Cory Thompson, one of Mundelein High School’s choral directors, was singing at the wedding of one of her husband’s friends and was happy to do it. But little did she know that the wedding would land her a 10-year gig singing the National Anthem at Chicago Cubs games.

“I was talking to husband Matt’s high school friend, Jim Oboikowich who worked for the Cubs and I told him I wanted to send in a tape to audition for the anthem,” Thompson explained. “I was surprised when he told me it was actually his job with the Cubs to coordinate the anthem and seventh inning stretch singers.” And since he would be at the wedding, Oboikowich told Thompson he would consider the wedding to be her audition. After the ceremony, he told Thompson she would definitely be on his list of singers. Shortly after that, he called to say that Wayne Messmer couldn’t do the game the next and asked Thompson to sing in his place. She sang for the first time April 25, 2006 and sang three more times that summer.

“I usually sing it the same way each time. I am a standard anthem singer - no riffs or messing around with it.  I've had a lot of compliments as I walk back up from the field, with people thanking me for just singing it, and not messing with it,” Thomspon said. “I think for those of us non-celebrities who get this opportunity, we should just do this important song justice and sing it as it was meant to be sung, not making it about ourselves as singers, but about honoring our country and all those who have served,” she said.

“I think one of the things I enjoy the most, beyond just getting the chance to sing in front of thousands of people, is the excitement of my husband every time,” she explained. “Matt grew up a Cubs fan his whole life, played baseball growing up and at Northwestern University, and is now the varsity baseball coach at Libertyville High School.  He said he had always dreamed of getting to go on the field at Wrigley, but never would have thought growing up that the way he'd get on there would be because he'd marry someone who would be singing the anthem,” she said. “He is like a kid on Christmas morning when we are at Wrigley - on high alert for celebrities and watching the team get ready for the game. It's neat to see him so star struck, when I am less knowledgeable about the players,” she said. Thompson also explained that It is cool to get to bring down their kids and have them experience all of that. And she said it is fun to walk back up the aisle to their seats and get compliments along the way.