Wayne Messmer, M.Ed., Ph.D.
Entertains ~ Educates ~ Inspires

Wayne Messmer is a native Chicagoan who grew up on the City’s Southwest Side. A practitioner of “opportunity management,” he positioned himself in the right place at the right time for 99% of his life. As the P.A. Announcer for the Loyola University Hockey Team, the tape recording of the National Anthem broke before a game was about to start, so Wayne took the microphone and sang it himself. Messmer’s extraordinary singing career started that very day at a college hockey game… and a career began.

Wayne gained recognition as the celebrated National Anthem soloist with the Chicago Blackhawks at Chicago Stadium for 13 seasons in the NHL, including the unrivaled NHL All-Star Game performance of the Canadian and United States National Anthems. Subsequently, he furthered his status with the Chicago Wolves, Chicago Cubs and formerly the Chicago White Sox. Messmer became known nationally as, “Chicago’s Original Voice of the National Anthem.” His signature ending note on the word, “brave,” (on the 5th) has been recognized as his trademark since the 1980’s, and is frequently copied by other singers ever since.

Wayne Messmer ~ Speaker, Coach, Mentor, Speaker

MEMBERSHIPS

National Speakers Association

National Speakers Association, Illinois Chapter

Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (SAG/AFTRA)

EDUCATION

B.M.E., Bachelor of Music Education
Illinois Wesleyan University

M.Ed., Master of Education in Guidance & Counseling
Loyola University Chicago

Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
La Salle University

Hon. Doctor of Humane Letters
Illinois Wesleyan University

Hon. Doctor of Humanities
Chicago School of Professional Psychology

HIGHLIGHTS from an
EXTRAORDINARY CAREER

  • Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)
  • “The Wayne Messmer Radio Show,” 90.9 FM / WDCB.org
  • “Chicago’s Original Voice of the National Anthem”
  • Professional Actor: “Damien” A one-man play by Aldyth Morris
  • Critically Acclaimed Author, The Voice of Victory
  • Senior Executive VP & Founding Partner, Chicago Wolves
  • Financial Professional, Wayne Messmer & Associates, LLC
  • Veteran Broadcaster
  • Professional Member of SAG/AFTRA

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • Illinois Wesleyan University ~ Distinguished Alumnus Award 2017
  • Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity ~ Signature Sinfonian Award
Wayne Messmer ~ Speaker, Coach, Mentor, Speaker

“Nobody ever said it was going to be easy.”

In 1994, Wayne faced the biggest challenge of his life after a random act of violence left him with his life and voice in peril. Messmer would miraculously survive that fateful spring night to speak and to sing again. His courage, conviction and perseverance brought him to his triumphant performance as “The Voice of Victory” at the 2016 World Series.

Wayne Messmer ~ 'The Voice of Victory' ~ 2016 World Series