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PA ANNOUNCER: KEVIN HEILBRONNERIn 2001, the Washington Business Journal called Kevin Heilbronner “The Voice of DC Sports.” Following seven season as radio play-by-play announcer for three different minor league baseball teams, Heilbronner left baseball after the 1995 season for freelance work and his announcing career took off.
In November 2008, Heilbronner will begin his 12th season as PA announcer for the NBA’s Washington Wizards. For the fifth year in a row, he has voiced Georgetown University’s men’s basketball and lacrosse recruiting videos.
Since 1998, he has served as PA announcer for the NHL’s Washington Capitals for two seasons; WUSA's Washington Freedom, for all three of their seasons; Major League Soccer’s DC United and Major League Lacrosse’s Washington Power’s inaugural season. He has spent 14 seasons working various sporting events at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
Announcing highlights include the 50th Annual NBA All-Star Game, February 2001, broadcast internationally from Washington, DC, which included the Rookie Game, Skills Events, Slam Dunk Contest and All-Star Game; the 4th Annual WNBA All-Star Game, July 2001; 2000 MLS Championship; the first-ever women’s professional soccer game in the United States, April 2001; hosting George Mason University’s Midnight Madness and Awards Banquet for the past 10 years and calling several NCAA lacrosse championships, including Hobart College’s 10th straight title in 1990.
Originally from Rochester, NY, he attended the State University of New York at Oswego, where he earned a degree in Broadcasting and Mass Communications. He resides in Aldie, VA, 30 miles west of Washington, DC with his wife Erin and three dogs, Mia, Tzeli and Zeus.
WIZARDS EMCEE: CHRIS STYLES
Chris Styles is the “Hype Man” for all Washington Wizards Home Games. You can find him every home game in the crowd pumping up the Verizon Center and on the court hosting activities during intermissions and time-outs.
Styles is involved in all aspects of the Wizards Game Operations whether it’s getting the crowd excited during the Chipotle Burrito Dash or coming up with new ways to get the crowd hyped during the 4th quarter. Chris Styles enters his second season with the organization and continues to bring an unmatched energy to the Verizon Center every night.
Born and raised in Takoma Park, Maryland, Chris Styles began adapting to a diverse environment at a young age. After graduating from DeMatha Catholic High School, Styles started his DJ career when he launched Chris Styles DJ's. The company soon became the premier DJ Company for all Middle School, High School and College parties.
During his college years at Montgomery Community College and then American University, Styles held radio shows at both campuses as well as the University of Maryland and Howard University. After his college radio years and spinning at every School and Campus in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., Styles decided to pursue FM radio.
In the spring of 2002, Styles interned in the Promotions Department at Hot 99.5 FM. After graduating that semester from American University with a BA in Public Communication, Styles began working part-time in Promotions and began to work his way up to an on-air shift. Styles was asked by the station's Program Director to produce and host a high-energy mix-show every Saturday Night and "Saturday Night Party Gras" was bron. With the succcess of the show, Styles was given the opportunity to broadcast Party Gras live from Fur Nightclub every Saturday Night from 10pm-2am.
In December of 2006, Styles was given the opportunity to broadcast his radio talent to all of the United States and Canada thanks to XM Satellite Radio. You can catch Chris Styles every night from 6pm-12am est on XM Channel 20 on 20 hosting "Top 20 Countdowns" and talking to the XM Nation.
WIZARDS HOST: AUTRIA GODFREY
Autria Godfrey is joining the Wizards Game Night team this year to help get more fans on their feet. Whether it's through Wizards Trivia or making the rounds in the stands, her mission is to get you yelling for the Wizards.
No stranger to basketball, Autria worked with the Aggie Men's Basketball team while a student at Texas A&M University. But after a brief stint living in Washington, DC attending American University, Autria realized there's no better team to cheer for than the Wizards.
After graduating from A&M, Autria put her Journalism degree to work. After a year as a reporter, she moved up the ranks and is currently morning anchor in Charlottesville, VA.
Always looking for new ways to get you out of your seat, give her an idea next time you see her scouring the stands for the biggest Wizards fans.