Gopher Basketball
Grimm joins the Gopher family after spending the last several years in St. Louis where he hosted a popular radio sports talk show and also did pre- and post-game work for the Rams, Cardinals, Missouri Tigers and St. Louis Billikens. Prior to his stint in St. Louis, Grimm worked with the Iowa men’s basketball team as well as serving as the voice of the Iowa Hawkeye women’s team. Grimm is a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
The Twin Cities is already home for Grimm and his family as his wife grew up in Minnesota and they have many friends and family that will welcome them and their children to the area. Grimm also spent a year with WCCO as a program assistant for Twins broadcasts. In addition to his duties teaming up with Kevin Lynch for Gopher basketball, he will also serve as host of pre- and post-game duties for Gopher football.
Despite coming off of two hours of sleep in a night in which St. Louis suffered a major damaging storm and delayed the Cardinal game almost three hours, Grimm took time in his morning to talk with GopherHole about his excitement for the new position, his background in broadcasting and his thoughts of calling The Barn his new office.
GH.com: What initially interested you in the Gopher basketball play-by-play position?
Grimm: My interest in this job was two-fold. The first part is that I grew up in Iowa in the heart of Big Ten country and have always been a huge Big Ten guy. Play-by-play is my true radio passion, and in my opinion, the pinnacle of radio sports, so the interest in this job was obvious from a professional opportunity. The other aspect is that my wife is from the Twin Cities and she has quite a bit of family in the area which we are excited to be around. She moved with me to Iowa and St. Louis for my career, so it is nice to return her home so we can be with family. It’s really exciting how it all came together.
GH.com: How would you categorize your play-by-play style?
Grimm: My first goal is to accurately describe the action. I think that is so important to paint a picture for the listener. From there you have to do it with some excitement and passion. I will not scream like a homer lunatic, but I will inject passion for the Gophers, and will certainly get excited and will yell a bit when we go on a big run. I also hope to tell the audience information that will educate them on the team. And of course it is so important to have chemistry with the color analyst and I look forward to working with a veteran like Kevin Lynch.
GH.com: Do you have any announcers that you like to model your style after?
Grimm: I have been influenced by both Ron Gonder who was the voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Jack Buck of the St. Louis Cardinals. I was fortunate to have worked for both of them and learned a lot from them. I also worked for WCCO Radio a number of years ago and worked with John Gordon. And while he probably doesn’t know it, I learned a lot from him on how he treats people and carries himself as a professional. He has time for everyone and is a real gentleman.
GH.com: What makes a good radio team?
Grimm: There needs to be a give-and-take for both on-air personalities. It is important to know when to talk and when to be quiet, and I look forward to working with Kevin.
GH.com: Did you meet with Kevin Lynch during the interview process?
Grimm: He was working at his basketball camps while I was in town so the timing did not work out, but we will definitely build that chemistry prior to the season.
GH.com: Are you aware that Lynch missed the last second desperation shot in 1990 that would have sent us to the Final Four?
Grimm: I was not aware of that, and I probably shouldn’t bring that up the first time we meet, but I do remember him hitting a few big shots against the Roy Marble and BJ Armstrong Iowa teams.
GH.com: For those that don’t know, how does an interview proves work for radio talent?
Grimm: I worked with the Iowa broadcast team that was with Learfield as well so a relationship was already in place, which is helpful in getting my name out there. From there I sent in some tapes of my past work and then had the opportunity to come in and meet with the team up in the Twin Cities.
GH.com: During the interview process, did Learfield ask you to say “œEngen Nurumbi” five times really fast?
Grimm: (laughs out loud) Well, no, they did not, but I think I will have to incorporate that exercise into my off-season training.
GH.com: Have you had a chance to walk around The Barn?
Grimm: I have been to Williams Arena a number of times through the years as both a spectator and for work, and it is a true college basketball treasure. But I was also able to walk around it during the interview while it was empty and that was very special. You could just feel the history and the intensity that the place has even without anyone in it. I am kind of a stadium junkie and will often walk around Busch Stadium long after the fans are gone and the lights are off to soak in the history and excitement. I can’t wait to call a game this year when the team goes on a big run and the fans are going crazy.
GH.com: What do you know about the Gopher hoops program?
Grimm: I have a lot of learning to do, but as a fan of the Big Ten I have certainly followed them. I know they got off to a slow start in the Big Ten last season, but they finished strong and qualified for the NIT, which says a lot as the team didn’t quit on the coaches. They may not have a lot of pre-season expectations, but often times those are the teams that sneak up on people and have a great run.
GH.com: Since you will be on WCCO, what will it take to attain “œclose personal friend” status with Sid Hartman?
Grimm: Oh gosh, that would be quite an accomplishment if I do that. I think that would be a nice way to culminate a career.
GopherHole would like to thank Grimm for taking the time to talk about his upcoming journey and welcome him to Gold Country!