermitage game (Hermitage just took the lead)
Terry Sisisky at amen820.com is at the Thomas Dale/Petersburg game (Dale leads 14-0).
We'll be back, promise!!!
I'm following two broadcasts online right now and suggest you do the same! Always like to support my friends:
Gary Hess at sportsradio910.com is at the Deep Run/Hermitage game (Hermitage just took the lead)
Terry Sisisky at amen820.com is at the Thomas Dale/Petersburg game (Dale leads 14-0).
We'll be back, promise!!!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
NEW DigitalSports.com Top 10 High School Football Poll
Click on the title link to see the Top 10, and congrats to Atlee and Lee-Davis for cracking the poll!!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Lee-Davis Wins 50th Tomato Bowl
Click on the title of this entry to read the thoughts of Lee Davis Head Coach Jason Meade on the fourth down resilency of the Confederates and how it was key in winning their first Tomato Bowl since 2004.
The win "returns the favor", spoiling the Patriots' 50th Anniversary Celebration, just as Patrick Henry did one year earlier at Lee Davis' 50th, winning in Mechanicsville, 14-13.
This marks Patrick Henry's first 0-3 start in 20 years and the first time since Hanover High opened in 2003 that the Patriots lost to all three county school rivals in the same season.
The win "returns the favor", spoiling the Patriots' 50th Anniversary Celebration, just as Patrick Henry did one year earlier at Lee Davis' 50th, winning in Mechanicsville, 14-13.
This marks Patrick Henry's first 0-3 start in 20 years and the first time since Hanover High opened in 2003 that the Patriots lost to all three county school rivals in the same season.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Tomato Bowl Preview---Times-Dispatch
Click on the title for today's article from the Richmond Times-Dispatch on tonight's Tomato Bowl!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Colonial District Poll Results
Hermitage
31 votes / 25.41 %
Deep Run
9 votes / 7.38 %
Patrick Henry
16 votes / 13.11 %
Douglas Freeman
0 votes / 0 %
Mills Godwin
13 votes / 10.66 %
John Marshall
2 votes / 1.64 %
J.R. Tucker
35 votes / 28.69 %
Thomas Jefferson
16 votes / 13.11 %
Other
0 votes / 0 %
31 votes / 25.41 %
Deep Run
9 votes / 7.38 %
Patrick Henry
16 votes / 13.11 %
Douglas Freeman
0 votes / 0 %
Mills Godwin
13 votes / 10.66 %
John Marshall
2 votes / 1.64 %
J.R. Tucker
35 votes / 28.69 %
Thomas Jefferson
16 votes / 13.11 %
Other
0 votes / 0 %
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