Unmistakable Voice Of HPU Athletics Enters 12th Season
By Jack Danilewicz
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The clean and crisp delivery of Hawaii Pacific University play-by-play announcer Chuck Miske is unmistakable and easily recognizable. One of the bright additions to the local broadcasting field back in 1998, the Waikele resident is entering his 12th season of doing HPU baseball games, when the Sea Warriors’ season gets under way at the end of the month.
Miske also does HPU volleyball and softball games regularly, and will broadcast the school’s men’s and women’s basketball game versus Dominican University Wednesday night on KUMU (5:30 and 7:30 p.m. over AM 1500). While Miske’s charm may be his ability to call a game without being the story himself, MidWeek decided to make him the story. An American history teacher at Waianae High School during the day, Miske took some time away from his busy schedule last week for an interview.
What’s your earliest sports-related memory? There are a lot of them, but for me it was when I got my first uniform before the season started and put it on before we’d played any games to see what it looked like. It’s something I’ll always remember.
What influenced you to become a broadcaster? It kind of just evolved for me. I didn’t just play sports - it is what I used to eat and breathe. I used to come home from a game or practice and watch SportsCenter right away. I wanted to stay close to sports.
When you want to relax, how do you spend your time? I try to spend time with my wife (Kyung) and daughter (Kaia). Our daughter is 1, so there’s not much we can do. We like to take her to the park. She makes me laugh no matter what she does.”(Note: The Miskes suffered an irreplaceable loss in 2008 when 3-month-old son Colton passed away.)
What is your most memorable broadcast to date? It was the (Division II) National Championship game (in 2000) when HPU won it (over Augustana , S.D. ). It was in Sioux Falls, and it was a great experience being there.
I’d seen snow before (on the ground), but I’d never seen it falling before.
What’s your favorite place to take in a post-game meal?
Whatever is cheap and whatever is close. I don’t have a ritual or anything. Hopefully, there’s a couple of cocktails involved.
Who were your sports heroes growing up? Probably Charles Barkley, who was my favorite basketball player, and Dale Murphy of the Atlanta Braves, who was my favorite baseball player. They were guys I looked up to as a kid.
What do you remember of your first broadcast back in 1993? How did it come off? I was as a color commentator for an HPU baseball game with Kanoa Leahey. I remember being really nervous, but it allowed me to be close to it. That was a start. I decided then that this was something I wanted to do.”
What Web site do you frequent the most? Facebook. A lot of my friends are on there. It’s a way to stay in touch, constantly. I am on there quite often.
What movie could you watch over and over again? Gladiator. I like the story, although it is not the first time it’s been told. Revenge is not necessarily a good thing, but there is some redemption in the end.
What is currently in your iPod? I don’t have an iPod. I’ve never had one. I like most music in general - rock, R&B, Hawaiian, rap.
Please finish this sentence - “the best book I’ve ever read is ...”Probably a sports-related one ... Who’s Afraid Of A Large Black Man? by Charles Barkley.
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