Catching up With: Greg Katz

Barry Faulkner

Just like long-distance sharpshooters Reggie Miller, Steve Kerr and

Jason Kapono, good things have come in threes for Greg Katz.

The men’s basketball public address announcer the last 16 seasons at

UC Irvine, Katz, 51, has parlayed a passion for sports into a courtside

seat on some of the biggest athletic stages. His 28-year announcing

career includes several NCAA tournament games, the last nine National

Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star Games, held annually as part

of the activities at the Final Four, as well as the 1996 Rose Bowl.

“Some people are sports fans their entire life and I’m one of them,”

Katz said. “What makes me different is that I’ve been able to do three

things I’ve always wanted to do. The first is teaching (English and

literature at Century High in Santa Ana), the second is coaching (an

assistant to boys basketball coach Ed Matillo at Buena Park High) and the

third is announcing. I love academia, I really enjoy being able to teach

and learn the game as a coach, and this announcing stuff has allowed me

to participate in some events I’ve always enjoyed.”

What’s more, the Irvine resident has become identified among Orange

County basketball fans for one of the signature phrases he uses to

describe a three-pointer.

“Growing up in Alhambra, I was a fan of public address announcers like

the great John Ramsey (Rams, Dodgers and Angels), and Don Sawyer, the

voice of Pauley Pavilion,” said Katz, who graduated from Alhambra High

and Long Beach State. “But, in developing my own style, one of my own

creations was that when someone made a three-pointer, I’d say

‘Three-point basket by (player’s name), three-point basket.’ Most people

identify me with that particular phrase.”

Katz said he’ll hear imitations of his “three-point basket” delivery

from passersby at the supermarket. He was introduced at a UCI game this

year to an 8-year-old boy, who, his dad revealed, did impressions of

Katz’s announcing at the dinner table.

“I asked the boy how the imitation went,” Katz recalled, “and he said,

‘Three-point basket.’ ”

Katz said he has overheard his trademark recitation -- punctuated with

a rhythmic enunciation in Katz’ distinctive tone -- at pickup games in

Irvine and at various Orange County gyms.

“I think it’s funny,” Katz said.

In recent years, at the request of some folks at UCI, Katz has rolled

his tongue on the first threeeeeeee-point basket, a concession he gladly

makes to the nationwide trend toward more public-address flair.

Katz said the recent success of the Anteaters men’s program, which he

attributes to Coach Pat Douglass and decorated guard Jerry Green, has

helped add excitement to the atmosphere at the Bren Events Center.

“It was a very exciting season,” Katz said of the Anteaters

unprecedented march toward a second 20-win campaign, which included the

co-championship of the Big West Conference and the school’s fourth trip

to the National Invitation Tournament. “The team played well and the fans

were great. It sure made the environment a lot more fun in the arena. I

even heard a lot of people talking about UCI at the Final Four.

“When there are 5,000 people at the Bren, it’s UCI against Utah State,

it’s easy to sound good as the public address announcer,” Katz said.

Katz, whose schedule at its winter peak can include basketball games

six nights a week (coaching and/or announcing), said his roundball

rapture shows no signs of fading.

“For some people, this may be a passing fancy, but for me, it’s a way

of life,” Katz said. “When basketball comes, my wife knows it’s

announcing season. When I’m coaching, it’s a lot of positive stress. But

when I’m announcing, it’s more like fan enjoyment. I still very much

enjoy the game.”

Katz’s 32-year coaching career, which has included stints at Edison,

Santa Ana and Century before Buena Park, has also been very rewarding.

One of his former Buena Park players, Matt Okoro, was a sophomore

part-time starter this past season at UCI.

Katz also volunteers his vocal chords annually as the PA announcer for

the Orange County All-Star Football Game, as well as the county boys and

girls all-star basketball games.

“Whether I’m at the Final Four or at the Orange County All-Star Game,

it makes no difference to me,” he said. “Basketball is basketball and I

enjoy it at all levels.”

Katz also enjoys spending time with his family, which includes wife

Meg, son Greg Jr., 16, and daughter Kim, 14.