Ryan Wooley as featured in Downtown Newsmagazine

Story: Susan Peck Photo: Laurie Tennent

The Detroit Tigers are the first MLB team to earn 50 wins this season, and professional DJ and announcer Ryan Wooley is adding his magic up in the booth inside Comerica Park while living out his childhood dream.

As the secondary public address announcer for the Tigers, his new job this season is responsible for providing colorful player introductions and creating variety in game presentations. ”It’s an ambition I’ve had since I was a kid, standing in front of the mirror practicing for hours to get this right, and I have to pinch myself now that I’m actually doing it,” said the 40-year-old Wooley. “Trying out for the position was a lot of stress but I knew I had a good chance when one of the judges said they got chills during my audition.”

No stranger to energizing a crowd, he got his start as the backyard announcer for wrestling matches his neighborhood friends held when they were young. He then went on to the DJ booth at a roller skating rink in Westland, Michigan, before branching out and taking his show on the road for weddings, graduation parties, corporate events and more. His entertainment company, Mammoth Entertainment, has been packing dance floors at special events for over 10 years with professional DJ services.

Wooley is also a pro on the broadcast microphone, as he is a former local radio sportscaster for both 97.1 “The Ticket” and WWJ Newsradio 950, and handles play-by-play for Eastern Michigan University’s men's and women's basketball, as well as volleyball on ESPN+.“I know it sounds cliché, but I really believe you are a sum of all of your parts, and I have worked so hard at learning every aspect of my craft and put in the hours so I think it has all paid off,” said Wooley, who studied electronic media at Eastern Michigan University. The broadcaster, with nearly two decades in both sports radio and television, has been awarded "Best Sportscast" six times by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, and four times by the Associated Press.

Wooley may earn the title of 'hardest working broadcaster in metro Detroit,' working in so many facets of the business, and says he wouldn’t have it any other way. “My wife and I have worked out schedules so that I can pursue my dreams and so can she, and we still have a work-life balance for our family that is our number one priority,’ said the father of three. His latest project is a sports show for Bloomfield Community Television (BCTV) that he writes, produces, edits and anchors.

’We cover local events like 'Duel in the D,' the charity hockey game between U of M and Michigan State,” he said. “I’m also very excited about the Sports Broadcasting Camp we are running at BCTV August 11-14 and 18-20, for area residents to learn hands-on experience to cover live sports – something never offered before,” he said

Getting to his “office” at Comerica Park – the same booth broadcast giant Ernie Harwell worked in, is still surreal for Wooley. “Other than things like my marriage and the birth of my children, the biggest thrill in life was when my family heard my first announcements broadcast at the Tigers game. I still put everything I have into each game, just like I did in my original audition.”

Wooley said he’s keeping an eye out for another broadcasting job now that it’s been stated the WNBA will be returning back to Detroit in 2029 with an expansion team.

”I would absolutely love to be a part of that organization if I’m given the chance.” https://www.downtownpublications.com/single-post/ryan-wooley link to original story