Wharton Teacher is Voice of the Wildcats

There's a term that's used around : "lifers."

Lifers are teachers who have been there since the school opened in 1997. Among their ranks are football, track and wrestling coach David Mitchell, basketball coach Tom Tonelli, Culinary Department head Ed Bujarksi and theatre teacher Jas Warren. Included too in that group is English and TV Productions teacher Raoul Zayas.

Zayas is not only a "lifer" teacher, he is the voice of the Wildcats. He is the basketball team's play-by-play announcer — the only one the school has ever had. He has called every game in the history of the school.

Why is he so dedicated?

"It's a lot of fun," said Zayas. "It started out by being good friends with Tonelli and just trying to help out.

"But it's good for the kids," he added. "I think it helps in the classroom. They see me as a guy who can let his hair down."

Zayas worked as a teacher and a coach at both Ben Hill Middle School and Robinson High School before landing at Wharton. He didn't really have any experience commentating but a 1997 email from Tonelli about helping out was the only seed that needed to be planted.

"I guess it was because Tom (Tonelli) knew about my music background, and that's why my name came up," said Zayas. "I think what sealed the deal was that we were both Cubs fans and he promised me tickets if I helped out."

Zayas is not only a former music teacher, he is also a travelling singer/songwriter with many credits to his name. He performs in town and around the world both as Butch Ryan and together with a band called the Butch Ryan Band. Zayas' music samples can be found at Butchryan.net.

Zayas remembers the good times and the bad times for Wharton basketball.

"The most painful moment I recall was losing at Lake Wales in that first year," said Zayas. "That being our first year was sort of a magical year and for it to end the way it did, that was real tough."

"The best moment probably was last year, even though we lost to Dr. Phillips in the regional final," Zayas added. "We were down by like 15 points and we just kept battling back, battling back. I think we closed it to three points before the end."

Zayas is known as a true team player.

"He's a great guy, a great teacher, just an all-around upbeat guy," said Tonelli.

Zayas is recognizable in the community, too. Tonelli cites an instance at a Lightning game the two of them attended together.

"This guy sitting in front of us turns around and says, 'Hey, you're the voice of the Wildcats!'"