Messmer sings national anthem at Geneva/Batavia game

Sporting events between rivals Geneva and Batavia don't usually need anything extra to boost the atmosphere, but Thursday's doubleheader boys' and girls' basketball games got just that when Wayne Messmer sang the national anthem before both games.

Messmer, known for his renditions of the anthem he used to sing before Chicago Blackhawks games and more recently for the Cubs and Wolves, said before the game he was looking forward to the energy in the Geneva High School gymnasium.

"To me, you just can't beat the electric atmosphere of a great high school basketball game," Messmer said. "This is something that I truly enjoy being a part of. I am excited to start things off with a respectfully rousing rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' to set the stage for these games that are sure to be filled with plenty of emotion and excitement."