Former Darmstadt 98 stadium announcer presents his book “Gude, ihr Labbe” at the Böllenfalltor stadium
By Stephan Köhnlein
Finally, something to laugh about at the Böllenfalltor! After SV Darmstadt 98's rather bleak end to the season, Peter Kunz brought plenty of cheer to the Business Lounge of the Merck Stadium during the football summer break with the premiere reading of his book "Gude, ihr Labbe – Humor ist Chefsache" – and also a few thoughtful and nostalgic moments.
For over 15 years, Kunz was the stadium announcer for Darmstadt 98. But that's just one of his many jobs: civil engineer, presenter, singer, comedian, and now also author – the man in his mid-fifties looks back on an eventful life and still has plenty planned. "Overconfidence is my guiding principle," he says, explaining why he's done so many different things, even though he wasn't always born with the talent and had to work hard for everything he's achieved. It's this mix of tenacity and self-irony that makes Kunz so special.
In a one-two with HR legend Dirk Schmitt
That evening in the stadium's VIP area, he banters back and forth with Dirk Schmitt, who for almost four decades was the voice of Hessian Broadcasting's football commentary. The reading, before an audience of around 250, quickly develops into what it truly is: a stage show by two men who have honed their craft behind the microphone. There is some reading, of course, but above all, it's storytelling.
And it's precisely the old Böllenfalltor stadium that provides the best stories. Back then, when Kunz would stand on the running track with a loudspeaker, announcing the starting lineup, and children would play football in the dilapidated, half-empty stadium. The cake was supposedly placed in such a low corner of the buffet that the tall and powerful Kunz had to be realigned by the physiotherapist after dessert. "Today, around 50 people work for the club, but back then things were much more informal," he says.
Humor as a craft
Of course, mishaps are part of the story too. Like that memorable afternoon when Michael Sadler, frontman of the world-famous band Saga, was supposed to perform during the intermission – and was simply forgotten. Kunz doesn't recount such episodes as heroic tales, but rather with the self-irony of someone who knows that mistakes often lead to the best punchlines.
Humor seems to be less about inspiration for him than about skill. Good jokes stick, bad ones he discards. This is how an engineer worked his way up to stand-up comedian, landed a spot at the Quatsch Comedy Club, and captivated millions with his social media series "Hessian for Beginners." Stage fright? Not a chance. Whether stadium announcer or comedian – his pulse remains calm.
Woodcarver or table dancer next?
Kunz thrives on his down-to-earth Hessian roots. Schmitt sums it up perfectly: "Peter Kunz represents all of Hesse." Perhaps this is also because his jokes never come across as condescending. They arise on an equal footing – somewhere between the village square and the Bundesliga, between overconfidence and self-irony. Against this backdrop, his varied career path seems almost logical. What's next? Maybe woodcarving, he jokes. Or table dancing – but only with a sturdy table, he adds with a grin, alluding to his impressive physique.
In the end, the impression remains that this evening was less a book launch than a homecoming. One that never truly left the Böllenfalltor. Because some voices never fall silent. They merely change stage.
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Photos: Stephan Köhnlein
