The spotlight shined on two of New Orleans’ most beloved and respected families Thursday.
In recognition of their decades of invaluable service and behind-the-scenes work, the Ehrhardt and Romig families were inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation’s Hall of Fame at the foundation’s annual honors luncheon at the Superdome.
A who’s who of New Orleans sports, business and hospitality leaders turned out to honor the Ehrhardts and Romigs, who have been key players on the New Orleans sports scene since their family patriarchs, Malcolm P. Ehrhardt III (1947–2022) and Jerry Romig (1929-2015), began their respective careers in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their efforts in various communications, public relations and operational roles have shaped the fan experience, communications and operations behind some of New Orleans’ most iconic teams and sporting events, including the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowls, NCAA championships and other major events.
Marc and Malcolm Ehrhardt have been key members of the New Orleans public relations and communications sector for decades. Through their firm, The Ehrhardt Group, the Ehrhardts have coordinated high-profile public relations campaigns and communication strategies for many of the major sporting events in the city, including Super Bowls, NCAA Final Fours and Wrestlemanias.
Former St. Augustine High School, LSU and New Orleans Saints standout Tyrann Mathieu was recognized with the legacy award. Mary Boler, the founder of the Parents Outreach Network for Youths program, received the volunteer award for her decades of volunteer service. And the 18th Ward received the in service of sports award.
“Today, the tables are turned,” said David Sherman, a founding member and longtime member of foundation’s executive committee. “Today we are not asking the Ehrhardts or the Romig family to stand up and make somebody else look good. Today several of us on this stage have the true honor and privilege of making all of them look good.”
The Ehrhardt and Romig families join a prestigious group of previous Hall of Fame honorees that includes Gayle and Tom Benson, John Alario, Jay Cicero and Dennis Lauscha.
“It was a no brainer, to induct these two amazing families,” Sherman said. “We have the best sports foundation in the country, and the Romigs and Ehrhardts have played an instrumental role in promoting the foundation and enhancing its reputation.”
Jerry Romig worked for decades as a sports journalist at The Times-Picayune and WDSU-TV, where he eventually became program director. He served as the in-stadium public-address announcer for New Orleans Saints home games for 44 years and 446 consecutive homes games, one of the longest tenures in NFL history
Since 2013, Mark Romig has been the public address announcer for Saints’ home games, succeeding his father in that role. A board member of the Sports Foundation, Romig has a long history of service to the organization and its events. He’s also a member of the Fore!Kids Foundation, which produces the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Mary Beth Romig Haskins currently serves as associate vice president of communications and public relations for New Orleans & Company, where she has helped promote and showcase New Orleans during some of its biggest sporting events, including Super Bowl LIX in 2025. Since 1992, she has served as a spotter for the in-house announcing team at Saints’ home games.
Jay Romig joined the Saints in 1977 as an assistant athletic trainer before taking on leadership roles across football operations, business operations and technology. He has served as the clock operator at UNO men’s and women’s home basketball games for decades and the scoreboard operator at the Superdome for multiple Super Bowls. He is in his 50th year with the Saints, making him the organization’s longest-tenured employee.
“That family is so uniquely New Orleans and to have it associated synonymously with the Saints football and with the Superdome since 1969 is remarkable,” said longtime Superdome manager Doug Thornton, during a video tribute to the Romigs.
Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson presented the Romigs for induction and endearingly referred to Jay Romig as the Saints’ “vice president of everything,” adding “there is no one more beloved, entrusted or respected” in the Saints organization.
“It is especially fitting that we recognize the Romig family because their love for New Orleans and commitment to serving this community have always been a family tradition,” Benson said. “The Romigs are synonymous with sports in New Orleans and their many contributions are too numerous to list. … That sense of commitment and passion is part of the DNA of the Romig family, not just when it comes to sports, but in service to New Orleans and its people.”
Jay Romig grew emotional during his acceptance speech, while recognizing his parents, the late Jerry Romig, and the family matriarch, Janice, 95, who was seated in the front row of tables on the Superdome floor.
“All three of us (children), different jobs, different paths, but the same lesson from mom and dad: Serve your community; Do your job well; And leave the place a little better than you found it,” Romig said. “… For the Romig family, New Orleans has given us far more than we could ever give back.”
In addition to their enduring presence at various New Orleans sporting events, the Romigs were universally hailed Thursday for their infectious optimism and positive attitudes, traits they inherited from their loving parents.
While never holding the title, the Romigs have served as unofficial New Orleans ambassadors for decades, the embodiments of what makes our city so special. .
The Romigs aren’t just from New Orleans. They are New Orleans.
