The Voice February 2013 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPORTS PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCERS

Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the Year Nominations Now Accepted

A P.A. announcer is not a cheerleader, the following; 1) INSIDE or a circus barker, or a hometown school’s athletic screecher. He’s a reporter.” This is the late director, Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of Bob Sheppard’s definition. Bob Sheppard 2) sports infor- the Year Nominations Now Accepted 1 was the New York Yankees’ Stadium mation director,

“Announcer from 1951-2007, and is consid- or 3) a head Credit: Getty Images California Interscholastic Federation ered to be the greatest P.A. announcer, ever. coach. College Becomes NASPAA Affiliate Member 2 The NASPAA’s P.A. announcer of the year announcers who award is named after Bob Sheppard. do not announce New Member Feature: Dale Carter 3 for a school may “The Bob Sheppard be nominated by Basketball P.A. Announcing Quiz 4 P.A. Announcer of the their respective The State Wrestling Experience 5 Year Award represents conference, what Bob Sheppard league or associa- Bob Sheppard NASPAA and NIAAA Meet 7 and the NASPAA are tion. Nominations all about, which is for amateur non-school P.A. announcers NASPAA to Produce New professionalism,” must be submitted by the coach of the P.A. Announcing Manual 7 commented Brad nominee’s team or sponsoring organization. Rumble, NASPAA Countdown to Tip-off 8 Executive Director. Each nominee must submit an mp3 file of “We are truly humbled him/her announcing a game or event live. Wrestling with Personal to have the right to The requirements for the mp3 file are speci- Announcements 9 Brad Rumble carry on his legacy by fied on the Awards page on the NASPAA naming our award after him.” website at www.naspaa.net. Nominees will Basketball P.A. Announcing be judged on being clear, concise, correct, Quiz Answers 10 The Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of voice quality and announcing (i.e., delivery the Year Award is given annually to an and style and adherence to proper ethics- 2013-14 High School Volleyball announcer at each of the following levels: -see NASPAA Code of Conduct), as well as Rules Changes Announced 11 high school, junior college, NAIA, NCAA professionalism. The selection committee and non-school amateur. High school and will only consider nominees who demon- Affiliate Members 12 college student announcers are also eligible strate the qualities of Bob Sheppard. Being for the award. over the top when making home team in- troductions and their plays, i.e., three point Board of Directors The nomination form for high school baskets, first downs and touchdowns, etc., brad rumble nominees must be submitted by the or not announcing information correctly, i.e., president & executive director nominee’s athletic director. If a high school “and one,” when a basketball player makes tom busch nominee does not announce for a school, a field goal and is fouled--instead of saying, secretary the nomination form may be submitted “shooting one,” etc. jeff kurtz by the nominee’s respective state high p.a. announcer, kent state university school association. Nominations for college “As a public address announcer, being men- mark mills announcers must be submitted by one of tioned in the same breath as Bob Sheppard p.a. announcer, missouri state high school activities association is like being compared to John Wooden, Walt Alston or Vince Lombardi as a coach, gary williams Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the stadium announcer, oakland raiders Year Award Sponsored by Clell Wade or Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan or Jim Brown Coaches Directory and Balfour. as an athlete,” remarked Jeff Kurtz, NASPAA Board Member and Kent State University P.A. Announcer. “There could be no higher form of praise in this field. It means you are NASPAA Copyright Statement recognized as one of the best at what you This newsletter is copyrighted. Therefore, none of do. The standard for the award is high for the content contained herein may be reproduced, a reason. Even though Bob Sheppard was shared in part or whole, without the express written one of a kind, that does not mean that P.A. permission of the NASPAA, unless in one of the announcers cannot be like him. Those are articles the NASPAA indicates that it can be shared. the individuals who we’re seeking to honor.” California Interscholastic Federation Becomes NASPAA Affiliate Member The Voice

he California announcers and administrators on the they need to understand their role and Interscholastic same page concerning P.A. announcing. represent their schools with class. Having TFederation has The CIF’s P.A. announcing expectations, a good voice and years of experience become an Affiliate along with NASPAA’s training, education does not mean that a P.A. announcer is Member of the Na- and professional development will greatly good. Announcing properly is more impor- tional Association of enhance that possibility.” tant. That’s where the NASPAA can help.” Sports Public Address Announcers (NASPAA). “The CIF is excited Approximately 1,523 schools are to partner with the members of the CIF. During the 2012-13 “We are delighted NASPAA and help school year, more than 800,000 boys and that the CIF has raise the level of girls will compete in athletic programs of become an Af- professionalism CIF member schools. The CIF conducts 17 filiate Member,” of P.A. announc- regional and state championships each commented Brad ers,” remarked calendar year. Established in 1914, the Rumble, NASPAA Roger Blake, CIF CIF governs California interscholastic ath- Executive Director. Executive Director. letics, promoting equity, quality, character “As the CIF’s “Because P.A. and academic development. P.A. announcing announcers are an resource, we can important part of Roger Blake, CIF For more information about the CIF, help put its P.A. our athletic events, Executive Director go to www.cif.org. Brad Rumble

Bob Sheppard P.A. ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR WANTED The NASPAA is seeking nominations for the Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the Year. Only NASPAA members are eligible. >>>>>> NOMINATION DEADLINE: August 1, 2013 <<<<<<

“P.A. announcers who follow the NASPAA Code of Conduct will definitely enhance their chances for consideration,” commented Glen Waddle, NASPAA NCAA P.A. Announcer of the Year. “Yelling and being over the top won’t cut it.”

“The NASPAA Awards Program is a tremendous membership benefit,” remarked Brian McKiernen, NASPAA High School P.A. Announcer of the Year. Information about the Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the Year Award may be obtained at www.naspaa.net.

2 New Member Feature Allow Me to Introduce Myself DALE CARTER Stadium Announcer, Kansas City Chiefs The Voice rowing up in never done PA. I had never even really Sometimes it’s on OUR team!! I’m sure I Evansville, paid attention to it. The Chiefs had me have called Chiefs DE Ropati Pitoitua about GIndiana, my set up at Kauffman Stadium (home of the three different names!! dream was to be Kansas City Royals) because Arrowhead the play-by-play was being renovated. They ran a video of a Nothing beats the thrills of announcing an voice of either Chiefs game from the last year and had me NFL game when the home team is winning. the Chicago Cubs announce as if it was real. The Angels were My highlight was the 2011 game when or the Dallas in town for a game and were having batting the Chiefs upset the Green Bay Packers at Cowboys!! I got practice while I was doing this. I’m sure Arrowhead. EVERYTHING went right that some advice from they wondered what was going on!! I guess day. The LOWLIGHT was the following week a local high school I passed the test because I have been with when we lost to the Raiders. In that game play-by-play man to offer to do ANYTHING the Chiefs for four seasons now!! there were more penalties than first downs. to get into a radio station. That first job We still had a chance to win the game with was Sunday overnights at WROZ-AM in When I started announcing for the Chiefs a field goal at the end. The game was tied Evansville playing country music in 1979. I was VERY basic. In fact, I thought my 13-13. The field goal was blocked. I put While sports announcing has always been role was to be the narrator of the game. my head down... figured we had lost and part of what I do, my 30+ year career has I have since learned that my role is to be read the “WE LOSE” copy for the end of the mostly been in Country radio. I was elected the vocal cheerleader for the team!! It’s my game. The director began screaming in my to the Country Radio Broadcasters Hall of job to pump up the crowd when we need ear to STOP THE ANNOUNCE!! Of course, Fame in 2011 for a career that has taken them on 3rd and long. My signature call is we were going to OT. Ooops... it was my me from Evansville to Hartford and, for the when the other team has the ball on 3rd Southwest Airlines “wanna get away” mo- past 18 years, Program Director and morn- down. I say something like, “From the 35 ment! We ended up losing three plays later ing guy for KFKF - Kansas City. yard line... it’s... THIRD.... DOWWWWWN”. in overtime so I read it anyway... Nothing beats having 70,000 fans roar Throughout my career I have done high on cue when I do that!!! Because Chiefs’ Looking ahead to the 2013 season we school football and basketball play-by-play football is a business, its P.A. announcing have Andy Reid and the number one pick in and even some college basketball. For philosophy is different than at other levels, the draft. I’m ready to follow the Colts and the past 8 years I have been the voice of in particular at the high school level where turn that 2-14 year into a playoff run!!! GO Blue Springs and Blue Springs South High the foundation of their P.A. announcing phi- CHIEFS!!! Schools in Missouri. losophy is not about business, but rather is education based with the focus being the Sponsored by It’s interesting who you meet along the way. student athletes. Clell Wade Coaches Directory When I got to Kansas City in 1995, I was working with local concert promoter Tammy The job is challenging at times... especially Fruits. Tammy eventually became a VP with in pre-season when it seems like each the Kansas City Chiefs. When they were team has 150 players. Sometimes it’s hard looking for a new stadium PA announcer to catch up. Even when the roster is only in 2009, she called me. Honestly, I had 53 there are pronunciation challenges.

Credit: Kansas City Chiefs

3 Basketball P.A. Announcing Quiz The Voice

D. Traveling onsistency in P.A. announcing is 6. When a player substitutes for another important. Below are some questions player, the name of the player entering E. Three seconds in the lane Cthat are intended to help promote the game and the player leaving the F. Over and back greater consistency in basketball. The game must be announced. When answers are on page 10. introducing the starting lineup, the G. Basket interference home team’s coach and the visiting H. Flagrant foul 1. A The “One Minute Remaining” an- team’s coach can request the order that nouncement should be made at the end they would like their players introduced I. Illegal screen of the first half and at the end of a high instead of the order the players are J. Double dribble school and college game. True or False listed in the official scorebook. Each assist should be announced. K. Palming 2. When a player commits a technical, the L. 10 seconds announcement should indicate that a 7. When introducing the starting lineup, M. 5-second count technical foul has been called, but not the home team’s coach and the visiting identify the player who committed the team’s coach can request the order that N. Block/charge technical foul. True or False they would like their players introduced O. Stepping out of bounds instead of the order the players are 3. Unless there are league or conference listed in the official scorebook. P. Stepping over the line (free throw) rules, the visiting team’s starters would Q. Hometown of the officials be introduced first or a visiting player 8. Each assist should be announced. could be introduced, followed by a home R. Held ball team player. True or False 9. When a player dunks, announcements S. Intentional foul such as, “Johnson with the jam,” or 4. The only time an announcement for a Thompson throwing it down,” are ac- T. Length of a timeout (30 second or two-point basket is to be made is when ceptable. full, or media timeout in college) the shot is a borderline three. U. Shot clock violation (college) True or False 10. Which of the following should not be announced? V. None of the above 5. Announcing once the official presents A. Rebounds W. All of the above the ball to the free throw shooter is ac- B. Blocked shots ceptable, provided the announcement is the information about the foul. C. Change of possession True or False

4 The State Wrestling Experience By Chuck Larsen, CPAA Eustis, NE The Voice

ince 1996, I’ve been announcing the enabling all four classes to wrestle simulta- Credit: Champ Shots Nebraska High School State Wrestling neously Friday night and all day Saturday. STournament. It is a great honor, and At that time, our individual responsibility I don’t take it for granted. I was a radio goes from assigning four mats to two. The broadcaster from 1971-2004, and over hours are long, the atmosphere is intense, the years have done baseball, softball and the crowds are huge and the sound system wrestling play-by-play and P.A. announcing, is incredible! Large venue systems boom as well as emceeing various events. How- unlike any high school gym or ball field ever, the state wrestling tournament tops system you’ve ever been around. I prefer every assignment I’ve ever been fortunate using my own headset mic. The individuals enough to receive. in charge of audio who reside way up in their master control perch have always One night, at the local club wrestling been a pleasure to work with. practice with my son, the high school coach told me the previous night he had attended Like any other assignment, preparation is the annual mandatory state high school a must. With 16 wrestlers in each of the “Parade of Champions.” I will discuss that association preseason wrestling rules 14 weight classes, I’m responsible for an- round shortly. meeting. The clinician, who was the state nouncing 224 names correctly. The district association’s state tournament director, tournaments that determine the state With four announcers working at one time, said they were going to add two P.A. qualifiers conclude on the Saturday prior we want to avoid talking over each other at announcers to the existing duo. The goal to the beginning of state so the timeline all costs. At The Devaney Center in Lincoln, was to have a single announcer do each is short. Saturday night I make an email we sat four abreast. We could easily see class (A, B, C and D) of schools. That’s all I request to my contact at the state associa- each other. Things are more complicated needed to hear. tion office for the “B” entries (grouped by since we moved to The Qwest Center in school). I receive them Sunday and first Omaha two years ago. Now we sit in pairs, The next day I wrote a letter to the tourna- thing Monday morning begin calling each one behind the other. Coordination is the ment director and included my resume. school to learn the pronunciation of each key, and it requires concentration in a Two weeks later I received a phone call wrestler’s name. This is a laborious, time- very noisy, hectic environment. In order to and a few days after that I received my first consuming process but it’s the only option. ensure the correct matches are assigned invitation to do the Nebraska Class B State There’s no way to do it at the tournament. I to the proper mat on Friday night, I use Wrestling Tournament. Since , I’ve worked make a master list with phonetic spellings a highlighter to mark “Consolation” and for three different tournament directors of all the names that might cause me “Championship.” The same holds true for and during that time four other announcers problems. When I’m given a stack of match the medal rounds on Saturday morning have come and gone. Ladies take note. cards prior to each session, I refer to my list when those still in contention wrestle for One of the Nebraska State High School and write the phonetic spelling directly on third and fifth. State Wrestling Tournament announcers is the cards. I’m sure this has provided some female. laughs for the table workers, but it helps Now, back to the “Parade of Champions.” me a lot. Scripts are provided to use for the opening The tournament runs three days. It starts at of each session. We take turns reading 8:30 Thursday morning and goes through When Friday night rolls around, the atmo- them. I’ve been privileged to read the 6:00 Saturday night. We work in pairs (A sphere is electric. In my opinion, Friday “Parade” script several times. The first time and D, B and C) using eight mats Thursday night is far more exciting than the finals. I had only an hour’s notice. I’m a former and until 6:00 p.m. on Friday. By then, Because of what’s on the line, the wrestling wrestler, my son wrestled and I’ve been enough wrestlers have been eliminated, is especially intense. All four announcers around the sport a lot, so I knew what are assigning two mats the participants had invested in sacrifice, each, including one for blood, sweat and tears to be able to reach Credit: NFHS consolation matches. The the finals. Call me unprofessional, but I winners of those matches was so overwhelmed with emotion the will earn a third, fourth, first time I rehearsed the script quietly to fifth or sixth place medal. myself I knew I had to find a place where Losers are done for the I could rehearse out loud without making season, but for seniors, the a blubbering fool of myself. I finally reality is that their careers decided to go to my car, even though the are over. The other mat is temperature was a mere 10 degrees that for semifinal matches. The day. After reading it over and over, I got losers will drop into the to the point where I could read the whole wrestle backs and try for script properly without choking up. After third place. The winners being introduced, the wrestlers enter the will be in the finals and hall to Queen’s pounding rock anthem “We participate in the dramatic Are the Champions.” 5 continued on p.6 The State Wrestling Experience, continued from page 5 The Voice

When they march in, the crowd rises to its the runner standing in front of you. Credit: NFHS feet, applauds and goes berserk! I have been told that a representative from the The state tournament differs from most National Federation of State High School other events because there are promos to Associations attended the Nebraska read for the state association’s “partners.” State High School Wrestling Tournament When you read these, they must be read several years ago and said that it was one with conviction. When doing so, you’re a of the best ceremonies he’d seen during promo spokesperson. Sell it! his travels. Saturday afternoon is when the champions are crowned. We each The state wrestling tournament has led to have only a single mat to announce and other plum wrestling assignments such as the tempo is very slow until we reach the The Nebraska Duals and various district awards ceremony. The slow tempo is due wrestling tournaments. If you’re willing to to the fact Public Television televises the travel, the number of opportunities avail- finals and TV, like radio, has its own way of able to you will increase. If there’s a job you doing things. The irony is that we start at want (as long as it isn’t mine), I suggest 2:00 p.m. and they require us to be done you apply for it. People retire, become ill, by 6:00 p.m. With injury time, blood time people move away and people get fired. and overtime periods lengthening matches, Identify the decision maker and let him or we’re expected to really get it on and roll her know who you are and what experience at a rapid pace to make up time when it you have to offer. Always prepare, always comes to awarding the hardware. give your best effort and always dress the part. Remember, the A.D. for whom you  We work with runners (high school work local tournaments or duals could be cheerleaders called mat assistants) to take an excellent reference if the state associa- match cards to and from each mat. Treat tion begins considering you. In addition, your runners with respect and good humor. when state association decision makers 5. Have adequate supplies in your brief- They may or may not have much experience are out and about evaluating referees, they case. A pro comes prepared and doesn’t doing the job at hand. When there’s a may hear you announcing. need to borrow a thing. forfeit on a mat you’re assigning explain to the runner that you’ll be sending two match Listed below are some tips and observa- 6. Have some bottled water handy. You’ll cards on her next trip. Explain why and how tions that I would like to share with you appreciate it when your throat gets dry. she should handle it. As a session nears based on my experience announcing the the end, the tournament director may move state wrestling tournament: 7. Don’t lose your credentials! How awk- matches normally assigned to a particular ward would it be to not be able to gain entry mat to another to keep things moving. If 1. Whatever mic you use be sure to sit to the floor at the venue because you could there are mat changes for the class you are up straight and use your diaphragm. Your not get past security? working, be sure to fully explain that also. voice is your “instrument.” It’s one thing to announce a forfeit or a mat The people you meet and have the op- change to the crowd. Take time to make eye 2. If you want to actually watch a lot of portunity to work with at state are fantastic. contact and explain each situation fully to matches, the state tournament is not the An added perk that I really look forward to place to be a P.A. an- at the state tournament is that we are well nouncer. We’re too busy fed! working to watch much. The state tournament experience is 3. If you’re away from wonderful, and I’d recommend it to any home working a multi-day P.A. announcer who enjoys the sport. It event, be sure to bring truly is the pinnacle event for high school extra clothes to change wrestling. into in case something is Larsen has been a public address announcer for 21 spilled on you. years. In addition to working regular season events, he has worked area and state American Legion 4. If you’re paid for Baseball Tournaments, district high school softball announcing, save the tournaments and is the voice of the Nebraska receipts from your State High School Softball Tournaments. In real expenses. They’re life, Chuck and his wife, Jude, own and operate a deductible. gourmet pie business.

Credit: NFHS 6 NASPAA and NIAAA Meet The Voice

n January 29, Brad been providing its resources certification Rumble, NASPAA to the NIAAA since we course will be OExecutive Director and launched the course nine able to obtain Jeff Kurtz, NASPAA Board years ago. The NASPAA has college credit, Member and Kent State P.A. been a loyal partner of the which is an Announcer, met with Bruce NIAAA.” additional in- Whitehead, NIAAA Executive centive to take Director, at the NIAAA’s office A new resource being made the certification in Indianapolis. The purpose available to the NIAAA is course. of the meeting was to explore the NASPAA Online P.A. An- opportunities that would nouncing Course. While the “While the enhance both organizations’ course is intended for P.A. mission of working relationship. The announcers, it is clear that the NASPAA NIAAA is an NASPAA Affiliate athletic administrators would is to raise the Member. Bruce Whitehead also benefit from its content. level of profes- Jeff Kurtz Therefore, the course will be offered to sionalism, one of our goals is to increase “The NASPAA is our Official P.A. An- NIAAA members in conjunction with NIAAA consistency in P.A. announcing,” remarked nouncing Resource for good reason,” Leadership Training Course 625 as an Jeff Kurtz. “For that to happen, P.A. an- commented Bruce Whitehead. “It not only option to those administrators who take nouncers and athletic administrators need wrote NIAAA Leadership Training Course 625. Since many athletic administrators to be on the same page. By the NASPAA 625, Athletic Administration: Management are required to obtain CEUs each year, and the NIAAA working together, that pos- of Game and Event Announcing, but has NIAAA members who take the NASPAA sibility is greater than ever before.”

CominG NASPAA to Produce New Soon ! P.A. Announcing Manual

he NASPAA, with a little help from its development team to professional sports with nearly 1,000 years friends, is going to produce a new P.A. provide the content of combined P.A. announcing experience Tannouncing manual. The information for administrators. speaks to the credibility of the manual. that will be included in the manual will The manual is definitely not based on the benefit P.A. announcers, as well as athletic “Our content reflects P.A. announcing experience of one or two administrators. Getting P.A. announcers the P.A. announcing individuals with some P.A. announcing and administrators on the same page philosophies and experience and no national credibility. It is concerning P.A. announcing will now be core values of key truly a team effort.” possible with the manual. national and state associations and “Our P.A. announcing manual will be the Nearly 100 NASPAA members have been organizations, many finest resource of its kind ever written,” invited to help write the manual. Each Mark Mills of which are NASPAA remarked Brad Rumble, NASPAA Executive member is on a development team to Affiliate Members,” Director. “Instead of having to buy an provide the content for how to announce commented Mark Mills, NASPAA Board individual manual for each sport, our a particular sport. Currently, there are Member. “The fact that administrators manual will include all school sports, and 23 development teams, which does not and nearly 100 NASPAA members who more, along with sample scripts...and it will include administrators who are on the announce youth, high school, college and be reasonably priced!”

Spire Interactive—Official E-Learning Provider of the NASPAA

7 Countdown to Tip-off By Jeff Smith, TCU P.A. Announcer, Fort Worth, TX The Voice

responsible for the game day presentation, I’m all about fun, but at the same time real- and it has come a long way since my first ize the P.A. announcer’s job is an important year. If you are new to this exciting line of part of the game. The tips I’ve shared work work, here is an idea on how to prepare well for me, and can work for you too. Have yourself for the game. fun, and enjoy the game.

I like to arrive early, between 1-1.5 hours Having a timeline is imperative for staying before game time. This allows me to set up on time. At the bottom is a sample of the the laptop, run cables to the sound system, timeline that I use when I announce a test the microphone, and start organizing Burleson High School basketball game. announcements. A good announcer always Smith announces for the TCU Horned Frogs introduces himself to the visiting coaching covering baseball, women’s basketball, women’s Credit: TCU Athletics staff to go over the roster and get the start- soccer and volleyball, swimming and diving, ing lineup. Of course, you should already and is the internal P.A. announcer for TCU t is nearly game time, but have you have a good relationship with the home football. Now in his 29th season, he also prepared yourself for the events leading team head coach and staff. I’ve pre-loaded announces for the CHL’s Fort Worth Brahmas Iup to tip-off? onto my laptop warm-up music (which has Hockey team (Fort Worth, TX), the Burleson been screened for appropriateness) prior to ISD Athletic Department (Burleson, TX), as I’ve been announcing basketball for some the event. The coaches and players all have well as the Fort Worth ISD (Fort Worth, TX). time now, but looking back to my first game, their favorites. He is the 2012 College Bob Sheppard P.A. I remember trying to be organized and ap- Announcer of the Year. pear to have an idea of what I was doing. The National Anthem is also loaded onto the PC as well, in case it is not performed All that was expected that first year was to live by a student. Prior to announcing the announce the National Anthem, the starting National Anthem, be sure the singer is line-ups, and acknowledge the scoring and present. Veteran announcers can tell you Watching student athletes compete is the reason fouls. As I became more comfortable with the number of times when a scheduled fans attend games and events. the job, the responsibilities increased as performer never showed and left them Credit: NFHS well. The booster club needed an announce- hanging. So, it’s always good to have a ment, the cheerleaders and drill teams backup ready. wanted recognition, concessions needed a plug and friendly reminders of the next Player introductions are the best time of home game warranted a spot, too. the game for me personally, and we have a good time at Burleson High (TX). If the Today, not much has changed except the sound system allows it, a good upbeat song amount of time I spend on preparing for playing in the background will make your the game. Over the course of time, I have introductions exciting. incorporated bits and pieces of other announcers’ techniques that help make  During the game itself, be attentive to my work easier. At TCU, the media relations the task at hand. Don’t let yourself be department and marketing staff have a “caught up” in the moment and spoil your script that contains everything that needs to hard work. During halftime, if there is no be announced. From pre-game announce- entertainment, I usually play a few songs, ments, to the National Anthem, to player remind the fans to visit the concession intros, to halftime presentations, and to stand, and announce the next home game. post-game, it’s all there for me. Post-game is a simple wrap up of the score, reminder of the next game, and a pleasant But a high school game is different. I’m “good night” to the fans.

Timeline for a 7:30 tip-off Actual Time Game Clock Protocol 6:00 90:00 Arrive at BHS arena for set-up of laptop, test of sound system, and gather announcement info. 6:45 45:00 Start music for pre-game shoot around. 7:00 30:00 Welcome the players to the court. 7:10 20:00 Pre-game announcements: A general welcome followed by concessions and booster club announcements. 7:25 05:00 National Anthem 7:27 03:00 Player Introductions 7:30 00:00 Tip-off 8 continued on p. 3 Wrestling With Personal Announcements By Charles Hopkins, CPAA Blackfoot, ID The Voice

restling is or just say hello to their friends. These names announced over the public address an intense well-intended requests interrupt the flow of system, we felt it more appropriate to restrict Wand highly the match and don’t really fit well into the extraneous announcements. The contest competitive sport. By script or event. Furthermore, they trivialize and its action are not interrupted by inap- its nature, it involves and devalue the primary role of the P.A. propriate and unnecessary announcements. the crowd at liter- announcer. This policy has proven to be successful and ally an intimate and is appreciated by our athletes, coaches, and personal level. But The athletic director and I identified this spectators, because it keeps the focus on there always seems as a problem. We adopted a solution that the event and enables us to maintain our to be a fly in the oint- fixed the problem. We only announce items professionalism. ment. Regardless of specific to the current contest, sponsor the excitement level advertisements, school activities, and Hopkins has announced athletic events for Charles Hopkins or intensity of the official or emergency announcements. No Blackfoot High School for approximately contest, occasionally personal announcements are allowed. 21 years. He works football, boys and girls someone in the audience or even among basketball, wrestling, occasional state level the wrestlers wants me to announce While we understand the fun and excite- softball tournaments, and a variety of events at a birthday, ask someone to the dance, ment individuals get when they hear their the school and in the community.

Game Operations sponsored by

9 Basketball P.A. Announcing Quiz

Answers The Voice

1. False baskets would not be inline with accepted be possible to announce them all. There- In high school the 1:00 minute remaining announcing guidelines. It’s analogous fore, the players entering the game should announcement should be made in the to announcing a field goal in football as, be announced first. fourth quarter. In college the announcement “Three-point field goal...” or “Tiger field goal would be made in the second half. The by Dayton Mills is good for three...” 7. True purpose of the announcement in college Unless there is a league rule that precludes is to remind or indicate to officials that the 5. False this, it is acceptable. Oftentimes, there is clock is stopped after a made basket with Just like the crowd making noise during a a prescribed protocol, i.e., F-F-C-G-G, etc.). under 1:00. free throw attempt, it’s just bad sportsman- This becomes a bit tricky in some cases ship (although it happens a lot on every because coaches don’t designate positions 2. False level). Officials differ on how quickly they consistently, or coaches might start two This is also a personal and a team foul indicate the number of shots and get the forwards and three guards. which should also be indicated. ball to the shooter. Every effort should be made to have the announcement finished 8. False 3. True before the ball is given to the player. This depends on the setting. Actually, as- At home, the visitor’s squad should be an- sists should seldom, if ever, be announced. nounced first, followed by the home team. 6. False This falls into the category of a statistic that In the case of playoff games or champion- Must” is the operative word. It’s always a is kept based on the subjective call of the ship games, certainly the “neutral” court good practice to introduce the person en- PR or Sports Information person in charge. can be further advanced by alternating tering the game, along with the player leav- It’s not an “official” statistic that is kept in starters visitors-home, visitors-home, and ing the game. However, there are situations the scorebook. so on. where this is nearly impossible time-wise, such as toward the end of a quarter, half 9. False 4. True or the game when a coach is substituting a This is unprofessional. A dunk, no matter The referee will help with this with a signal “shooter” for a “defensive player” at every how exciting or impressive it may be, is sim- to the head table that the shot was a dead ball, for example.. If time permits, ply a basket, which should be announced two-point shot, if it is close, but inside, announcing the players entering the game as any other two-point basket would be the 3-point line. Fans know that a basket and the players who are leaving would be announced. inside the three- point arc is two points. ideal. However, when there are multiple Announcing two-point baskets as two-point substitutions, with limited time, it may not 10. A, B, C, D, F, J, K, O, Q

Supplemental Information for Question #10

C. Not usually. If there is a held ball, it is ac- I. This depends. Could mention a change P. Stepping over the line (free throw)--only ceptable to say, “Home/Visiting team’s” of possession on an illegal screen, and if there would be another free throw. ball on the alternating possession.” the “Ball to home team.” The announcement would be, “Lane violation. Bobby Smith will shoot the free E. The announcement should not be L. Announce only in the case of a change throw.” “Three seconds in the lane,” but rather of possession, such as “10-second call. “Three second violation. The announce- Ball to visitor’s team.” R. The announcement would be, “Home/ ment should not be made until the visiting team ball on alternating posses- official has indicated the violation.” M. Announce only in the case of a change sion.” of possession, such as, “5-second F. The change of possession occurs due count. Ball to home team.” S. This is a personal foul on the player and to a backcourt violation. The announce- a team foul. ment should not be “Over and back,” N. Announcing the foul by name should but rather, “Backcourt violation.” not be made. Block is a personal foul. T. For a 30-second timeout, the announce- You would announce it as you normally ment would be, “Park Hill timeout. G. Basket interference means that a would announce a personal foul: “Home 30-second timeout.” two-point basket was allowed. Who is team” foul on Bobby Smith. That’s his to receive credit for the basket is the 3rd personal, 6th team foul.” Charge is NOTE: If fans, for some reason, i.e., decision of the official scorer, based on a “player control foul,” and should be corners, team bench with players who was interfered with. The name of announced like a personal foul, such as, and/or coaches standing, etc., the player who committed the violation “Home team foul on Suzy Smith. Player are obstructed from being able to should not be announced. control foul. Ball to visiting team.” see the action resulting in a call, a corresponding P.A. announcement H. A flagrant foul is a personal foul on the would be appropriate. player who committed the infraction and a team foul. 10 2013-14 High School Volleyball Rules Changes Announced By Shane Monaghan Graphic Arts Technician/Editorial Assistant NFHS Publications/Communications Department The Voice

n an effort to improve the flow of the deciding set, while Rule 5-3-4e states teams with six players on the roster. play in high school volleyball, the that the second referee shall initial the INational Federation of State High scoresheet for the final verification of The complete listing of all rules changes School Associations (NFHS) Volleyball match results. approved by the committee is available on Rules Committee has altered the signal the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click sequence for officials. “I would say that there was an overall on “Athletics & Fine Arts Activities” on the trend – not only in rules changes, but home page, and select “Volleyball.” The committee approved this significant editorial changes [as well] – that really change to Rule 5-2-1, along with seven focused in on mechanics and protocol Volleyball is the third-most popular girls other rules revisions, at its January 7-9 of the officials,” Oakes said. “There sport and 13th-most popular boys sport meeting in Indianapolis. All changes were were several protocols or mechanics at the high school level, according to the subsequently approved by the NFHS that weren’t really addressed, and by 2011-12 NFHS High School Athletics Board of Directors. not being addressed, there have been Participation Survey. There are 418,903 inconsistencies in how [the rules] were girls at 15,569 high schools and 49,467 Rule 5-2-1 now permits the fault-calling administered. This [inconsistency] led boys at 2,180 high schools participating referee to indicate the result of a play- to other problems, complications or nationwide. point or replay – followed by the nature of confusion during the match.” the fault. This change allows the scorer The contact at the NFHS concerning this to immediately record the score and Other changes to take effect in 2013-14 release and volleyball rules is Becky prepare for other responsibilities, such as are the use of electronic communication Oakes, NFHS Director of Sports and substitutions and recording time-outs. The devices. Devices are permitted during a Liaison to the NFHS Volleyball Rules committee said play is more consistent match; however, they may not be used Committee. since there is no delay in knowing which for any review of a referee’s decision. team will have the next serve. Rule 4-1-4 states that it is no longer an automatic violation for a towel to be “By changing the tucked in a player’s uniform waistband. NASPAA Note signal sequence, Also, Rule 5-1-1 states that all contest this will allow the officials shall be secured by the host The 2012-13 NFHS rules changes scorer to perform school. Line judges, unless determined are on the NASPAA website. All P.A. his/her duties otherwise by state association policy, shall announcers who announce high school of recording be secured in the same fashion. Finally, sports are encouraged to review the the score, then Rule 11-4-2 grants a special time-out to rules changes for the sports that moving on to be called by the referee when a team has they announce in the event there are substitutions, an injured player, no time-outs remaining rules changes that could affect the in a much and no legal/ exceptional substitutes information that they announce. more timely available. This will impact only those fashion,” said Becky Oakes, Becky Oakes director of sports Credit; Oregon School Activities Association and liaison to the Volleyball Rules Committee. “This improves the overall opportunity for accuracy and keeping up with play by the scorer.”

Among the other rules changes for the 2013-14 season, four deal with officials’ procedures and mechanics. In Rule 5-3-4b, instead of reporting to the end lines at the end of a set, teams now will be directed to their appropriate team benches. In 5-3-4e, instead of reporting to the end lines at the end of a match, teams now will follow any local or state protocols.

Rule 5-3-4d clarifies the protocol and mechanics for the second referee to follow when conducting the coin toss for

11 The Voice

For information about membership and Not A the NASPAA, go to www.naspaa.net. Member? “Whether you are a rookie If you are a P.A. announcer or have the announcer or a seasoned responsibility of hiring or assigning veteran, the NASPAA can help you to become a better P.A. announcers, the NASPAA announcer, connect with other would like to invite you to become announcing professionals and a member. The annual individual provide tools for self-evaluation and continued professional membership fee for adults is $30 and growth in the eld.” $20 for students. Schools may join Je Kurtz, CPAA for $69, which entitles them to six Kent State University P.A. Announcer and NASPAA Board Member memberships.

Affiliate Members

National Interscholastic Athletic Pennsylvania Mississippi High Missouri State High Kansas State High Tennessee College Sports Administrators Interscholastic Ohio High School School Activities School Activities School Activities Georgia High School Secondary School Information Association Athletic Association Athletic Association Association Association Association Association Athletic Association Directors of America

National Junior National Association National Federation Louisiana High Michigan High Texas University College Athletic of Intercollegiate of State High School Indiana High School Oregon School School Athletic American Legion School Athletic Interscholastic Association Athletics Associations Athletic Association Activities Association Association Baseball Association League

Mississippi Washington Iowa High School Kentucky High School North Carolina High PONY California Association of Interscholastic Athletic Directors Athletic Directors School Athletic Illinois High School Baseball and Interscholastic Coaches Activities Association Association Association Association Association Softball Federation 12