March 07, 2024 | NEWS | By Lilly Asano
If you glanced at the Club Level seating in Ed Robson Arena at the last hockey home series, you might have noticed an orange lava lamp in one of the press boxes, warmly glowing in a sea of reporters and athletic officials.
The lava lamp may seem out of place for those unfamiliar with Colorado College Tiger Hockey. However, for fans, it’s a testimony to this year’s success, an ode to sophomore star, Noah Laba, or the “Laba Lamp.”
The “Laba Lamp” was coined by Ken Landau, and the lamp is the newest addition to the play-by-play broadcaster’s booth. The term has gained traction throughout the season, and Ken debuted his newly purchased lava lamp during last Friday’s game.
Known as the “voice of the Tigers,” Ken Landau has been with Colorado College for almost 17 years.
Landau boasts an extensive resume in sports broadcasting with humble beginnings as an undergraduate student from Michigan State University. Landau served as the student radio play-by-play broadcaster for MSU’s hockey program before graduating in 1982. When his professional career took off, he stayed with the Spartans.
As a student, he convinced the local radio station to start covering Michigan State games. His hockey experience was limited to his time playing intramural hockey in college, but Landau’s passion for the sport was undeniable.
“Hockey is my first love. I mean, I’m a big football fan, but in terms of a broadcaster, this is my game. This is my sport.”
Following his time at Michigan State University, he moved to the University of Michigan, a line that “no one’s ever crossed.” From there, he found himself flying to Colorado Springs for an interview with Scott Lowenberg, the then-assistant athletic director of Colorado College.
Like many CC students, the Hersey, Pennsylvania native was drawn to Colorado’s mountains and sunshine.
“I’ve always loved Colorado since the first time I came out here. I was maybe a 12-year-old kid who fell in love with the mountains,” said Landau. “I always hoped that one day my career would bring me out here.”
When he arrived in Colorado Springs, Landau covered a few NCAA tournament runs and a Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) regular season title. The Tigers left their former conference in 2013 and joined Miami (Ohio), North Dakota, Denver, Western Michigan, Omaha, St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. The league’s formation brought together some of the oldest and best teams in the nation, and Landau knew Colorado College would struggle.
“When the new league was formed, there were going to be some disappointed people. There was no way around it. And unfortunately, we were among the disappointed people.”
Through 10 seasons tallying more losses than wins, Landau’s fondness for Colorado College grew, along with his connection with the staff, coaches and players.
Director of Athletic Communications Jerry Cross has worked with Landau since he returned to Colorado College in 2014. The two travel from hotels to games together on the road and work together throughout the year.
Cross shared, “Our fans really enjoy listening to him, and I think he gets good feedback from that, and that sort of fuels him to show his passion for the team, for the players.”
“He’s really good at calling hockey,” continued Cross. “Hockey is one of the more difficult sports to broadcast, especially when you’re doing it by yourself and don’t have an analyst with you. He does a good job.”
Ken Landau hosts the KRDO Kris Mayotte Show every week between October and March. The Tiger’s head coach and Landau meet at P74: Downtown Panino’s on Tuesdays to discuss upcoming and previous campaigns and often end the show laughing.
“He’s been great, and we have a great friendship,” said Mayotte. “He’s a lot of fun to work with.”
For Mayotte, Landau’s work goes beyond his memory and eye for the game. Mayotte grew up in Pittsburgh and served as Michigan’s assistant coach before taking the reins of the Tigers, and the two shared similar backgrounds.
“I grew up listening to Mike Lange, who’s the Penguins announcer, and he has a very similar call style, I’d say. My mom loves listening to him because he reminds her of Lange.”
Mayotte also called Landau “incredibly thoughtful” when interacting with the players. “He understands that we have kids from all over, and their families can’t be here. He really tries to make connections and feel like they’re right here, experiencing it with their families.”
When it comes to their favorite calls of Landau’s, Mayotte and Cross share the same moment: Matthew Gleason’s overtime goal that sent CC to the 2023 NCHC Frozen Faceoff. Until there’s another moment like that, both shared it will remain a favorite.
The quote reads: “SCORE! GLEASON! GLEASON! HOW SWEET IT IS!”
Landau’s favorite game, however, is more personal and recent. CC traveled to Grand Forks in early December to play former No. 1 North Dakota. The unranked Tigers won both games. For Landau, it was the final game his dad listened to before losing a battle to congestive heart failure a few days later.
With almost 17 seasons with the Tigers under his belt, Landau is optimistic about the direction Kris Mayotte and staff are taking. The Tigers are ranked for the first time since 2012 and now sit in the United States Collegiate Hockey Organization’s top ten.
“Someone asked me once, ‘You look around at some of your peers; they’ve had the chance to broadcast national championship games,’” Landau said. “I say, “Yeah, okay. That’s fine, but I get to broadcast for Colorado College.”
“Would it be great to broadcast a national championship game? Yes, but as long as it’s CC playing. And I truly believe we’re on the path to that point.”
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