As my senior year spirals down to a close, I began to think about all of the inspirational people that have walked the halls of Loyola Academy. One name immediately came to mind, the legendary Pat Foley. I decided to write a letter asking him for an interview. A week passed and I received an email from Mr. Foley asking when we could do the interview. I responded with a few options and awaited his reply. A few weeks passed and my phone rang with an unknown number. Not knowing what to expect, I reluctantly answered the phone. To my surprise, I recognized a familiar voice, it was Pat Foley. For those of you who are not familiar with Mr. Foley, he is known for being the voice of the Chicago Blackhawks. He is an alumni of Loyola Academy and a member of the Loyola Hall of Fame. Graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in Telecommunications, he pursued his childhood dream of becoming a broadcaster. He had recently been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and has been a part of the Blackhawks organization for the past 32 years. Needless to say, to me he is one of the most inspirational alumni of Loyola Academy.
What inspired you to work as a broadcaster?
"Well I got lucky when I was about 10 years old my dad took me to a Cubs game and we got to sit in the radio booth with Jack Quinlan and Lou Boudreau and I was a really young kid. It was a beautiful day at Wrigley Field and I was sitting next to these guys that are calling the game on WGN radio and I was just out of my mind. I fell in love with the whole thing and that was the day the seed got planted. I was very lucky that I had a focus all through high school and college pointing toward one thing. I wanted to be a broadcaster."
What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
"Being able to be the voice of the Blackhawks for these 32 years and counting. When I started with this idea of being a sportscaster I always wanted to do a big league team in a big league to town and I wound up working at home. I mean this is…more than a million to one shot. I got lucky and got a break and stayed at home the entire time and I'm pretty proud of that."
Who was your hero growing up?
"My dad is my hero. He is a terrific role model and I always wanted to be more like him. He is very humble, gracious, and honorable man. Anyone who is ever dealt with him loved him. He is actually also a graduate of Loyola Academy."
Of your 32 seasons with the Hawks what was your favorite season?
"My favorite season was 1991. We went to the Stanley Cup finals. The reason that was my favorite was that I got to do all of the games. Back then I did simulcast, so I was on the radio and the TV at the same time. Even if the network took away the game on television I would do the radio. So I did every game. But you know now, I do the first round of the playoffs then I'm done. Then the network takes over. So when the Hawks win the Stanley Cup, I don't get to call it but I certainly get to enjoy it."
When you're not broadcasting with the team during the playoffs, do you travel with them or do you stay at home?
"I usually stay at home, until the finals. The team has invited me to go with them. I've done that it's very cool of them to do, they certainly don't have to but they say 'you're part of us and we want you coming and we have a spot for you on the plane.' So they have been great with that and I appreciate them thinking of me."
Your chemistry with Mr. Eddie Olczyk is very noticeable and admirable when you're on the air together. Was it always like that since you started working together?
“Yeah. I mean, I was pretty well into it. I've known him since he was 18 years old when the Hawks drafted him. I was doing the game then and he came in as a rookie. So I've known him for a long time. He is a great broadcaster and a terrific friend and we both look at the game and want to be informative and describe what's happening. He is a real good teacher on the air but we also know that part of what we do is to have fun this is the entertainment business. We like each other and like to laugh and some of that squeaks and when were on the air."
Congratulations on the awards you have received. Where do you keep them?
"They're just kind of laying around the house. This plaque from the Hall of Fame is just here on the kitchen table and the Emmys are just sitting around the house. I don't know what to do with them. I don't make a big deal about them. It's nice to be recognized,but it's no big deal. "
Did you do any sports at Loyola?
"I did. I played football as a freshman and I played basketball for the last three years. Well, I shouldn't say played… I should say I was on the team. That's about the extent of it. We had a decent team in those days. They put me in the Loyola Hall of Fame and I've got to be one of the only benchwarmers to be inducted."
How were your overall years at Loyola?
"I had a great time. It was an all boys school. There definitely wouldn't have been a girl calling me to interview for the paper. It’s very cool and awesome the girls are there now."
Where did you go to grade school?
"I went to OLPH. Many people know sister Paulanne and she taught me and she is a wonderful person."
Who would be The one person you would like to spend the day with?
“This new pope. This guy seems like a great guy. He's unbelievable. I'm a Catholic and this guy has definitely got something going for him."
What is your favorite snack and beverage?
" Well I love Snickers bars. My favorite beverage, well if it's unfortunate or fortunate... I like beer."
Who is your favorite band?
"I'd have to say Tragically Hip. A couple of them are friends of mine. They’re Canadian band and a lot of hockey people like them a lot. It's a really good rock 'n roll band."
Where is your favorite place to eat in Chicago?
"Tuffano's. I eat it plenty of fancy restaurants, but there's nothing like walking into a place that has the menu on the chalkboard. I love that place."
Looking back on your experience from transitioning from high school to college, is there any advice you can give us seniors on this new chapter in our lives?
"First thing I would say is right now you don't have to know what you're going to do with your life to make a living. But you better be thinking about it. It's never too early to be thinking about how you're going to make a living. To me, the key to life is finding something that you're passionate about and find a way to get paid to do it. To me, it's better to make less money doing something you love than making more money and not look forward to going to work every day. You have to work for things you like and can get paid to do. That's the key to life in my opinion. College was some of the best years of my life and I'm a lucky guy and I've had a lot of happy and great years in my life. You just have to find a way to figure it out. My experience at Michigan State University was frustrating in the beginning and traumatic at times, but hey, that's part of growing up and we all have to deal with it."
I am very grateful to Mr. Foley for making this an enjoyable and fun interview. He is a very modest, humble, and kind man who is a pleasure to talk to. I hope this interview gives some insight to one of the most influential individuals that have graduated from Loyola Academy. Go Hawks!
