It was November of 2019, and the football season was coming to an end, Max Quevedo ‘20, knew that his time on the field was coming to a close, and he began to think about what was next. Sports announcing was a quiet interest he had always had with being a deeply knowledgeable baseball fan, so when the girls’ soccer coach and social studies teacher, Marco Salazar, tapped Max to announce at one of their games, he immediately agreed and fell in love with being in the press box. Cheriese Edwards, assistant principal at the time, told him Tampa Catholic would love to have him back post-graduation to announce at more sporting events. The rest is history.
You likely have heard Max’s voice broadcast if you have attended any TC football, flag football, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, and playoff volleyball games. Also, you may recognize his announcing from Tampa Tarpons Baseball games as he has been working as their announcer since 2023 - a dream job for a life-long Yankees fan. However, it does not stop there!
“For the past two years, I’ve announced exhibition games for USA Lacrosse that involved the women’s national team and Boston College,” Max said. “Also, I’ve announced the Tampa Lax Report Senior All Star Games since 2021.”
He says his announcing style is patterned off some of his most influential sports casters that he grew up listening to that are “well-balanced, straightforward tale of the game, but then at a moment's notice flip the switch and blow the roof off the place.”
Attendees at the memorable 2022 Tampa Catholic vs. Jesuit football game could pick up on this style of announcing as he recounts it as “hands down” his favorite memory of announcing. “What happened to end that game was the most joyous insanity I’ve ever experienced,” he said.
The place was so loud that I couldn’t hear the reverb of my voice, and the press box literally shook. So much so that guy who was live-streaming the game for Jesuit, he had to go handheld with his camera due to his tripod not being able to stay upright. I literally jumped out of my chair screaming when Lew Carter ‘23 blocked that punt, and it was recovered in the end zone to tie the game. After we sealed the win, I was both emotionally exhausted, and on cloud nine. My voice was gone, and I barely slept that night.”
His enthusiasm and high-spirit impact the entire audience, not just those there rooting for the Crusaders. The signature “Holy Toledo!” catchphrase booming through the speakers adds a distinct touch to the game that you won’t find anywhere else.
“The fact that people enjoy what I do, it’s something else,” he said. “When the fans, ours and even the visitors, approach me after games, and thank me for doing such a good job. When the players are saying the catchphrases, I know I must be doing something right. At the end of the day I’m just an announcer. But the fact that people have the same kind of enjoyment listening to me as I have doing it, it means a lot.”
It’s not only the fans who enjoy his announcing, but he himself has an immense love for the job and finds it to be a blessing he is able to announce for teams he cherishes dearly. He is dedicated to stay involved as TC’s announcer is to give the students proper recognition for their commitment and hard work to the sport they play and train day after day to succeed in.
“It truly is a blessing to be able to do it for my alma mater, and I take great pride in it,” he said. “Right now, I’m in a position that between announcing for TC and my job with the Yankees, I basically announce year-round. As one set of sports ends, the others begin. Not everybody in this line of work is lucky enough to say that. In all, it’s something I look forward to every season no matter the sport. The chance to start anew, and be along for the journey of whichever team it is.”
Currently, along with his announcing, Max attends school at the University of Tampa where he is studying communication. He chose this field to be an aid in furthering his current craft while also knowing that a degree in communication can help him outside of the world of sports if he chooses to branch out in the future. The job with the Yankees has given him tastes of camera operation, official scoring, and IT work. Max knows there is a world of possibilities out there, and he is open to wherever his journey takes him.
“I can’t predict what the future holds for me, but I’m ready for whatever’s around the bend,” he said. “I’m lucky right now to be able to do what I love with people I enjoy working with. If there’s anything I’ve learned it’s this: Work hard, stay positive, and be genuine. Those lessons go far beyond announcing, and I believe they’ll always serve me well.”
Being a Crusader, and supporting the next generation of TC students, is something that Max esteems to the highest degree.
“To me being a Crusader means everything,” he said. “Through the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat. That’s it; being a Crusader means you're home.”