MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Tom Hanneman, whose career as a sports journalist in the Twin Cities spanned nearly 50 years, has passed away.
While still a student at the University of Minnesota, Hanneman wrote a letter to Dave Moore, who presented the evening news on WCCO-TV. Moore gave him a tour of the station and as a coordinator helped him get a foot in the door.
Then, in the early 1970s, Hanneman started working for WCCO-TV as a sports reporter and anchor. During his time, he covered two Vikings Superbowl appearances, the 1987 World Series for the Twins and the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.
He and former sports anchor Mark Rosen came to WCCO during the same period and quickly became friends and colleagues. He was known in the industry as one of the kindest, humblest souls. He had heart problems about a year and a half ago, WCCO’s Mike Max reports.
Tom Hanneman (second from the right). Credit: Tom Ziegler
In 1979, Hanneman experienced what he called a ‘life-affirming event’ in which he was held hostage in Red Laker Reservation. A gun was held to his head and told he was going to die.
After 16 years, Hanneman left WCCO-TV to join the newly formed Minnesota Timberwolves as a TV and radio host and reporter. He eventually became the TV play-by-play voice for the Wolves.
Timberwolves and Lynx owner Glen Taylor released a statement:
“I am deeply saddened by the death of Tom Hanneman. Since the founding of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tom has been a temp and voice of our franchise over the years. First on the radio and then on television, his more than five decades of broadcasting experience impacted generations of basketball fans. Tom’s grace, spirit and sense of humor was felt by everyone who came into contact with him. On behalf of the Timberwolves and Lynx, we offer our deepest condolences to Nancy, the Hanneman family and his FOX Sports North family. “
In 2012, Hanneman became the face of Fox Sports North, hosting the Timberwolves, Wild, Twins and Gopher hockey pre and post games.
Tom Hanneman with his son at Kirby Puckett’s Number Retirement in 1997. Credit: Tom Ziegler
Hanneman received the Upper Midwest Emmy Chapter Silver Circle in November 2020.
He leaves behind his wife Nancy, two sons and a daughter. The cause of his death has not been reported.
Shared the best of times with Tom Hanneman. We were roommates, he was best man at my wedding and beyond his tremendous skills as a writer and broadcaster, he never lost his humor or deep sense of what was important. I am absolutely gutted by his loss https://t.co/2egstty5zm
– Mark Rosen (@KFANRosen) December 18, 2020
What sad news today. Tom was such a good guy and a class act. https://t.co/2zpi39Jq2J
– Amelia Santaniello (@WCCOAmelia) December 18, 2020
No. No. Devastating. https://t.co/XQkvwzulYV
– Patrick Kessler (@PatKessler) December 18, 2020
Can 2020 already stop ?! I just heard it’s great @fsnorth and former @WCCO alum Tom Hanneman has passed away. What a class act. pic.twitter.com/SNNUiCHWhP
– Cathy Wurzer (@CathyWurzer) December 18, 2020
It’s hard to describe, but Tom Hanneman was a warm blanket at a cold Target Center. Always in a suit, he stopped when we passed in the hall, put two hands on his bag. “Jon, how are you?” in a voice so soothing you knew he actually wanted the answer.
– Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) December 18, 2020
No. Not Tom Hanneman. Truly the nicest person in the business.
– Jim Souhan (@SouhanStrib) December 18, 2020
What I’ll remember most about Tom Hanneman is that he had the best Sid Hartman impersonation I’ve ever heard.
– Brandon Warne (@Brandon_Warne) December 18, 2020