A voice familiar to many Racine Raiders fans will make a return to Historic Horlick Athletic Field in 2021. Dan Pfeifer, who was the public address announcer and music coordinator for the team in 2011 and 2012 and filled in often in 2013 and 2014 returns with the departure of Jesse Booker. Booker stepped down to spend more time with his family.
Pfeifer provided the soundtrack for the Raiders’ 2012 and 2014 national championships, all while creating a memorably lively, fun atmosphere for fans of all ages, including a wide variety of music, cheers, and even some humor.
“Anytime you get to be a part of something with as much tradition and success as the Raiders, and get to put a modern spin on that tradition with music, entertainment, and the updates to Horlick Field, it’s nothing short of an honor,” said Pfeifer.
In his time away, Pfeifer occasionally filled in as the Raiders’ radio play-by-play voice, but was primarily the public address announcer for Mequon’s Lakeshore Chinooks of the Northwoods League. He helped the Chinooks build a reputation for having one of the best fan experiences in Southeastern Wisconsin from 2013-19.
“When Jesse told us he was going to step away, the first person I reached out to was Dan,” said Don Wadewitz, media lead for the Raiders. “I knew he had stepped down from the Chinooks which was a primary reason for him leaving originally.”
“As much fun as Chinooks games were,” Pfeifer said, “working 36 games over two months, on top of a 9-to-5 job, was a grind. When I decided I needed to cut back, and was given the chance to return to the Raiders, it was a perfect fit. I’m so proud of the atmosphere we created in the early 2010s, and we’ll have just as much fun in 2021.”
In addition to his role with the Chinooks, after seven years of calling high school football games for iHeartRadio’s Milwaukee stations, Pfeifer became a co-host of Football Friday Night this past fall, a longstanding high school score recap show airing on over 10 stations weekly throughout Wisconsin. Pfeifer has also been the PA voice of Marquette University’s soccer and lacrosse teams since 2007 and the WIAA state soccer championships held at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee. Pfeifer does all of this on top of his day job, working with alumni & donor data for Marquette’s fundraising and engagement arm.
“Dan and I have worked together in live sports in some capacity dating back to 2009,” said Wadewitz. “There are many teams where we’ve teamed up, with him on public address and me on the broadcast, and it’s always worked out very well, including during his first stint with the Raiders.”
“I thank Matt Nelson and Don Wadewitz for thinking of me when the opportunity came up,” said Pfeifer. “I look forward to helping continue the great tradition of Racine Raiders football this summer.”
In his spare time, Pfeifer enjoys rooting for the Brewers, Packers, and Marquette, golf, bicycling, and the hobby through which he met his wife, Pam, swing dancing. Dan, 39, lives with Pam and their three cats in Greenfield, Wis.
Another great move by a well run organization. Welcome back, Dan!