Joe Kennedy’s voice has been heard throughout the Alfond Arena for 10 years where he has been the public address announcer for University of Maine men’s and women’s hockey games.

In two years, his voice will be heard at Salt Lake City as he has been named one of four announcers to handle the public address chores for the men’s and women’s hockey games at the Winter Olympic Games.

“I’m elated,” said Orono native Kennedy. “I’m not surprised I got the job. A lot of people around me were doubtful, but I felt very confident. I think I can handle it. This will be the biggest challenge of my announcing career.”

Kennedy, who lives in Bucksport, applied for the position and sent an audio tape to the people doing the hiring. There were no auditions. The four were chosen based on their applications and demo tapes.

“I heard there were 41 applicants,” said the 34-year-old Kennedy, who will leave in November to do a hockey tournament in Salt Lake City in preparation for 2002.

He said his main concern at the Olympics will be making sure he pronounces the names properly since players from several different countries will be represented.

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to get the rosters in time. I’ll have a producer with me and that makes me feel a little more confident,” said Kennedy.

Kennedy graduated from Orono High School in 1984 and from the University of Maine with a degree in broadcast production in 1988.

He is currently an administrative assistant for the Job Corps division of the Training and Development Corporation.