Thanks for the memories: Women's Bball p-b-p announcer Ray C

[SMUfan2121]

With the 2009-10 season coming to an end, it also means the end of my tenure as play-by-play announcer for SMU women’s basketball. My departure is both happy and sad. Happy, because I will be spending more time with my first true love, soccer. I’m currently coaching two youth club teams and I have also been elevated to director of player development. This job requires a great deal of time and that’s why it was hard for me to make road games at the end of the season.

For 17 years, the SMU job has been a huge part of my life. I took every basket, foul, win and defeat to heart. A quick history of SMU women’s basketball radio: We started on 93.5 FM KIKT out of Greenville , TX . The signal was weak, but owners of the station assured us that the power would be increased so it would reach Dallas . That never happened! However, I do remember many people saying the only way to hear the game was to go out in the car, or drive around and listen. Over the next six years or so, we were on 660 AM KSKY. That was a great relationship, but by the end of the 90’s we moved over to 95.3 FM KHYI. For several years we were on 1630 AM before moving to our current home 770 AM KAAM.

I’d like to thank all the people who’ve worked with me as color analysts: Ron Jenkins (he helped me start women’s basketball radio and deserves a lot of credit) Lon Sosh, Alexa Devine, Tammy Szafranski, Sarah Davis and Sam Erwin. Credit should also be given to former SMU SID Ed Wiesnewski. He had the foresight to say, the women’s basketball team needs radio and at that time most schools didn’t have radio broadcasts for every game. I’d also like to thank the administration of SMU who believed in me for 17 years that I was the person who should be the voice of their women’s basketball program. I also want to thank the SID’s who had to put up with me over the years: Ed, Brad Sutton, Claire Schmidt, Charlie Green, Steve [deleted], and Travis Chamblee. (hope I haven’t forgotten anyone) I’d also like to thank all the players of the program over the past 17 years that treated me like a part of the team.

I would be folish, If I didn't mention several people I also consider friends. Director of Basketball Operations Alllison Singleton who over the past couple of years has kept me organized about what's happening with the team, Ben Kantor who when he got there, it was just great to have another guy around. Ben also was a huge help on the Pony Tale videos we did a couple of years ago. Kelli Clay, the trainer, is awesome! Not only is she a friend, but may have saved my toe in Cancun! Thanks Kelli and Margaret Kovac, who's been around the program as long as I have. Margaret, has done so much for me! between travel and putting up with me in general! Also, assistant coach Danny Hughes. I havent known him long, but consider him a friend and a good fit for the program. Hope, I havent forgotten anyone!!

The people I’ll miss the most are the coaches who are not only my co-workers, but I consider my friends. For 17 years me, Rhonda, Lisa and Deneen (well, she got there couple years after me, but who’s counting) have shared some great basketball moments at home and on the road. Traveling to the places we’ve have really helps you get to know a person and I love these ladies and will always cherish our friendship and the memories we’ve experienced. The best part was the coaches treated me like a part of the team and I really appreciated that!! I can’t forget two friends who are no longer here; Karen Blair and Jon Newlee, I saw Karen come to SMU as an 18-year-old kid and watched her grow into a great point guard and an outstanding coach. I miss Karen, but know she will be a head coach someday. As for Jon, he was only here a few years during my tenure, but was a close friend and Jon and I continue to exchange emails till this day and he and I share a great story about almost getting killed in Fresno, Ca (that stories for another day if you haven’t heard it). I also want to thank all the great parents of the players. I got to know some of you well and had some great moments on the road with you!

Most of all, I want to thank you, the fans, for being so kind to me over my 17 year career at SMU. The positive feedback from you truly humbled me and I will miss that relationship.

I wish the women’s basketball program all the success in the coming years and although I won’t be doing radio, I will now become a fan and will see all of you at Moody. Thanks again…I’m GONE, GONE, GONE!

Ray Canevari

[Junior]

best of luck

[couch 'em]

Long, quality run

[SMUfan2121]

I knew I'd forget someone! Just remembered that I forgot Ira Terrell as one of my color analysts. Ira was by my side for many games including March 1999 when the Mustangs dismantled, then #5, Colorado State for the WAC tournament championship. Ahhh Good times!!!

Ray C

[MrMustang1965]

Hey, Ray! Don't be a stranger on www.ponyfans.com! Thanks for all of your hard work over the years!

[smu diamond m]

Great tenure man. I hope the next guy is good too