���S �N ��� ���� Me�ey �n the anno�ncer�s �ooth call�n� a �ame� Me�ey cl�m��n� the 55 ste�s to reach the anno�ncer�s �ooth .
ruin aspecial moment for players and their families . �uring the late-�ctober game , after wrongly identifying a player in aplay , he �uickly announced , “ Correction ,” in his deep , familiar voice , and set the record straight .
The �itters keep him on his toes and helped him during a55-game winning streak by the Wayne Hills Patriots from 200� to 200� when the stands were packed with fans .
The winning streak came under the guidance of then-coach Chris �lsen , the father of NFL retired player-turnedannouncer �reg �lsen . Chris �lsen moved out of state after he retired in 2013 , but visits the area often . When he does , hemeets Mezey for breakfast .
“ He ’ s agood friend to me . Heisthe voice of Wayne Hills football ,” �lsen says .“ It ’ snot Friday night without Ernie up there announcing the game . His voice is so distinctive and pleasant to listen to .”
�lsen says Mezey ’ sknowledge of the players , the games and the team ’ s history is impressive .“ He ’ s not �ust an announcer ,” �lsen says .“ He cares what happens to the kids , their wellness .”
Mezey is also someone who has united the community with his voice and speeches after tragedy , �lsen says , as he did after ��11 .
When the team took the field afew days after the attacks that killed 2 , ���
�MATERIAL THINGS YOU CAN HAVE ALOT�BUT IF YOUDON�THAVE YOUR HEALTH YOUDON�THAVE ANYTHING��
ERNIE ME�EY WAYNE HILLS FOOTBALL PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER
people , seven of them from Wayne , Mezey “ had an unbelievably prepared speech . Iwill remember that speech forever ,” says �lsen . So will �lsen ’ s wife , Susan , also acancer survivor . She says Mezey ’ s��11 speech still gives her “ goosebumps .”
The basketball team will also miss Mezey ’ ssteady voice .
“ Every time Iheard Ernie say �Welcome to the �ifford �ymnasium ,’ Iknew it was go time . I ’ ll forever appreciate Ernie ’ s contributions to our program , but more soour conversations
pregame ,” says �evin �rimes , Wayne Hills ’ boys basketball coach .
��LE��E���N���TE O� �T ALL
“ I learned at avery young age what ’ s important . Material things you can have alot , but if you don ’ t have your health , you don ’ t have anything ,” Mezey says .
In spite ofitall , he ’ s blessed . “ I will tell you , Ihave been blessed inmylife , in spite of the things that Ihave been through .”
He is proud of his two children , now �1 and 3� , and his two grandchildren . He looks forward totheir visits .
He points to the neat pile of toys in front of the fireplace in his living room . He says those are the same toys his children once played with , now awaiting his grandchildren . There ’ salso exercise e�uipment nearby to benefit his health and musical instruments to benefit his mind .
There ’ salso apossible new love interest , but it ’ stoo soon to talk about . He has butter�ies and gets nervous before hesees her or calls , sothat ’ sa good sign , he says .
He has lots to look forward to . For now , he ’ ll rest during the cold New Jersey winter . He ’ ll gobowling , dress up as Santa again during the holidays and anticipate his 2�th season in the maroon wooden booth atop the 55 bleacher steps . ■
@ waynemagazine WAYNE MAGAZINE SPRING 2023
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