If you ever went to Mat Classic, you definitely heard Ed Aliverti.
Every year at Mat Classic, the Washington high school state wrestling championships, Aliverti’s powerful, smooth voice boomed through the cavernous arena as Aliverti called the action. Somehow he managed to keep track of all the matches going on simultaneously at the giant all-classification meet.
I found out on Wednesday that Aliverti — a renowned local music teacher in addition to his world-wide notoriety as a wrestling announcer — died of pancreatic cancer. Here is Herald Writer Eric Stevick’s story about Aliverti.
Aliverti was 77.
According to Stevick’s article, Aliverti spent more than 50 years announcing wrestling meets. He was always ultra-enthusiastic during Mat Classic, getting true joy out of observing and describing so many memorable one-one-one battles between teenage kids who desperately yearned for individual and team glory.
At Mat Classic, Aliverti was well-known for his unique, emotional rendition of “God Bless America,” which he always sang on the final day of the meet. With a mix of heartfelt singing and unusual spoken-word utterances, Aliverti’s performance always generated big cheers from the crowd of wrestlers, parents, coaches and officials.
He will undoubtedly be missed at Mat Classic. But a recording of Aliverti’s version of “America the Beautiful” will be played at the state championships for years to come.
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