pic: Best Emcee Ever?

[dsmoker]

I'm a northeast gal, so my vote's got to go for Jack Kentfield (aka Jack in the Hat) and Andy Grady. Both knowledgeable, fun and high energy.

[Rosiebotboss]

I have to agree with dsmoker....Jack in the Hat Kentfield is right up there with the best of them. He is a BIG presence on the field, whatever field that is, FLL, FTC or FRC. The powers that be need to get him back on an FRC field.

[dag0620]

I was reading this and was starting to wonder when any of our Northeast guys were going to be mentioned!

Jack Kentfield is by far my favorite MC. Maybe it's cause he does our off-season, but he's just like a local legend up here, and the show and enthusiasm he has, it's second to none. We're gonna miss you at CT Jack!

Also gotta throw my support behind Andy Grady as well. He is both a fantastic MC and Game Announcer, and is one of the few people I've seen who can really do a great job at both roles.

[Jack Jones]

If you want to find the best MC, just look toward Einstein.

[Kris Verdeyen]

Depends. Emceeing the finals and the quals are two different beasts.

For the Quals: Blair. He has a talent in making intros interesting when, by all rights, they ought not be. I saw him bring a two year old out to help with the introductions once. It should not have worked, but it did.

For the Finals: Dave Verbrugge. The dude has the memory of an elephant. If they let him actually just run Einstein like it was a competition, instead of a pageant, it'd blow your mind.

For Awards: Blair. Pleasing Baritone.

[Carolyn_Grace]

Originally Posted by Kris Verdeyen

For the Finals: Dave Verbrugge. The dude has the memory of an elephant. If they let him actually just run Einstein like it was a competition, instead of a pageant, it'd blow your mind.

Like he does at the Michigan State Championship event? Anyone who wants to see Dave at his finest should come to MSC! The stories that he tells from past years, and the history of the accomplishments of the teams that are there give goosebumps to the entire crowd. I've never seen a massive crowd of high school students go as silent and pay as close attention as when Dave Verbrugge is out there for Opening Ceremonies. It is pretty much my favorite part of the State Champs.

[BrendanB]

Dave, Blair, and Andy they are THE best in when it comes to FIRST emcees between knowledge, energy, and awesomeness!

[Aiyash]

Dave Verbrugge is by far the best MC. There's a reason why he ALWAYS does the MSC and Einstein.

As far as play by play, Tom Nader is the best. Hands down. I love that man!

[wendymom]

I'm sure everyone thinks their MC is the best, so I have to speak up for the team of Dan Richardson and George Wallace. They MC the Orlando Regional and will be working the new South Florida Regional as well.

They both started in FIRST in high school and have been involved either as a student or mentor for most of Florida's 10 years as a regional.

Dan can spout the history of just about any Florida team and knows all the connections between teams. It is so much fun listening to him tell the stories of all the teams during eliminations.

[Conor Ryan]

2006 Boston Regional, may have had some of the greatest antics ever to be at an FRC event. However, highly credible sources say Hawaii puts on one hell of a show.

When Blair pulled this off nobody expected it.

Blair gets my vote, cause lots of people can do the story telling part, but not many have the balls for this (even if it is half a poof ball strapped to your head).

[waialua359]

Play by play game announcer-Dan Green!
I pushed to have him come to Hawaii this year, but with no luck......YET.
MC-Mark and Blair.
However, for those that remember Mark during his younger days, no one had more energy and crazy antics than him for sure!

[Lil' Lavery]

I'm a little disappointed that this is all the same names that would have been raised 5 years ago (minus Paul "Copioil"). If you subtract the Karthik and Barry references, 10 years ago as well. FIRST has had on and off pushes for keeping the MCs in older hands, but I'm kinda hoping for one of the younger/newer generation of MCs to make a name for themselves. Unfortunately, I haven't seen one do it yet. Not that their performances are bad, just none of them have stepped to that next level yet and really created their own personality.

Also, I'm completely unsurprised by the "name your regional's MC" trend in the thread. Though the lack of respect for Jeff Seaton is surprising.

[ThirteenOfTwo]

Originally Posted by Conor Ryan

2006 Boston Regional, may have had some of the greatest antics ever to be at an FRC event. However, highly credible sources say Hawaii puts on one hell of a show.

The 2010 Hawaii Regional ceremonies were absolutely insane. If I remember right, they featured...

--aerial dancers above the field
--fire dancing on the field
--the DJ in drag joining a local dance crew in a rendition of "Thriller"
--Mark Leon's judo rolls

[Barry Bonzack]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

I'm a little disappointed that this is all the same names that would have been raised 5 years ago (minus Paul "Copioil"). If you subtract the Karthik and Barry references, 10 years ago as well.

I wouldn't be disappointed by this, statistically it should be expected. FIRST sends their best and most experienced Emcee's and Game Announcers to rookie regionals, so there is a much higher percentage of audiences that get to see Blair and Mark in Action, which is a good thing!

Blair is awesome. My first year emceeing was in 2007, and I did Florida as well as Kansas City for its rookie regional year. I was trained by blair, and that regional happened to land on St. Patrick's Day, and he emceed the entire day dressed as a leprechaun.

Originally Posted by wendymom

Dan can spout the history of just about any Florida team and knows all the connections between teams. It is so much fun listening to him tell the stories of all the teams during eliminations.

Of all emcee's I've worked with, no one is more enjoyable than Dan. His history lessons of the teams in the Florida finals are fantastic, and his high energy introductions are crowd pleasers, but nothing beats his sense of humor.
+1 for "Rand Dichardson"


I have a nomination for who we all really want as an Emcee... Morgan Freeman. He already attends the Championship event. Let him emcee just one match, it will be legendary, make it happen.

[Koko Ed]

II know it was his FIRST regional but Dan who worked at Montreal was REALLY impressive. I truly hope to see him come to championships. He was alot of fun!