Lifelong Vikings fan named public address announcer at U.S. Bank Stadium

Alan Roach, a Minnesota native and lifelong Vikings fan who has been the public address voice of eight Super Bowls and numerous other high-profile events, was announced Monday as the P.A. announcer at the new U.S. Bank Stadium.

In an interview with Vikings.com, Roach said, "I'm just thrilled to do this. It's the coolest thing I'm about to ever do."

Lest we downplay the significance of the in-stadium voice for a team, let's remember the likes of Bob Casey (famous with the Twins for more than four decades) or Jules Perlt and Dick Jonckowski (longtime PA announcers for Gophers basketball). The right voice can set a certain mood and tone.

Roach has a classic deep and smooth voice, which — when combined with a love for the Vikings he says extends back into early childhood — should play well at the new stadium.

Roach was the longtime public address announcer of the Broncos, and on his personal web site he thanked Denver fans while also saying the Vikings job was the "opportunity of a lifetime."

You can read more about Roach here, as well as listen to a video compilation of his previous work.