In the heart of the greatest bastion of major league sports (New England), John has been lucky enough to work as a professional sports announcer in the region for the last 18 years. Today he announces charity hockey games for the Boston Bruins Alumni, U.S. Olympic Alumni Hockey Teams (for both men and women) and the Boston Hockey Legends. He is recognized as one of the premiere "show" hockey announcers in North America, having called over 500 games (including three historic intercontinental Friendship Cup series between the Gazprom Export Hockey Team, Team USA and Team Canada). He served as the host for Brad Park'sBe A Bruin cable televsion series in 2006.
Horrigan also announces charity basketball, softball and flag football games for the New England Patriots Alumni, which is a team comprised of both retired and current players. Since 1994 he has worked with players from all 6 of New England's Super Bowls. John has also worked with alumni members of the New York Giants.
He has called over 500 football games in his career and spent 18 seasons in the Eastern Football League with the Randolph Oilers.
John called the historic Moscow Giants / Marlboro Shamrocks exhibition game in 1990 (after which some Soviet players defected to the United States), the transcontinental minor league football championship game in Canada (just after a moderate earthquake) between the Randolph Oilers and the Ottawa Bootleggers and the Minor League Football Alliance Championship between the Marlboro Shamrocks and the Racine Raiders. He called the Bridgewater Gladiators inaugural game in 2009. Shockingly, Horrigan has 30 career penalty yards as a football announcer due to his sound effect antics in the late 1980's.
John recently retired after 25 years of calling Thanksgiving Day high school football games for the Dedham/Norwood rivalry and more recently for the Medfied/Dover-Sherborn rivalry.
Horrigan produced and announced the 1995 NCAA Fencing Championship at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts and later turned it into a cable television series entitled En Garde.
John was a pit reporter on the auto racing cable television series Speedway Heat from 1994 through 1997 and later called seven Arthritis Foundation Mini Grand Prix races from 2000 - 2006.
With a friend and 3-Time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots.
3-Time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots, signs a football for me at the Patriots 2008 Training Camp.
With New England Patriot Wide Receiver and NFL Record Holder (23 Touchdown Receptions in one season) Randy Moss in 2009.
Getting a ball signed by 2-Time Super Bowl Champion and New England Patriots' Nose Tackle Vince Wilfork at the 2008 Training Camp.
With the New England Patriots' Patrick Chung and Darius Butler. The two defensive backs were selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft.
With New England Patriot Hall of Famer and all-time leading Wide Receiver and Punt Returner Troy Brown in 2009.
With New England star linebacker and 2008 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jerod Mayo in 2009.
With New England Patriot defensive back Brandon Meriweather. Nice off of the gridiron, but nasty on it.
With New England Patriots' Kicker (named to the 2008 Pro Bowl) and NFL Record Holder (74 PATs in 2007) Stephen Gostkowksi in 2009.
With New England Patriots' Guard (Pro Bowl 2007) Logan Mankins in 2009.
With 4-time Super Bowl (and 3-time Champion) New England Patriot Running Back Kevin Faulk - "Mr. Third Down" at a charity basketball game in 2009.
With New England Patriots: Cornerback and NFL Kick-off Return record holder (108 yds) Ellis Hobbs (now with the Philadelphia Eagles) and Running Back Laurence Maroney.
With versatile Center/Guard/Tackle/Special Teams/Tight End/Fullback Russ Hochstein, who spent seven seasons with the New England Patriots before being traded to the Denver Broncos. "Hoax" is a great guy.
With Joe Andruzzi, formerly of the New England Patriots. Joe won three Super Bowl rings with New England.
With two former New England Patriots: Steve King (who played ten years with the club and is a great friend) and "The Lanemaker" Max Lane (another great guy) who played in Super Bowl XXXI. When Max plays hockey, the comedy level is high.
With New England Patriots' Linebacker Pierre Woods in 2009.
With Ray Clayborn, 15-year outstanding cornerback and kick returner, formerly of the New England Patriots
With Larry Izzo of the New England Patriots. He was great to work with while he was with the Patriots. He once gave me backstage passes for his "Larry-oke" karaoke show. He's now with the New York Jets.
With 10-year veteran New England Patriot Running Back Sammy Morris.
Wide Receiver Greg Lewis joined the New England Patriots in 2009 after 7 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. He now plays for Minnesota.
With New England Patriots (left to right) Ray Ventrone, Kevin Faulk, Pierre Woods, Steve Gostkowski, Antwain Spann, Russ Hochstein and Ellis Hobbs before a season-opening basketball game in Haverhill in 2009.
With Leigh Bodden, cornerback who joined the Patriots in 2009 after playing 6 seasons in Detroit and Cleveland.
With Super Bowl Champion and radio/tv personality Linebacker Steve DeOssie in 2009
With New England Patriots lineman Nick Kaczur and former defensive end (who played in Super Bowl XX) Garin Veris.
With New England Patriot veteran linebacker and Super Bowl champion Eric Alexander in 2009.
With New England Patriots quarterback Kevin O'Connell at a charity basketball game in 2009. O'Connell now plays for the New York Jets.
With Former New England Patriot Offensive Lineman Wesley Britt in 2009.
At a New England Patriots' Exhibition game in September of 2009. I love the pre-season games as I get to say farewell to some of the players that I worked with in the off-season.
With former versatile New England Patriot Defensive Back/Special Teams/Running Back/Wide Receiver Ray Ventrone in 2009.
The National Anthem is played at the 2009 Kevin Faulk Celebrity Softball Classic at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton, Mass. A light crowd due to the weather. Red Team (from third base to home): Gostkowski, Hochstein, A.Thomas, Mayo, Wilfork, Faulk, Maroney, Aiken, Ventrone, Britt, Gutierrez, Green-Ellis, Spann, Meriweather, Wilhite. Blue Team (home to first base): Morris, Nash, O'Connell, Sanders, Alexander, Bruschi (with his kids), D.Thomas, Woods, Guyton, Neal, Kaczur, Banta-Cain, K.Smith
At the New England Patriots' celebrity basketball game at Newton North High School on April 16th, 2009, I named the inept scorekeeper as the Player of the Game. Due to his inability to pay attention, perform simple arithmetic and inadvertent point shaving, he was Newton's high scorer with 22 points.
With two-time World Series Champion Boston Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein.
With All Star catcher/captain and two-time World Series Champion Jason Varitek at his annual mini golf fundraiser in 2009.
With All Star pitcher and two-time World Series Champion Jason Varitek at 'Jason Varitek's Celebrity Putt Putt' in 2009. "Josh, mind if I get a photo with you?" "Sure, man". As we waited for the girl to figure out how to take a photo (not rocket science) Josh turned to sign another ball.....
7 years later (almost to the day), again, with the "Spaceman" Bill Lee of Boston Red Sox Alumni in 2009 at the annual Peabody Police Jimmy Fund Baseball Game.
With 3-time All Star Boston Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay at the '2009 Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt Putt'.
With Boston Red Sox first baseman Casey Kotchman at the '2009 Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt Putt'.
With former Boston Red Sox 3B/SS Rico Petrocelli, who played in two World Series: 1967 and 1975 and the 1969 All Star Game.
With 3-time World Series star lefthanded pitcher John Tudor and World Series Champion third baseman Mike Pagliarulo
With former Boston Red Sox pitcher Dennis 'Oil Can' Boyd at the 2009 Peabody Police Labor Day Jimmy Fund Baseball Game.
With former Boston Red Sox pitchers (and native sons of Massachusetts) Brian Rose (l) and Kenny Ryan (r) at the 2009 Peabody Police Labor Day Jimmy Fund Baseball Game.
Posing with the Boston Red Sox 2004 and 2007 World Series Championship Trophies and the Boston Celtics 2008 NBA Championship Trophy in January of 2009 at my brother's Hot Stove Cool Music event.
Sitting with the bronze statue of Boston Celtics legendary head coach Red Auerbach at Faneuil Hall in Boston.
With Boston Celtics legend Bob Cousy at the 2009 Boston Celtics Shamrock Golf Classic. I got a 'Tommy Point' that night.
With Boston Celtics legend Tommy Heinsohn at the 2009 Boston Celtics Shamrock Golf Classic. I got a 'Tommy Point' that night.
With Boston Celtics star power forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis at the 2009 Boston Celtics Shamrock Golf Classic.
With former Boston Celtics point guard and 3-point shootout champion (hence the twin flash of '3') Dana Barros at the 2009 Boston Celtics Shamrock Golf Classic.
With the Boston Bruins' legendary right winger Terry O'Reilly in 2009.
With former Boston Bruins (and now sports announcers) Andy Brickley (TV) and Bob Beers (Radio).
With Boston Bruins Vice President and 16-year veteran defenseman Don Sweeney in 2004.
A photo that I took during the 2006 Freedom Cup between the Boston Bruins Almuni and the Team USA Alumni of Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli and Vice President Don Sweeney.
With Boston Bruin All Star centerman Marc Savard in 2009.
With Boston Bruin power forward and pugilist Milan Lucic in 2009.
With Boston Bruin right winger Michael Ryder in 2009.
With Boston Bruins former coach and captain (whose number 24 has been retired by the Boston Bruins) Terry "Taz" O'Reilly. Terry is a legend who epitomizes what the Boston Bruins are all about - hustle, heart and soul. I remember talking to him on a bus ride about economical and political matters and thinking that I was conversing with a college professor (and not a former NHL gunfighter). O'Reilly would take on anyone in the National Hockey League during his playing days, but only if the terms were with honor and valor. He never jumped anyone. He always gave the other guy an even chance to fight him, even though Terry would eventually kick his ass. Behind us is super sports marketing agent and outstanding goaltender Cleon Daskalakis. Cleon has been so good to me over the years and has helped my career out substantially (since 1993!). He is a spectacular goaltender and all around athlete who really understands what "show hockey" is all about. He reminds me of the great showman "Rainbow" (of the Harlem Rockets, Harlem Hoopsters and Court Jesters) who is mentioned later on this page. They both "get it" in regard to what sports entertainment should be.
This is one of my prized autographed photos. Legendary official Paul Stewart is ready to go with Bruins' captain Terry 'Taz' O'Reilly. Stewart took on three Bruin heavyweights that night (and lost all 3 battles): O'Reilly, Stan Jonathan and Al Secord. It was a homecoming for the kid from Jamaica Plain and it was a testimony to his willingness to take on three of the toughest guys in the league.
With Boston Bruins All-Star Right Winger and former captain (whose number 16 really should be retired by the Boston Bruins - C'mon Charlie, Pete and Donny) Rick "Nifty" Middleton. Nifty is my new boss as President of the Boston Bruins Alumni.
Along with me and my fat face is two-time Stanley Cup finalist, former president of the Boston Bruins Alumni and currently Director of Development for the Boston Bruins FoundationBob Sweeney. "Swoop" has really helped out my broadcast career and he is a great event coordinator. He's brought alot of goodwill back to the organization.
With one of the toughest Boston Bruin players ever: Left Winger Jay Miller. He has some awesome stories from his days as Wayne Gretzky's 'bodyguard'.
With five-time Stanley Cup Finalist (and 1970 Stanley Cup Champion) defenseman Gary Doak. Another guy who has done alot for my career. I swear I'm up to nearly 300 charity games with "Sammy".
With the Boston Bruins Alumni (I'm in the back row standing, 5th from the left) at the second annual Maine Mariners' Alumni Hockey Game at Cumberland County Civic Center in 2009. I'm in the third row, fifth from the left.
With 13-year veteran centerman (and former Boston Bruins coach) Steve Kasper, who won the Selke Award in 1982.
With Bruce Crowder, former Boston Bruin Right Winger and standout college coach at Northeastern University.
With five-time Stanley Cup Finalist, two-time Stanley Cup Champion and legendary penalty killer Don Marcotte. Current Boston Bruins Alumni president Rick Middleton is to my left.
With Boston Bruin and San Jose Shark Left Winger John Carter who poses as Flavor Flav at the 2008 Nantucket Police Hockey Game Party at the Fairgrounds Restaurant. One of the funniest guys I've ever met.
With former Boston Bruin Tom Songin. I've known "Bomber" for 18 years now. He's a great guy and did a good job with a small role in the Farrelly Brothers' movie "Stuck On You".
Boston Bruins Alumni vs. Nantucket Police All Stars; 2003 - 2008 (2007 photo). I'm front row, sixth from right or left.
Boston Bruins Alumni vs. Nantucket Police All Stars; 2003 - 2008 (2008 photo). I'm front row, fourth from right.
Boston Hockey Legends team caricature, 2001 season. I'm in the back row on the right holding a microphone.
With goaltender Bobby Farrelly. I only know the guy as a hell of a goaltender who has played some great games both against us and for us. He's made some really unbelievable stops while under siege. They tell me that together with his brother Peter he has produced, written and directed some great films.
With former Boston Bruins star right winger Rick Middleton, goaltender/film producer/writer/director Bobby Farrelly, former NHL sniper (320 career goals) Tony McKegney and former Boston Bruin defenseman and pugilist "Shoe" (Bruce Shoebottom). Shoe is another great "show hockey" player who understands sports entertainment. I've done 200 games with him. A great friend as well.
With the Boston Bruins Alumni and the "Vermont Green Mountain Boys" in Woodstock, Vermont in 2009. I'm front row, first from left.
With the Boston Bruins Alumni and the Riley Rink All Stars in Manchester, Vermont in 2009. I'm front row, first from left.
With the Mad Fisherman, television star Charlie Moore in 2009.
With longtime friend and co-host, the 'Mayor of Mantown', Greg "Hillman" Hill of Boston radio station WAAF at the 2009 'Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt Putt'.
With Sayeed Abdul-Muntaqim ("Rainbow") of the Court Jesters, the greatest show basketball player in the world. Photo from 2009.
With Sayeed Abdul-Muntaqim ("Rainbow") of the Court Jesters, the greatest show basketball player in the world. Photo from 2005.
With Sayeed Abdul-Muntaqim ("Rainbow") of the Court Jesters, the greatest show basketball player in the world. I've seen 'em all over the span of 17 years and 700 comedy basketball games, and this guy is the very best. Photo from 2003.
With "Jammin'" Jay Griffin, Malloy "The Future" Naismith, "Dancin'" Shane Woney and "Fabulous" Scott Coleman of the Harlem Rockets in The Bahamas (Nassau) in 1996
With "The Wiz" Derek Murphy and Sayeed Abdul-Muntaqim ("Rainbow") of the Harlem Rockets in St. Eustatius in 1996
With Andy Eckman (now owner and president of the Court Jesters Comedy Basketball Team), Tony "Airwalker" Yates, "Jammin'" Jay Griffin and Duane "Drive" Woolridge on the island of Saba in 1996
With Baseball Hall of Fame President and friend Jeff Idelson. I'm lobbying to put Ray Bourque (who is in the Hockey Hall of Fame) into the BBHOF. Jeff has brought the Hall into the 21st century and has made it into one of America's greatest museums.
Peter Nash, formerly of the rap group "3rd Bass" (like me, a member of SABR) is an expert on early 20th century baseball and has recreated a turn-of-the-century bar in Boston ("Third Base") that currently resides in Boston. He produced a documentary that included my brother's song Tessie.
I am an avid 19th century baseball researcher, statistician and computer game designer. I am also an avid professional hockey, basketball and football researcher, statistician and computer game designer. I have been told that I have a photographic memory, but I can't remember who said it.
Shooting the breeze with Paul Jones, Mark Quigley and Peter Nash, formerly of the rap group "3rd Bass" (like me, a member of SABR). This photo was taken in 2005 at Pete's "Third Base" turn-of-the-century replica bar in Cooperstown, NY. It was later moved to McGreevy's Pub in Boston.
Presenting an autographed football to Peter Nash that features signatures of players from all six of the New England Patriots' Super Bowls
Pete Rose is not in Baseball's Hall of Fame, but the bat he used to break Ty Cobb's all-time hit total of 4,191 sure as hell is.
With my brother Jeff holding Hall of Fame outfielder Ted Williams' bat that he used to hit .406 in 1941.
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The booth at Memorial Field in Randloph, Massachusetts where I spent 17 years as an announcer for the Randolph Oilers of the Eastern Football League.
A contrived smile for what I thought would be my final game (after 17 seasons) in the Eastern Football League for the Randolph Oilers. I later came out of retirement for one game for the expansion team Bridgewater Gladiators' inaugural game.
In the booth at Bridgewater-Raynham High School prior to the inaugural game for the Bridgewater Gladiators of the Eastern Football League. I had retired from the EFL in 2006, but came out for this one special game in 2009.
Big Hair, Bad Attitude - just prior to kick-off of an Eastern Football League game in Marlboro, Mass. in 1991.
The program for the three Thursday nights in October of 1996 when I called over 60 professional boxing matches. Someone told me that it is probably a Guiness World Record. I'm not sure, but Micky Ward and Peter McNeeley were on that fight card.
ESTIMATED GAMES BROADCASTED (pro and amateur): 3300
BUSIEST DAY: June 9, 1995 - I gave a lecture in the morning, announced a New England Patriot's alumni softball game in the afternoon and went on stage in a lead role ("Run For Your Wife") that evening. I have also called four hockey games within 48 hours and three football games within 24 hours. With the Harlem Rockets we played three games on three South Atlantic islands in one day. In all of the events that I've broadcasted, I've served as producer and statistician. Many times reporters request my statistics as the official game record. On September 14th-16th, 2001 I announced five Harlem Rockets basketball games in 4 states in 48 hours. On September 21st-23rd, 2001 I announced a football, basketball, hockey and softball game within 48 hours. On April 21st, 2007, I had a lecture on the Great Brant Rock Fire in Marshfield, MA at 2:00 PM, I announced a New England Patriots' Celebrity Basketball game in Fiskedale, MA at 7:30 and went on the air with Spooky Southcoast Radio from Dover Massachusetts at 10:00 PM. One more - on Saturday, February 15th, 1986, I announced three separate high school hockey games at three separate arenas for three separate local cable access television productions in Massachusetts: 1:00 face-off at Ryan Arena in Watertown, 5:00 face-off at West Suburban Arena in Natick and 8:00 face-off at Babson Arena in Wellesley.
TODAY: I work as the Boston Bruins Alumni hockey public address announcer and as a public address announcer for the New England Patriots Alumni basketball, flag football and softball games. I also work with other alumni of other pro organizations (MLB, NHL, NFL and NBA alumni, U.S. Olympians) as their public address announcer for hockey, football, basketball, comedy basketball, baseball and softball events. I currently work as an itinerant public address announcer for the Court Jesters Comedy Basketball team. Comedy basketball has allowed me to travel extensively. With the Harlem Rockets, Court Jesters and Harlem Hoopsters, I have travelled all over America, the Middle East and the Carribean including Kuwait, Curacao, Seba, St. Martin and St. Eustatius. At ball games I coordinate the introduction of the event, broadcast the game, keep statistics, run the scoreboard and play music and organ blasts to give it the "pro ballgame" effect. My apologies if it sounds arrogant and please excuse my frankness, but I truly believe that I've no peers in this industry. I am the best at what I do. I have worked at my craft very hard and travelled hundreds of thousands of miles to games around the globe and worked at my craft. I invented "show hockey" announcing, culled from my extensive training as a comedy basketball and show basketball announcer. I would be a great match for the N.B.A., N.F.L., M.L.B. or N.H.L. given my ability to manipulate my vocal inflection, annunciation, resonance, timbre and cadence.
