MORAGA, Calif. - A familiar voice is returning to McKeon Pavilion for the upcoming men's basketball season.

The Saint Mary's athletic department announced that longtime public address announcer Dick Callahan will return to his familiar courtside seat and describe Gaels men's basketball games, as he did beginning 37 years ago.

"I'm delighted to return to the place where it all began for me in 1975," said Callahan. "The Gaels are my longest announcing affiliation with more than 30 years.  I spent 19 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, 11 years with the University of California football team and just completed my ninth year with the Oakland Athletics.

"Saint Mary's has always been a special place for me.  I am most proud of my 1998 Alumni Association Honorary Alumnus Award and my two-term seat on the Board of Regents.  I have enormous respect for Coach Bennett and the Gaels basketball program.  I look forward to returning to McKeon Pavilion."

In 1978, Callahan served as the public address announcer for the final game at Madigan Gym (an overtime win over Portland State and high-scoring guard Freeman Williams, who scored 48 points in that game).  Three days later, on Jan. 21, he officially introduced the program into McKeon Pavilion for the first-ever game in the facility against Stanford.

"We are really thrilled that Dick will be returning to serve as our public address announcer," said athletic director Mark Orr.  "He has contributed to the Saint Mary's community in so many positive ways and our basketball fans will certainly be excited to hear his voice when they come to McKeon Pavilion." 

The unofficial start to the Saint Mary's basketball season begins Saturday, Oct. 20 with a pair of basketball-related events.  At 9 a.m., the team will participate in a Blue-White Intra-squad Scrimmage that is open to the public.  That evening, the annual Tipoff Dinner takes place at Blackhawk Auto Museum.  Tickets are available by clicking here.

The Gaels open the season on Saturday, Nov. 10 with a non-conference game against Sonoma State.  A variety of season ticket packages are available by clicking here or by calling the SMC Athletic Ticket Office at (925) 631-GoTx (4689).  Tickets to non-conference games go on sale Monday, Oct. 22 to the general public.