The "Voice of the Thunderwolves" isn't just a title to Jim Brooks. It's a calling. It's a way of life.

From making up imaginary games and talking into a tape recorder as a young child, Brooks was destined to be on the mic. He was a radio head long before Radiohead. Brooks is a gym rat (or court rat, or field rat) and a student of all sports – football, basketball, baseball, golf – as much for the announcers and their styles as he was the players. He remembers historic radio and TV calls as vividly as he remembers the players who earned those calls.

Brooks has called CSU Pueblo athletics for 19 seasons, and sports in Southern Colorado since 1981. It is that dedication to his craft and his love for all things Pack-related, that earned Brooks a spot in the CSU Pueblo Sports Hall of Fame.

"Getting in is a nice reward for all the hours preparing for games, traveling to games and above all calling the games," Brooks said. "I not only considered it a job that I dedicated myself to but also treated it like a privilege to be in my position. I can't imagine the day when I am not doing it. Hopefully don't have to make that decision anytime soon."

He will be inducted on Oct. 10 along with Reco Burt (men's basketball), Rachel Espinoza (women's basketball), Bryan Hawkins (wrestling), Marcelo Laguera (cross country/track), Molly Roher (women's basketball) and Andrea Tuck (track & field).

Brooks was a standout athlete at Pueblo South High School in golf, basketball and baseball.

He then graduated from the school he now covers in 1984. He was a four-year letterwinner in golf and helped the then-Indians to a conference title in 1981.

He made his mark, however, in the broadcast booth.

"Al Albert was my anonymous mentor. I pattern my basketball call after him. He was the old voice of the Nuggets," Brooks remembered. "Marv of course his older more famous brother. As a kid I used to listen to Rangers and Royals baseball as they faded in and out on the AM dial. Denny Mathews for the Royals.  Also, Mark Holtz for old Denver Bears before he took Texas Rangers job. For football I don't have one voice I tried to emulate. Loved Bob Martin. To be honest it was more who not to be like lol!  Never wanted to be considered a homer.  I always say I know who butters my bread, but I'll be damned if I ever get labeled a two-bit homer. I am not a 'we' guy. The teams we covered were the story."

Brooks also mention the guidance and friendship of local broadcasters and producers/directors including Jeffrey Orman, Tony Wright, Greg Gaffney, Marty Bechina, Barclay Clark and Charles Hurley. He also remembered TV director/producer Scott Richards and former radio executive Scott Jones.

Brooks' list of favorite calls is as thick as an old phone book. One moment, however, stands out among the best of the best. It was in 2014, when the ThunderWolves met Minnesota State in the Division II national championship game in Kansas City.

"Hard to nail down one most memorable call. The easy one would be the 2014 NCAA football title game. Paul Browning's TD comes to mind. So many big plays on defense in that game," Brooks said. "Chadron State triple overtime win (in football) was awesome. The (Daniel Wise) punt return for touchdown against Ohio Dominican. J.B. Mathews' TD gallop down the sideline against Mines on Thursday night game a doozy.

"As for basketball I have two moments that come to mind. Ty Trahern's game winner against Adams State was epic call. But you build relationships with these players as well. My last interview with (former CSU Pueblo men's coach) Ralph Turner was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I also remember an interview with (women's basketball player) Tuileisu Anderson following final game in Amarillo when she was a freshman. We talked about her having a chance to become an all-time great. Three years later she completed her journey to becoming arguably the greatest of them all at that time."

The landscape of sports broadcasting, Brooks said, has changed. Sound quality is better. So is range as games are streamed worldwide. At the end of the day, Brooks said, it's about painting a picture to those at home or in their car.

"I always prided myself on being prepared," Brooks said. "I never mailed it in, no matter if it was a playoff game or the very last game of a forgettable season. The biggest reward is when a loved one of one of the players stops to visit with me and thank me. That is the biggest reward there is."

Jim and his wife, Lora Li have three grown children: Ryan, Henry and Carlee.

Joe E. Cervi is a former sports editor of The Pueblo Chieftain and worked at the paper for 23 years. He has been Brooks' broadcast partner on radio (since 2009) and TV (since 1999).