T. Michael Sullivan

Thomas Michael “Mike” Sullivan

Mike Sullivan passed into the everlasting peace and love of his Savior on April 21, 2025.

He was born May 31, 1949, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He spent his childhood in Edina, Minnesota, and Summit, New Jersey, graduating from Edina High School in 1967. He attended Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire, and the Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, where he met his wife, Kristine Chinnock. He and Kristine were married at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire on August 13, 1977. Their daughter Katherine was born in 1979.

Mike's long career in radio left an indelible mark on the Chippewa Valley. He moved to Eau Claire in 1974 and spent the next four decades bringing sports and news to life through the airwaves. Before retiring at the end of 2018, he did play-by-play of over 3,600 games of local hockey, football, basketball, and baseball. He was also the co-host of Z-100's Marconi Award-winning morning show during much of the 1980s and '90s. Through the years at WBIZ and its affiliates, he worked as director of news, sports, and sports marketing, as well as assistant sales manager, and, for a time in 1996, station manager.

Whether he had to use an entire roll of masking tape and crawl under bleachers to string a power cord where no power cord had ever gone before, stand for hours in all kinds of weather, or do an entire game holding a cellphone, he let nothing stop him from getting on the air. He always treated every game as the most important he would ever cover. His broadcasts didn't only describe the action; they were performance art in which his boundless energy, attention to detail, and creative turns of phrase transported listeners into the stands. He took pride in what he called “doing his homework,” tracking down obscure trivia about players and coaches even before the internet. Mike had opportunities to move on to bigger markets, but chose to remain here for his love of the Chippewa Valley and passion for local sports. He was the voice of the Eau Claire North Huskies, Eau Claire Memorial Old Abes, Regis Ramblers, and University of Eau Claire Blugolds.

Mike was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters' Association Hall of Fame in 2015, and is in the halls of fame at all three Eau Claire high schools and UW-EC. The press box at the Hobbs Ice Center was renamed in his honor in 2024. He received numerous accolades, including the Richard O'Brien Award for outstanding lifetime contribution to hockey in Eau Claire (1989), the Torchlight Award for outstanding lifetime achievement in news reporting (1989), the Tom Butler Award for outstanding coverage of small college sports in Wisconsin (1999), and the UPI National Award for Radio Sports Documentary (1988).

Mike was a voracious reader and instilled that love of books in his daughter. He was a lifelong learner, always ready to absorb more about history, language, and sports. He traveled to every state except Alaska. He, Kris, and Katie enjoyed doing the daily New York Times crossword puzzle together, and their longest streak of consecutive puzzles completed was over 300 days. His quick wit and sense of humor will be greatly missed.

Family was always his top priority. He loved with his whole heart, and no one knew that better than his wife and daughter. For over fifty years, Mike and Kristine supported each other through life's ups and down, facing it all with love, grace, and humor. He was also a truly devoted father to Katie, and they spent countless hours sharing learning, language, and laughter.

Since childhood, Mike was a passionate Philadelphia Phillies fan. Whether they had the worst record or a World Series trophy, they were his team no matter what. The amount of Phillies trivia stored in his head was legendary. He fulfilled a life-long dream by attending Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park in 2019.

Faith in Jesus Christ was the bedrock of Mike's life. As a member of Grace Lutheran Church for over thirty years, and a member of Saving Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire since its founding in 2013. At both churches, he served as an usher, communion assistant, and lay reader. His steadfast faith shaped him into a generous, honest, and compassionate man.

He is welcomed in heaven by his parents, Thomas and Bernice (“Nicci”) Sullivan (Warnken); his sister, Patricia McKenney; and his aunts and uncles. Left to mourn his passing are his wife Kristine, daughter Katie Sullivan, sister-in-law Rosemary Chase; nephew Joram McKenney, nieces Sasha (John) Keeler, Rose McKenney, and Crysta McKenney; and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

The Sullivan family would like to thank the staff of the Mayo Clinic in Eau Claire, Rochester, and Barron for the care they provided for Mike. Enormous thanks also to everyone who reached out with messages of support and contributed to fundraising for Mike's care.

Services will be at 1 PM on May 1st, 2025, at Saving Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, 3735 Jeffers Rd., with visitation two hours before, and light refreshments after. Pastor David Irgens will officiate. A private burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations toward remaining medical expenses.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family.