Alumni Meet the Voice of Big Red Men’s Ice Hockey (and Football!) Stories You May Like Fascinating Facts About Lynah Rink, Big Red Hockey’s Chilly Abode The Most Iconic Cornell Tradition: Cheering Big Red Hockey in Lynah! For the Lynah Faithful, Ice Hockey Is a Matter of Tradition For decades, Arthur Mintz ’71 has served as the PA announcer for both teams—making him a Cornell sports icon in his own right By Melissa Newcomb On a Friday afternoon in late January, Arthur Mintz ’71 sits in Lynah Rink’s officials’ box and reads the Harvard men’s hockey team roster aloud—though there’s almost no one around to hear him. It’s all part of Mintz’s pregame prep—how he ensures he’ll pronounce the visiting players’ names correctly when he recites the starting lineups and announces the game action. On this particular day, it’s also the calm before the Big Red storm: the sold-out arena will shortly play host to one of the most iconic rivalries in the Ivy League, the annual home game against the Crimson. But Mintz doesn’t get nervous—after all, he’s been the PA announcer for men’s hockey since 1987. Plus, let’s face it: the Faithful won’t be paying attention to the visiting lineup. They’ll be too busy rattling their newspapers and shouting “BORING!” Ryan Young / Cornell UniversityIn action behind the microphone (and Lynah plexiglas). Mintz has witnessed that and myriad other Lynah traditions in his nearly four decades at the microphone, from the unsanctioned flinging of fish and toothpaste (before the Harvard and Colgate games, respectively—and don’t do it!) to cowbells, Pep Band tunes, and all manner of rowdy chants. And over the years, as the voice of men’s hockey, Mintz has become a Big Red icon in his own right. Before every game, he fires up the crowd like a revving engine before a race with “Good evening, hockey fans!”—a tradition he carried on from his predecessor, W. Barlow Ware ’47. “Arthur is a Lynah legend,” says Jim Roberts ’71, Mintz’s co-author on the 2017 Cornell University Press book Forever Faithful: Celebrating the Greatest Moments of Cornell Hockey. “The sound of his voice is such a part of being at a game. It’s not just what he says; it’s how he says it. It’s so authoritative. When Arthur announces who a penalty is on, or who assisted on a goal, you know it’s right.” Arthur is a Lynah legend. The sound of his voice is such a part of being at a game. Jim Roberts ’71 Outgoing men's head coach Mike Schafer ’86 echoes Roberts's assessment of Mintz's iconic status. "Arthur’s 'Good evening, hockey fans!' welcome to Lynah Rink is legendary," says Schafer, who will soon retire after three decades at the team's helm. "Tradition is very important in our program and the game night experience." But hockey isn’t Mintz’s only PA gig; he has announced Big Red football since 1986. And as he readily admits, his talents lie behind the microphone rather than on the playing field—or the ice. Stories You May Like Fascinating Facts About Lynah Rink, Big Red Hockey’s Chilly Abode The Most Iconic Cornell Tradition: Cheering Big Red Hockey in Lynah! “I’m lacking a major qualification needed to become a hockey player: I can’t skate. I’m good at falling down, though,” Mintz says with a laugh. “I’m drawn to hockey because of the speed of the game, the skill that’s required to play it, and the physicality of it.” PROVIDEDRoberts's and Mintz's coffee table book details key games for both the men's and women's teams. Although Mintz may not have played in youth leagues, his fascination with sports announcing goes back to childhood. He grew up in Brooklyn, and he vividly remembers the first time his father took him to a Dodgers game at the team’s bygone home, Ebbets Field. “I walk out from under the stands to this huge expanse of green outfield, and I hear this ‘voice of God’ from the public address system,” Mintz recalls. “It was my first experience ever going to a sporting event, and it drew me to care about the stuff that goes on off the field.” I’m drawn to hockey because of the speed of the game, the skill that’s required to play it, and the physicality of it. Arthur Mintz ’71 A math major on the Hill who also studied computer science, Mintz was an undergrad during a golden era for Big Red men’s hockey. The team had won its first national championship in 1966–67, the semester before he matriculated—and it took the title again in 1969–70, his junior year. Mintz stayed in Ithaca after graduation, primarily working in IT for the University. Having previously helped to announce, run the clock, and do PR for a local men’s hockey team, he was tapped to be the official scorer for the Big Red team in 1983, eventually taking on his two announcing jobs. He taught himself by listening to other announcers, including the legendary Ware—learning to trust his instincts, and unlearning his Brooklyn accent. PROVIDEDWith his parents at Commencement. “Arthur enhances the entire experience,” says Roberts, a former season ticket holder who served as editor-publisher of Cornell Alumni Magazine. “I hope that someday—and I hope it’s a long way off—when Arthur is not here to do this anymore, whoever succeeds him carries on the sayings, the tone, and the whole gravitas that he brings to Big Red hockey.” Happily, Mintz has no plans to step away from the microphone anytime soon. (He admits, however, that he still hasn’t gotten used to having strangers recognize him—or, more likely, his voice.) In fact, he estimates that in his 38 years in the post, he has missed fewer than 20 games. "As long as I can keep doing this job, I want to keep doing it,” he says. “As long as they want me here, I want to be here.” Top: Mintz in the officials’ box at Lynah Rink. (Ryan Young / Cornell University) Published February 14, 2025 Comments Dot P. Valachovic, Class of 1971 18 Feb, 2025 I’m honored to call Art an outstanding class member & CRC buddy. His modesty tends to disguise his dry humor & always on point assessments of what’s in front of him. Those personality traits positively influence his high-quality calls as the “Voice of the Big Red.” Thanks, Art, for your dedication & professionalism. Reply Dave Wohlueter 18 Feb, 2025 Arthur was one of the best hires I ever made. A now legend replaced a legend in Barlow Ware. He’s been great ever since. Reply Fred Wilcox, Class of 1976 18 Feb, 2025 How can someone pen an article about Art Mintz and not mention his famous cowbell? Screw B.U.! Harvard too! Reply Matt, Class of 1983 19 Feb, 2025 Hanging out with Arthur is a special treat for members of the Continuous Reunion Club. The Cornell Club-NY also had a remarkable evening with Arthur and co-author Jim Roberts ’71, celebrating their book on Big Red Hockey. Former Mens’ Hockey tri-captain John Hughes ’70 was also a special guest. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/celebrating-big-red-hockey-forever-faithful-matt-palumbo/ Reply John Henrehan, Class of 1971 20 Feb, 2025 Arthur and I lived on the same corridor in (old) University Hall #4 in the fall of 1967. Little known fact: Arthur arrived at Cornell at the tender age of 16! Reply Eric Beane, Class of 1993 20 Feb, 2025 Arthur is a Cornell hockey legend! Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. 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