WAYNE MESSMER Chicago Cubs and Chicago Wolves Soloist SUBURBAN CHICAGO–Certified Speaking Professional, Singer, Broadcaster, Author, Actor, 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs and 4-time Cup Champion Chicago Wolves National Anthem Soloist, and member of the National Speakers Association, Wayne Messmer, has quite the resume. You can hear him every Sunday evening at 7pm on 90.9 FM/WDCB.org hosting The Wayne Messmer Radio Show.
Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, in the Brighton Park neighborhood, Wayne graduated from Thomas Kelly High School. His initial calling to music was when he started taking accordion lessons at the age of six, which led to an interest in piano and the French horn in high school and college. Wayne’s high school band director was influential in helping him formulate a vision for college and beyond eventually earning his Bachelor of Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University, Master of Education from Loyola University Chicago, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from La Salle University.
Although some may best recognize Wayne for his Chicago Cubs Anthem performances, his joy is in storytelling as a professional speaker before groups, facing the challenges of change or adversity. The powerful story of his own survival from a gunshot to the neck in 1994 has served as inspiration to thousands over the years and is documented in his book, The Voice of Victory, which is the true and complete personal story of his rise to prominence as "Chicago's Original Voice of the National Anthem" and the devastating, random act of violence that nearly took his voice and almost cost him his life.
“The success of the Chicago Wolves Hockey Team, of which I am a founding partner, is among my life’s proudest accomplishments,” he says. “I can say without question that that anything worth believing in is worth fighting for.”
Because of his years of involvement at some of the most exciting events in the Chicago, he frequently has the chance to meet and speak with notable athletes and celebrities. He credits Pope John Paul II, to have had the most significant impact on his life due to his sense of commitment to the service of others.
With two daughters, four grandchildren and a wife of 34 years, (Kathleen), Wayne has no intention of slowing down. Working alongside his business partner Jim Geake, they have built an impressive financial services firm (Wayne Messmer & Associates) that has gained national recognition and respect within the financial services industry. –Kristen Kucharski
