Paul Steigerwald (born August 6, 1954) is an American sportscaster, who through the 2016–17 NHL season first worked as the Pittsburgh Penguins' color commentator and then the TV play-by-play announcer on Root Sports Pittsburgh (now SportsNet Pittsburgh).
Paul Steigerwald | |
|---|---|
 Steigerwald in 2010 | |
| Born | August 6, 1954 |
| Other names | Staggy |
| Occupation | Sportscaster |
| Relatives | John Steigerwald (brother) Bill Steigerwald (brother) Danny Stag (brother) |
Minor leagues
editSteigerwald became a hockey fan growing up in Pittsburgh's South Hills. One of his neighbors was Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jack Riley, who would provide tickets for the poorly attended games. Steigerwald developed an interest in hockey and played at the club level while attending Kent State University. After graduating, Steigerwald started his broadcast career with the Johnstown Red Wings of the Eastern Hockey League.[1] WJNL, the local radio affiliate of the Johnstown Red Wings paid Steigerwald $110 a week to provide commentary for all 70 games that season.[2] The Eastern Hockey League later folded the following year.
Steigerwald was later the radio play-by-play announcer for the Altoona Curve, the AA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, from 2005 to 2007.[3]
Pittsburgh Penguins
editThe Penguins hired Steigerwald as their marketing director at age 25, and he became their TV and radio color commentator in 1985. FSN Pittsburgh (now SportsNet Pittsburgh) hired him on June 29, 2006, as its TV play-by-play announcer after it declined to renew the contract of fellow Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange, who was later hired by the team exclusively as its radio play-by-play announcer.[4][5][6] Steigerwald denied persistent rumors that he worked behind the scenes to secure Lange's dismissal.[7] On August 18, 2011, Steigerwald and color analyst Bob Errey were re-signed by Root Sports to multi-year contracts.[8] During a Penguins/Capitals game on March 19, 2013; two fans were spotted with a large picture of Steigerwald on a stick. Errey referred to the prop as "Steigy on a Stick," which became an instant viral hit with Penguins fans.[9]
On May 16, 2017, Root Sports and the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that, starting in the 2017-18 hockey season, Steigerwald would transition to the Penguins' front office in a new role with the communications and marketing department. Steve Mears replaced Steigerwald as the network's TV play-by-play broadcaster for Penguins games.[10]
Cameo
editSteigerwald appeared in the Jean-Claude Van Damme action movie Sudden Death. Playing himself alongside Mike Lange, he provided commentary for a hockey game during which Van Damme's character fought off terrorists.[11]
Personal life
editHe is the brother of fellow Pittsburgh sports media member, John Steigerwald, former Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review libertarian columnist Bill Steigerwald, and blues rock guitarist Danny Stag.
He was raised, and continues to live, in the Pittsburgh suburb Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania.[12]
References
edit- ^ "TV voice started in area » Pro » the Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA". Archived from the original on February 5, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ MASTOVICH, MIKE (May 27, 2008). "Penguins TV voice Paul Steigerwald started career with Johnstown Red Wings". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ "Paul Steigerwald". Behind the Stage Door. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ Hasch, Michael; Price, Karen (June 30, 2006). "Ladies and gentlemen, Lange has left the building". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ "Report: Penguins television announcer Lange replaced". ESPN.com. June 30, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ Smizik, Bob (August 3, 2006). "Penguins, Lange agree to 1-year deal". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ Yohe, Josh (April 2, 2020). "The man, the myth, the legend: On Paul Steigerwald's Penguins' odyssey". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Shelley (August 18, 2011). "Penguins Notebook: Steigerwald, Errey to return". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ "RECAP: A Study in Streaks. PENS WIN". The Pens Blog. March 20, 2013. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013.
- ^ Mackey, Jason (May 16, 2017). "Mears thrilled to follow Steigerwald in Penguins' broadcast booth". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ Cook, Richard (December 20, 2021). "This Week in Pittsburgh History: "Sudden Death," Shot in Pittsburgh, Opens in Theaters". Pittsburgh Magazine. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ Lois Thomson (January–February 2011). "The Voice of the Penguins". Mt. Lebanon Magazine. pp. 44–46.
