Frank Ryan

Francis Joseph "Frank" Ryan (1899–December 30, 1961) was an American public relations executive and sports announcer who was the first play-by-play announcer for the Boston Bruins and publicity director for the Bruins, Harvard University, and Suffolk Downs. Early life and education Ryan was born in Boston in 1899. He attended Boston Latin School, where he was a member of the school's crew and hockey team and was captain of the football team. He graduated in 1917. During World War I, Ryan served as an officer in the United States Army Reserve. Ryan attended Boston College, but transferred to Harvard University, where he graduated with the class of 1924. From 1919 to 1929, Ryan was a sports reporter for the Boston Traveler. Boston Bruins When Charles Adams formed the Boston Bruins in 1924, he named Ryan as the team's broadcaster. Ryan called play-by-play for home games and recreated road games from telegraph reports. During intermissions, Ryan's brother-in-law would provide updates in French for French Canadians living in New England. In 1926, Ryan took on the additional role of public relations director. In 1948, when WBZ-TV began airing the third period of Bruins' home games, Ryan was chosen to handle the play-by-play duties. In 1950, he was elected to the team's board of directors. In 1952, the Bruins were purchased by the Boston Garden-Arena Corporation. As the corporation had its own publicity department, Ryan's position was eliminated. He was replaced as play-by-play announcer by Fred Cusick.