Linda Dorsey

By: Jeanne Tatton

Linda Dorsey – who doesn’t know that name?  Who doesn’t love her announcing?

Her initiation into the sport of BMX began in 1978 when her son Bryan began racing.  As mothers, we bonded by watching our boys race around Southern California.  And they raced in ABA, USBA, IBMXF and NBA.

When we became introduced to the National Bicycle League we bonded with Bob Tedesco and Jim Banks (then national referee).  In 1984, we strived to build an organization in California in order to have state qualifiers and a state championship in order to bring a state team to the first President’s Cup in Columbus, Ohio.  Linda was elected State Commissioner, and then Marge Rioux assumed the position for a number of years.  When Marge decided to step down, a group of five women (including Linda Dorsey) oversaw the state.  One of those women was Mary Garcia who today is still Vice Commissioner.

Linda was elected to the NBL Board of Directors in 1984.  She’s always possessed a colorful personality and I’m sure the meetings were not dull!

She assumed the announcer’s hat at the USBMX track in Azusa, Calif.  It was a great facility and she honed her announcing skills there.  She dragged Bryan and others around the state announcing at the state qualifiers and, subsequently, nationals.  I still remember how excited she was when she was invited to help announce at the NBL Grands in Louisville, Ky.  And she still announces there!  Besides the President’s Cup, the Grands is her second favorite race.

As her fame grew, so did her travels.  She became an international announcer by flying to France.  And she loves announcing the Easter Classic races in Florida as much as she announced the first World Championship Race held at Orlando in 1987…then the World Championship Race held at Waterford Oaks in 1994.  She combined that effort by announcing at the War of the Stars National at South Park the weekend before and caravanning through New York, Niagara Falls, and Canada between those weekends.  It was hard to keep up with her.

Linda always manages to highlight the little people…she’s one of the few announcers who delights in selecting the ones who show potential at an early age.  She’s always proven to be an excellent mentor to those volunteers wanting to learn how to announce.  Her contribution to the enjoyment of riders and spectators alike has not gone unnoticed.

She’s worked the towers with many famous announcers: Roger Plaskett, Jerry Harvey, Bob Lyons, Tom McMillan and Abe Schneider.  And we all look forward to hearing her voice again.

Note: Linda passed away in 2008 after a long battle with cancer. Her announcing will live on in our memories.