February 5, 2006
Hawaii radio host recalls youth in Wayne
Sports radio show host Wayne Lavelle has been
a long way from his home in Hawaii over the past week , but covering the Super
Bowl gave him a chance to spend time just miles from where he grew up.
Known as "Super Bowl Wayne," he is set to be at Ford Field for today's NFL title game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks. For Lavelle, it's his 29th trip to see the Super Bowl.
"I went to the first two years in Los Angeles when they were giving tickets away," Lavelle said. "Then later, I've gone to the Super Bowl town without a ticket, without a place to stay, but I went there to party and somehow ended up with a ticket to the game."
The 60-year-old Lavelle was born in
Highland Park, but later moved to Wayne, where he attended Wayne High School for
his 10th-grade year (see photo to left).
Family issues moved Lavelle to relocate to California where he completed high school and studied law and television and radio at various colleges.
His past jobs included work in law, sales and as a machinist for an airline, but he's always been a huge sports fan.
He moved to Hawaii 20 years ago because it was too cold for him in San Francisco. Since 1998, he has co-hosted a morning radio program on KORL-AM (690 AM).
"Super Bowl Wayne" is a hyperactive free spirit who brings an energetic, raspy voice to his radio show that airs from 5-6 a.m. to wake up his Honolulu audience. He looks a bit like Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, but Lavelle uses his receded gray hair for a long braid down his back.
"I like the excitement of being myself and being able to express my enthusiasm on the radio," Lavelle said. "I get some stuff wrong, but I have a good partner who laughs it off and helps me out."
He was on Radio Row at the Renaissance Center last week with other radio personalities from across the country, while his partner was stationed at the KORL's home studio.
Lavelle's lively personality is known among the throng of media in Detroit for the Super Bowl. He shakes hands with just about everyone he meets and hands out boxes a toffee- and chocolate-covered macadamia nuts to guests on his radio show, which on Friday included Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott.
Lavelle had to adjust to a five-hour time change and 40-degree temperature difference, but he said he's enjoyed his 10-day stay. He has been staying at a Livonia hotel, located in an area that he remembers as a "cow pasture" when he was a boy.
This is the first visit to his native area since attending the 1982 Super Bowl at the Pontiac Silverdome. "It was tough for the media during the last Super Bowl in Detroit with the winter storm and traffic problems," Lavelle said. "This year it has been different. It's cold for me, but people have warmed up to the media here. They are saying 'good morning" to everyone and making everyone feel welcome. "The world is watching and Detroit is showing how much it wants to be a premier winter destination."