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Togerson in as new voice of San Diego Seals
Looks to keep The Electric Factory cranked up
When Pechanga Arena hosts San Diego Seals games, it transforms into what’s known as “The Electric Factory.” That is due in no small part to Steven "Woodsy" Woods, who has been the professional lacrosse team's PA announcer ever since it started in 2017. But in April of this year, the longtime voice of the Seals announced that the 2025 season would be his last. Now stepping up to the horn is NBC San Diego sports anchor Derek Togerson.
With 28 years of experience in sports journalism — and 20 of those years in San Diego — Togerson is the man the Seals will rely on to keep The Electric Factory juiced up. “Anyone who has met me,” Togerson tells me, “will tell you I’m not low energy. Woodsy did a great job of setting up the atmosphere in there. That’s one of the big reasons it’s called The Electric Factory. The foundation is definitely set, so it’s about, 'What can we do now? How I can put my personal spin on things?'”
For Togerson, it’s a new way of expressing his love for the sport of lacrosse while doing something new. “It’s something I’ve never really dove into before,” he says. “I’ve always loved the idea of public address announcing. It’s an art form, as far as I’m concerned. You have to really understand and read the vibe of a crowd and have the energy up, especially for something like the National Lacrosse League. When I saw the opportunity pop up, I said, ‘You know what, that’s something that I’ve always had in the back of my head. Might as well go ahead and give it a shot and try to scratch that itch.’ I’m really looking forward to it.”
As a theater major in college, Togerson says he always loved being on stage and having a live audience — and that was the element he felt was missing from his career. “I love sports, writing, and performing,” says the multi-Emmy Award-winning sports journalist. “I get to put all those things together doing sports on TV, but I don’t have the live audience aspect of it that I’ve been really missing and craving. I love the immediate feedback you get from a live crowd. There’s just nothing like it.”
Togerson has covered the Seals since their 2017 arrival. Now, he gets to be a major part of a sports organization that is glad to have in this city. “Ever since the Chargers left,” he says, “I have really wanted to make sure that I’m covering and supporting teams that show they want to be in San Diego. The Seals showed that right from the very beginning. They want to be a part of this community. They’ve done a fantastic job at that. Now, being a part of an organization that really wants to be in the city I absolutely love and raise my kids in is just cool for me.”
As for The Electric Factory, it has been a nightmare for opposing teams in recent years. Since the 2022-23 season, the Seals hold an impressive 21-6 record in home games. Fans, no doubt, have everything to do with that kind of success. Says Togerson, “As a fan of lacrosse and a big fan of the San Diego Seals, I’m looking forward to enjoying the games as a fan with the fans. The most fun part for me is going to be able to truly get into it and just immerse myself in the experience that is a Seals game. I’ve told people since the Seals arrived, the best unknown great time in San Diego is a San Diego Seals game. You don’t need to know the ins or the outs [of lacrosse], the energy is so much fun that once you get in there, you will instantly be hooked.”
Togerson’s debut will be on December 14 when the Seals open The Electric Factory against the Rochester Knighthawks. “Let’s have some fun yelling and getting hoarse together,” he says.
Here's something you might be interested in.
Togerson in as new voice of San Diego Seals
Looks to keep The Electric Factory cranked up
Togerson in as new voice of San Diego Seals
Looks to keep The Electric Factory cranked up
When Pechanga Arena hosts San Diego Seals games, it transforms into what’s known as “The Electric Factory.” That is due in no small part to Steven "Woodsy" Woods, who has been the professional lacrosse team's PA announcer ever since it started in 2017. But in April of this year, the longtime voice of the Seals announced that the 2025 season would be his last. Now stepping up to the horn is NBC San Diego sports anchor Derek Togerson.
With 28 years of experience in sports journalism — and 20 of those years in San Diego — Togerson is the man the Seals will rely on to keep The Electric Factory juiced up. “Anyone who has met me,” Togerson tells me, “will tell you I’m not low energy. Woodsy did a great job of setting up the atmosphere in there. That’s one of the big reasons it’s called The Electric Factory. The foundation is definitely set, so it’s about, 'What can we do now? How I can put my personal spin on things?'”
For Togerson, it’s a new way of expressing his love for the sport of lacrosse while doing something new. “It’s something I’ve never really dove into before,” he says. “I’ve always loved the idea of public address announcing. It’s an art form, as far as I’m concerned. You have to really understand and read the vibe of a crowd and have the energy up, especially for something like the National Lacrosse League. When I saw the opportunity pop up, I said, ‘You know what, that’s something that I’ve always had in the back of my head. Might as well go ahead and give it a shot and try to scratch that itch.’ I’m really looking forward to it.”
As a theater major in college, Togerson says he always loved being on stage and having a live audience — and that was the element he felt was missing from his career. “I love sports, writing, and performing,” says the multi-Emmy Award-winning sports journalist. “I get to put all those things together doing sports on TV, but I don’t have the live audience aspect of it that I’ve been really missing and craving. I love the immediate feedback you get from a live crowd. There’s just nothing like it.”
Togerson has covered the Seals since their 2017 arrival. Now, he gets to be a major part of a sports organization that is glad to have in this city. “Ever since the Chargers left,” he says, “I have really wanted to make sure that I’m covering and supporting teams that show they want to be in San Diego. The Seals showed that right from the very beginning. They want to be a part of this community. They’ve done a fantastic job at that. Now, being a part of an organization that really wants to be in the city I absolutely love and raise my kids in is just cool for me.”
As for The Electric Factory, it has been a nightmare for opposing teams in recent years. Since the 2022-23 season, the Seals hold an impressive 21-6 record in home games. Fans, no doubt, have everything to do with that kind of success. Says Togerson, “As a fan of lacrosse and a big fan of the San Diego Seals, I’m looking forward to enjoying the games as a fan with the fans. The most fun part for me is going to be able to truly get into it and just immerse myself in the experience that is a Seals game. I’ve told people since the Seals arrived, the best unknown great time in San Diego is a San Diego Seals game. You don’t need to know the ins or the outs [of lacrosse], the energy is so much fun that once you get in there, you will instantly be hooked.”
Togerson’s debut will be on December 14 when the Seals open The Electric Factory against the Rochester Knighthawks. “Let’s have some fun yelling and getting hoarse together,” he says.
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