Hall of Fame Sports Broadcaster. He served as the play-by-play man on TV and radio broadcasts with the Portland Trail Blazers from the team's inception in 1970 until 1998. He acquired experience on radio during his high school years and following graduation, he enlisted with the United States Marine Corps with who he was stationed in Guam. During this period, he continued to gain skill with Armed Forces Radio. Following his discharge, he landed his first steady broadcasting job as an announcer in Louisiana, calling football games for the LSU Tigers. He relocated to Seattle, for a decade, he was the play-by-play man for the Seattle Totems of the Western Hockey League. In 1969, he moved on to the professional level and had the distinction as being part of the broadcast team with the Seattle Pilots for their only season, prior to their move to Milwaukee where they were renamed the Brewers. His career saw a major change when businessman Harry Glickman who became the proprietor of the new NBA franchise the Portland Trail Blazers hired Schonely to served as play-by-play man for both radio and television broadcasts. His association in the booth lasted 28-years of which included the Bill Walton era and Portland's capturing of the NBA Title in 1977. During his tenure, Schonely coined the familiar phrase "Rip City" whenever a Trail Blazers' player hit a jump shot. From 2000 to 2002, he served as broadcaster with the Portland Beavers who were the Minor League affiliate of the San Diego Padres. In 2003, he returned to the Trail Blazers' organization and hosted pre-game segments, as well as a return to radio. In 1999, he was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and in 2012, he was the recipient of the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame Sports Broadcaster. He served as the play-by-play man on TV and radio broadcasts with the Portland Trail Blazers from the team's inception in 1970 until 1998. He acquired experience on radio during his high school years and following graduation, he enlisted with the United States Marine Corps with who he was stationed in Guam. During this period, he continued to gain skill with Armed Forces Radio. Following his discharge, he landed his first steady broadcasting job as an announcer in Louisiana, calling football games for the LSU Tigers. He relocated to Seattle, for a decade, he was the play-by-play man for the Seattle Totems of the Western Hockey League. In 1969, he moved on to the professional level and had the distinction as being part of the broadcast team with the Seattle Pilots for their only season, prior to their move to Milwaukee where they were renamed the Brewers. His career saw a major change when businessman Harry Glickman who became the proprietor of the new NBA franchise the Portland Trail Blazers hired Schonely to served as play-by-play man for both radio and television broadcasts. His association in the booth lasted 28-years of which included the Bill Walton era and Portland's capturing of the NBA Title in 1977. During his tenure, Schonely coined the familiar phrase "Rip City" whenever a Trail Blazers' player hit a jump shot. From 2000 to 2002, he served as broadcaster with the Portland Beavers who were the Minor League affiliate of the San Diego Padres. In 2003, he returned to the Trail Blazers' organization and hosted pre-game segments, as well as a return to radio. In 1999, he was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and in 2012, he was the recipient of the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Bio by: C.S.
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