Photo courtesy of Britton Anderson.
Alumni gather for a post-game social in Denver during the hockey series with Denver
University in January 2023. From left are Dain Cunningham '93, Britton Anderson '10,
Chet Paris '78 and Jane Paris.
By Katie Straub
Britton Anderson and Bruce Cech joke around at the pre-game social for the Arizona State University vs. Alaska Nanooks hockey series in February 2024.
When the Alaska Nanooks hockey team scores a home game goal these days, the announcer often sounds off with a distinctive cheer — “wooo!” — and the fans echo it back.
The cheer, which rhymes with blue, began years ago with a similar but unexpected outburst from Britton Anderson as he announced a pair of exciting scores at the Carlson Center. Fans embraced the moment, turning it into a lasting tradition at Nanooks hockey games.
It’s fitting applause for a guy who has contributed in multiple ways to UAF. A 2010 graduate in information technology, Anderson was a student, staff member, adjunct faculty member, pep band member and athletics announcer.
Now, as an alum, he stays connected to UAF and returns a few times a year for hockey games.
“I don't know how many people can say that they've been affiliated with UAF in every which way you possibly can be,” Anderson said.
Anderson works as a solutions architect for Worldwide Technology, a global consulting company. He lives in Parker, Colorado, with his wife and fellow UAF graduate, Mercedes ’12, ’17, and their 3-year-old daughter, Sydney.
The Andersons pose for a family photo in Colorado in June 2024.
He credits his career success and professional connections to his experiences at UAF.
“I’ve had opportunities to work with [UAF’s] Research Computing Systems and Alaska Satellite Facility teams and ultimately lead the effort to design and implement the network systems for the research vessel Sikuliaq,” he said during an online interview from his Colorado home in June.
“I had the pleasure of sailing on the Sikuliaq’s maiden voyage,” Anderson added. “It was such an amazing experience!”
Unexpected beginnings
Anderson’s journey to UAF wasn’t straightforward.
Initially, he planned to enter the trades after graduating from a Kenai Peninsula high school in 2007. However, a trip to Fairbanks for the Alaska all-state music festival changed his course. Impressed by his talent, UAF music faculty members encouraged him to join their program.
“I was a percussionist — well, still am frankly,” Anderson said. “The percussion director at the time, Scott Deal, recruited me to come there for percussion and music technology, which was like a combination of my two passions.”
However, Deal left UAF before Anderson’s senior year in high school, forcing him to reconsider his options. Without a strong tie to the music program and the idea of