Now you can see the voice

June 5, 2023 Andy Furman

Jay Rokeach. Photo courtesy of Jay Rokeach

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His voice is recognizable all-over South Florida. Now we can see him.

Jay Rokeach, a member of the very first graduating class at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School (1968) has just completed his, gulp, 55th season as Public Address announcer for the baseball team at the University of Miami (Fla.).

And last week, his photo was etched forever on a baseball card.

“I was surprised, very surprised to say the least,” Rokeach told the Eagle from Florida. “Every season the Miami baseball team gives away a set of baseball cards, with every player and every coach.”

This year they included the man who has been behind the microphone as PA voice at Miami’s Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

“When those cards were given to the fans last week,” Rokeach said, “all of a sudden people were coming up to the press box window with a sharpie – wanting an

autograph.

“I was touched, to say the least.”

Normally thousands of baseball card-sets are made, according to Rokeach. “This year only some 500 sets, and they were all given out,” he said.

“When I posted my card on Facebook,” he said, “I got some 500 likes. In fact, I only have two cards for myself.”

Not to worry – the University of Miami honored Rokeach after his 40th, 45th and 50th seasons behind the microphone.

And when the baseball season started in February, he was surprised with his own personal Jayro microphone.

“I have to thank a lifetime friend – Rick Remmert – the Associate Athletic Director at the University of Miami for Alumni Relations,” he said, “He’s been so very nice to me all these years.”

All these years for Rokeach started as basketball team manager for coach Len Schroder at FDR High School.

And that’s where he grabbed his first microphone.

As team manager – and announcer for the then FDR Navigators – today they are the Cougars – Rokeach got his taste not only for sports – but being the centerpiece of sporting events.

Next stop – the University of Miami.

As a freshman he approached then Hurricanes’ basketball coach, Rod Godfrey.

“I asked if he could use an extra student assistant,” Rokeach said. “It was a quick no thank-you.”

But Miami’s basketball loss turned into baseball’s gain for Rokeach.

“I introduced myself to Hall of Fame coach Ron Fraser, and asked if he needed some student help,” Rokeach said. Fraser replied, “When can you start?”

Jay Rokeach baseball card. Photo courtesy of Jay Rokeach

In less than an hour, Rokeach found himself washing University of Miami baseball uniforms – and later during his freshman year, he was handling PA duties.

He’s done football, basketball and baseball games for the South Florida school.

“I’ve been lucky, really lucky,” he said.

He’s been behind the microphone for five national championships in football; and has called 58 consecutive home football wins – an NCAA record set September 3, 1994.

Add to that list four collegiate national titles in baseball.

When major league baseball arrived in South Florida – 1993 – Rokeach was there. “My goal,” he said, “was to be the first PA announcer for the then Florida Marlins.”

He was – and had a five-year run as their stadium voice through their championship season of 1997 when they defeated the Cleveland Indians in the World Series.

Oh, there’s more.

He’s been the PA voice for Florida International University (basketball, men’s soccer and volleyball), Barry University and Johnson and Wales (basketball).

Throw in the press box announcer for the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and a stint with the NHL’s Florida Panthers, Jay Rokeach is truly the Mouth of the South.

OK – at least South Florida.

And, at the University of Miami, people had to wait 55 years to get a good look at him – on a baseball card.

Andy Furman is a Fox Sports Radio national talk show host. Previously, he was a scholastic sports columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He may be reached at: [email protected] Twitter: @AndyFurmanFSR