The Voice october 2012 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPORTS PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCERS

New Member Feature Allow Me to Introduce Myself Mike Collins Public Address Announcer, INSIDE Notre Dame Football and Hockey, South Bend, IN New Member Feature 1 Do you remember being in the fourth or fifth grade and your teacher or the priest or nun asked everyone How to Promote Sportsmanship 2 what they wanted to be when they grew up? I do and I remember a lot of the responses. Many of the guys Announcing Volleyball: What said firemen or policemen and a few told the nun or New Announcers Need to Know 3 priest that they wanted to be a man of the cloth. I Professionals and Amateurs guess that was worth some brownie points, though one of my best pals did say he wanted to be a priest Trade P.A. Announcing Questions 4 and he is a very good priest to this day. Internal P.A. Keeps Media Informed 6 I said I wanted to be the guy who does the baseball Gary Williams Becomes games at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh where I grew up. Credit: Notre Dame Athletics My dad took me to my first baseball game there in New NASPAA Board Member 7 Mike Collins stands next to the mic 1951, Brooklyn Dodgers versus the Pirates. I was in that Bob Sheppard, ’ Online Certification Course awe of everything, the green grass, the smell of hot legendary announcer, used. Coming Soon 7 dogs and cigars, REAL baseball players who were not on a fuzzy black and white television. Nominations for Bob Sheppard But I was stunned by the sound that came out of P.A. Announcer of the Year those little speakers, a voice, seemingly out of Award Being Accepted 8 nowhere, introducing the lineups and each batter Affiliate Members 10 throughout the game. It was the “nowhere” that really got to me, a real mystery to a six year old. At home that night, I went down to the basement and took my scorecard and started announcing the Board of Directors lineup myself. Crazy, huh? brad rumble Well, it was that voice and that man who, many president & executive director years later, helped me become the public address tom busch secretary announcer I am today. jeff kurtz My name is Mike Collins and I have been the public p.a. announcer, kent state university address announcer for the past 30 years for Notre mark mills Dame football. I have also done Notre Dame hockey p.a. announcer, missouri state high school for 25 years over three eras and that was my activities association first P.A. gig. gary williams stadium announcer, oakland raiders The how and the when of getting the football P.A. job would not happen to any of us today. This year is Credit: Notre Dame Athletics an anniversary of sorts for me. In September, Notre The Fighting Irish defense stops the Dame played Michigan in a prime time game at Pittsburgh ball carrier. Notre Dame Stadium. Thirty years ago, almost to the day, was my FIRST game, which was Notre Dame and Michigan in prime time, the first ever coast-to-coast Sponsored by prime time broadcast of a college football game Clell Wade Coaches Directory (or so I am told) other than a bowl game. And I did not know I was going to announce that historic game until about 36 hours before kickoff. Notre Dame’s legendary Sports Information Director, Roger Valdiserri, called me out of the blue and said the long-time P.A. announcer had just decided to Credit: Notre Dame Athletics retire. Could I do the game? I had been doing hockey continued on p. 9 How to Promote Sportsmanship and a Positive Environment The Voice

Ric Ruffinelli Paul DeRenzo Sometimes it is easier to talk St. Bonaventure High Grace College, School and Ventura Winona Lake, IN about promoting sportsmanship College Ventura, CA At Grace College, we and positive environment than I have always felt that live out our mission my job is to present the in the classroom as it is to actually do it. It’s no basic elements of the well as on the sports game in an unbiased fields and courts. secret that P.A. announcers manner so that both the home team and "Student-athlete" is not just a mantra but a play a significant role in the visiting team feel comfortable at the commitment and lifestyle. Sportsmanship event. I think there are always moments is embodied as part of the person as well promoting sportsmanship and when as an announcer you tend to have a as the performance of the athlete. From bit more excitement in your voice for the the scholar-athletes who are recognized a positive environment by what home team, such as a last second score to by the NAIA's Champions of Character win a contest, but I feel that is permissible program to how we welcome and host our they say and how they say and doesn't violate my personal standards visiting teams, we try to walk the talk. as an announcer who feels sportsmanship it. The NASPAA invited two For instance, we honor our opponents is my highest priority. by obtaining pronunciations of names so members to share the things For the last 38 years I have had the honor that we mention their names accurately. of announcing football games for national At sporting events, our public address that help perpetuate a positive high school football power St. Bonaventure announcer remarks on standout play High School - Ventura, CA, and for more for both teams. Officials are warmly experience for the fans, players, than 20 years I have announced football, introduced by mentioning not only their men's basketball and women's basketball names but their hometowns to set the coaches and officials. Here is for Ventura College. I have tried to put initial tone that we are glad they are here what they had to say. ethics, sportsmanship, and integrity at the to officiate our home event. top of my list. I feel it is my responsibility We also announce equally for men's but then overturned after the player who to assist in providing the fans with a highly and women's sports as well as the deflected it goes to the official and admits professional environment when they attend second and third-tier sports besides to deflecting the ball), it is acknowledged one of our sporting events. our marquee ones. Also, in our game publicly. At Ventura College, we read the attached itinerary announcements we read a code Although we at Grace want to be victorious decorum policy prior to all games. of conduct and sportsmanship script at on the scoreboard like every other We modified the original which was every event. And the encouragement of competitive school's sports programs, we established about 10 years ago and found sportsmanship is not just communicated know in the grand scheme of things that this works very well in setting the tone for to the players, but to officials and fans as winning is not just what is displayed on the the game. Once in a while we have had to well. scoreboard. The old adage is still relevant call security, but it is very rare. And when a unique act of sportsmanship today, at least here at Grace, that it's not Decorum Statement occurs by either team (i.e. a deflected whether you win or lose that matters, but Fans, the California Community College volleyball is initially called untouched how you play the game. Athletic Association (3C2A) Decorum Policy is in effect for tonight’s game. Credit: Ohio High School Athletic Association Please be respectful and courteous to each other. The 3C2A strongly encourages all fans to avoid using profane language, taunting or making inappropriate gestures or non-verbal signs to opposing teams and fans. In addition, any non-credentialed person who comes onto the playing surface will immediately be escorted out of the venue by security staff. Those violating the 3C2A decorum policy will be warned once. Subsequent violations of the 3C2A decorum policy will result in ejection from this host venue. Thank you for your cooperation.

2 continued on p. 3 Announcing Volleyball: What New Announcers Need to Know The Voice

Announcing a sport with little or no experi- for commentary, and no need for much ence in that sport can be daunting. NASPAA commentary while the ball is in play. For has asked Bill Gaedke and Jeffrey Griffin, example, to begin play and thereafter, when two experienced volleyball announcers, to a point is scored, the server has eight sec- offer some advice to volleyball P.A. announc- onds to put the ball back into play. After the ers who are new to announcing that sport.. official, R1 above the net, blows the whistle Below is what they had say, beginning with to signal the server to serve the ball, the Bill Gaedke. P.A. announcer is to remain quiet until the Volleyball is an ball is served. exciting, very fast If there is no scoreboard in the venue and sport with many the score is displayed by cards on the rules and tech- scorer’s table, announce the score just niques to govern before the whistle to serve; e.g., “the server its efficient play. It is Connie Cole, eleven serving eight.” If goes without say- there is a scoreboard in the venue and it ing that to effec- is visible to everyone including players, tively announce announce the score periodically. Remember any sport, includ- to include in your introductions, the officials, Credit: NAIA ing volleyball, R-1 above the net, R-2 on the floor at the Knowing the sport and the terms to be knowing the sports Bill Gaedke net opposite R-1, and the two line judges. In announced are important. and its rules of the high schools, the normal match is three out sport are a must. of five sets comprising a match with scoring second guessing. Being tentative will get So where can you go to obtain that to 25 points in a set. If teams are tied at you nowhere but left behind… and perhaps two sets apiece, the fifth set is to 15 points. information? One source is “The Voice a yellow card, but I digress! Restrained Teams must win by two points in any set, aggression is my suggestion and no less Above the Crowd,” the NASPAA’s P.A. including the tiebreaker. In some districts, relevant than a 6’8” middle blocker. announcing manual. Basic information to be the best two out of three sets constitute a I’m not big on rules, so let’s call them announced for a volleyball event is included match. Acknowledgements of sponsors and guidelines or suggestions or pillars of self- on page 51 of the publication. relevant game information is announced in directed improvement based upon social Another great resource is Archives in Mem- the three minutes between sets. observations and professional interaction. bers Only on the NASPAA website. Addition- Music is not required. I play music during Arrive early, not ridiculously early, but early ally, when the Media Room on the website the 60-second timeouts. nonetheless. (Know where you’re going and adds volleyball, there will be examples of where you’re parking.) announcements for various situations that Gaedke has announced at Clovis (NM) High occur in a volleyball match. Personally, I School for the past 34 years. He announces Read your script and ask about the correct think the Media Room will be one of the football, volleyball, boys and girls basketball, pronunciation of the weird names. (What? NASPAA’s most popular resources. track and field, annual spirit (cheerleader) Some names are weird. I mean, “what was her mama thinking” weird.) Ask a manager. Don’t forget that the NASPAA offers a men- competition, and is the announcer for the Ask a trainer. Ask an injured player. Ask an toring program for all sports. Numerous Curry County Cats in the New Mexico Pre- assistant coach. The coach, THE coach, is NASPAA members with substantial experi- mier semi-pro football league. way too busy to fool around with you or me ence are on the NASPAA’s mentoring faculty. MYTH: Volleyball is a relaxed, family sport or anybody else. If you need some help, the NASPAA can best left to summer picnics and fall re- arrange a tutor for you. Those who have Oh – and any self-respecting program will unions. FACT: Head injuries among volleyball participated in the mentoring program have have a script. This is not make-it-up-as-we- public address announcers are on the rise given the program high marks. It is undoubt- go or talkin’-with-the-boys-at-the-corner- because the balls routinely fly out-of-bounds edly one of the NASPAA’s best kept secrets. store time… Read the script. How they say in excess of 800 miles per hour. and when they say. They, of course, being Alright, let’s get into some P.A. announc- OK, so I exagger- the organization that signs your paycheck. ing mechanics for volleyball. If you are ated. A little bit. announcing for your home team, go to The boring part... Introduce the starters I’m not an NFL pre-season practices to get to know your numerically and the libero is last. “They” replacement offi- players, their positions, and rotations. As will inform you as to whether “they” want cial either… so get I mentioned previously, knowing the sport name and number or name, number and over it. is important and that means knowing the position or name, number, position and terms that you will be announcing. Ace, kill, This much is true – year in school or name, number, position, dig, and block are the more common terms volleyball matches year in school and hometown. It may be that you will want to become especially move at a lightning different for the home team and the visiting familiar with because you will identify the quick pace and team. That was way too technical. Yuck. Yes players who execute these plays. there is no time – introduce the coaches too. Their mamas and no place for and papas may be in the stands. Volleyball is fast; there is not much time Jeffrey Griffin 3 continued on page 4 Announcing Volleyball, continued from page 3 The Voice

I tend to announce each player serving. (If a dig, the substitution and the score in one If you’re well-behaved, they may let you do player serves 24 points, I only announce the brief, shining moment. (Cue CBS and the it again. Now, play ball! Or whatever they first serve, not the same player 24 times.) I folks at March madness.) Pick one. Make say at volleyball... and look out for flying introduce substitutions but I disregard the the announcement and be quiet. balls. libero, since he/she dances to the beat of If you’re confused, if a breeze confiscates Griffin has been the public address their own drummer anyway. I let them go. I your roster, if you swallow a bug…stop talk- might verbalize the name of the school or announcer for Wake Forest University since ing. And when the world is good again, 2000. He also performs at select events the mascot of a team that wins a point, but make another announcement. I might not. Use your common sense and for the ACC, NCAA, USOC, NBA, NFL, PGA, good judgment. Let the players play and You won’t have time to eat popcorn. You USL-PDL, NCHSAA and PTA. Griffin is also don’t interrupt the flow of the game. If you won’t have time to text. You won’t have an instructor in the Radio Broadcasting start having chest pains or a large spider is time to visit the little boy’s room. Be where program at the Career Center in Winston- crawling up your microphone, by all means, you’re supposed to be and do what you’re Salem, North Carolina, in addition to interrupt. Interrupt! supposed to do. Follow instructions. Be po- providing voiceover services for clients lite. Remember, restrained aggression will around the world. Most importantly... Don’t do too much. It is unreasonable to let you say what needs to be said and little announce the server, the block, the kill, the else. Daddy to Princess Sophia and Prince Miles. Amateur and Professional Announcers Trade P.A. Announcing Questions

In a past issue of THE VOICE, a couple for basketball different? What about tion, player and fan safety, security, etc. of amateur sports P.A. announcers were calling the games, what do you find to Chuck White Questions given the opportunity to pose a question be the biggest difference with that? In this regard, in your years as the to a couple of professional sports P.A. Chuck White Response Falcons’ announcer, how has stadium announcers. Because of the positive Hi Tim – thank you for Credit: Don Liebig/ media presentation changed and how response the format received, we have the great questions! ASUCLA Photography does it affect your job as P.A. announcer elected to do it again. However, this time (high definition media boards, instant the professional sports P.A. announcers get UCLA basketball has such an incredible replay, etc.)? Do you meet with these to ask the amateur sports P.A. announcers media personnel before the game a question. history – 11 national titles, 38 conference and discuss the game plan? Professional championships and Tim Hanchey Response sports announcers some of the greatest Chuck, participating in the players to have ever I think the overall presentation has gotten question exchange played the game. better with updated ribbon boards and a are Tim Hanchey, As a part of game new video screen. From my perspective, Stadium Announcer “preparation,” I Chuck White having enhanced video helps provide a for the Atlanta Falcons understand and more "close up" view of the game for our and the football P.A. embrace this history. Coach John R. fans - and for me from time to time! I think announcer for Georgia Tim Hanchey Wooden was more than a basketball the fans enjoy the new "Under the Hood" Tech; and Doug Kidd, coach – he was a teacher whose primary feature offered at stadiums this year. (For Stadium Announcer of the Jacksonville job was to provide a positive example those who don't know, this is a feature Jaguars. Participating amateur sports to those under his supervision. Coach where during official reviews, the fans get P.A. announcers are Julie Myers, who once said that he was “most proud of to see on the video board exactly what announces at the high school and college the athlete who does well with his life. the Referee is seeing during the review.) levels; and Chuck White, who is the football That’s where success is. Basketball is and basketball P.A. announcer for UCLA. The team that I work with has been basically just a very small part of it.” When a fan intact since I began and that has helped us On one team for the question exchange enters our home Pauley Pavilion, one still get better too. The Falcons have two P.A. is Hanchey and White. Kidd and Myers senses and feels Coach’s philosophy. announcers. My primary responsibility is the make up the other team. Below are It’s my responsibility to consistently on-field action while my partner does the their questions and answers. deliver it through communication. commercial and announcement portion. I do Tim Hanchey Questions When calling a basketball game, the big- get involved from time to time with halftime Hello Chuck. gest difference is speed of play – when one features, etc., and when that happens we I'm familiar with the preparation for football makes an announcement in basketball, do meet with the production and media games, but how is your preparation it’s just you! In football there are so many folks to ensure a "seamless" presentation. considerations – television, game produc- 4 continued on page 5 QUESTIONS, continued from page 4 The Voice

Doug Kidd an emergency is part of being a good actually begins on Wednesday. I do a Questions P.A. announcer. My authority comes from different “Spot Board” for each game, and Hi Julie. the sport information director. Some of I do that on Wednesday evening. Keep in I am interested the people with who I work give me more mind, most P.A. announcers have full time in knowing about authority than others. I try to always defer jobs, so each one may prepare differently. your emergency to them, or an event manager, when making My board work starts on Wednesday, and by procedures for unscripted announcements. Friday all I have to do is get the injury report Doug Kidd the events that In the event of an emergency, my biggest and finish the board. I also code my boards you announce. concern would be figuring out what to with team colors that aid me in quicker ID. How are you prepared to handle different announce and when, while remaining Saturday is my DVR day. Any game that emergency situations at each of the venues calm. I would also hope that an authority you announce? Do you have the authority to I have of my opposing team is kept on would be there directing me. Thanks to my DVR. That way, I have the network make announcements should an emergency this question, I now realize that I need to situation occur or must you receive announcers’ pronunciations and I watch take more initiative and be prepared with the opponent just to get a feel for their permission from someone? Do you have my own scripts that I can use if necessary. scripts for emergency announcements? ways. I’ll even turn the sound down and I also need to find out from those in actually announce some plays. Total time What is your biggest concern should you be charge how they would want me to handle faced with an emergency situation? Wednesday through Friday is probably 4-5 emergencies in general. I have found that hours. Julie Myers Response m ost of the schools I work for are just Hi Doug. happy if I show up on time and don't mess Sunday, I arrive at the stadium TWO hours Thanks for the great questions. So far, I up during the starting line-ups. It’s now up prior to game. I get final rosters, check have been extremely lucky and have not to me to step up my game and become a my board to make sure numberS and had to deal with any emergency situations. true professional. Thanks again for a great names correspond, and then go over my As for the emergency procedures for the question. commercial script. events that I announce, unfortunately, I Julie Some additional prep is physical. I eat am not given any emergency procedures very light on Saturday night and Sunday Julie Myers Questions or scripts for emergencies. I announce morning. I warm up my voice by (don’t primarily at the college level for soccer, Doug, laugh) announcing the alphabet forward and volleyball, and baseball. The sports My question for you has to do with backwards. I also announce the numbers information directors and event preparation. Do you prep before game day, 1-99 forward and backward. management personnel that I work with and if so, what do you do? And then on game don't always give me a lot of direction. In day, what does your preparation look like? What do I bring to the game? My case has fact, they like having me announce because What do you bring with you to the game? some different color pens, index cards, they don't have to give me a lot of direction. Is there anything that you think every P.A. field glasses, white out, scotch tape. Again, should be doing to prepare for game day? probably too much, but I’m just set in my I take it upon myself to be aware of the ways (ha ha)! venue and have a general idea on how I Doug Kidd Response would handle Julie, As far as what every P.A. Announcer should an emergency That’s a great question, because the more do, just make sure you have the correct as P.A. As a information you can gather, it gives you pronunciations. Every player at every member of more choices to do it your way. Remember, level has either a mom, dad, husband, the NASPAA, I in my opinion, there is no right and wrong wife, girlfriend (not both), so announcing have become way to announce games. There’s a standard, the names correctly is paramount. P.A. aware of the but you have to use your strong suits and announcers are like umpires and referees. best practices your personality to make things right. By the The less you’re noticed, probably means of P.A. looks of your resume, you must be doing you’ve done a great job. announcing things right, or you wouldn’t have so many I probably over prepare, but it is also a labor and have opportunities. So, congratulations on your of love, so it works for me. realized work. Good luck and continued success. that being I do prepare before every game. When prepared for Julie Myers working an NFL Sunday game, my prep Doug Kidd

Spire Interactive—Official E-Learning Provider of the NASPAA

5 The Voice

Internal P.A. Announcing Keeps Media Informed By Tom Parker, Kernersville, NC Credit: Wake Forest Athletics

Not long ago I was media area to rise for the National Anthem. • Other scores of interest presented a new At the conclusion of the anthem, it is my job • Reminder of post-game media public address to officially welcome the media and provide procedures opportunity--Internal for them the following information: My particular “best seat in the house” is Public Address for • Changes to the flip card football at Wake in the Official Statistics room on the media Forest University in • Weather floor of Deacon Tower. With a team of 7 Winston-Salem, NC. • Post-game media instructions or 8 people documenting and delivering Having grown up (logistics for post-game interviews) information in real time, it is a remarkably in the area, I was • Bowl representatives in attendance efficient operation. A member of the stats excited to become • Captains team uses binoculars to determine players/ affiliated with the yardage/penalties/turnovers and announces • Coin toss those in the stats room. The information university and to try • “No cheering” announcement something new in then travels via microphone to the media, public address. During the game, I provide typical “down via headphone to the TV team, and via blog and distance” play-by-play as well as to the electronic Deacon faithful. So….. what exactly is Internal Public items designed to assist the media. These Address? Being “close to the action” makes Internal additional announcements might include: I serve as a member of the Wake Forest Public Address a terrific p.a. experience. Athletics Media Relations Department. • Injury information I’ve been fortunate to serve Wake Forest My role on home game day is to provide • WFU / ACC / NCAA records University in this capacity. information for the print media in Deacon • 3rd down conversion ratio Tom has been announcing for 15 years. He Tower. It seems obvious that the media (during 2nd half) announces football, basketball, baseball needs thorough, current and accurate • Noteworthy game stats (fifth 100-yd and soccer. He has been a member of the information; less obvious is the process by game, career longest punt return, etc.) NASPAA since 2005. which that happens. The Internal Public • Official attendance Address Announcer is an important part of Game Operations this process. sponsored by Sound Director My supervisor, WFU Associate AD for Media Relations Steve Shutt, describes the role as follows: "The Internal Public Address Announcer is vital to having a successful working atmosphere in the football press box. The announcer's ability to give pertinent and timely information that the media need in covering the event is absolutely critical. He/she is asked to deliver the information in a crisp, authoritative, and easy-to-listen-to tone." Arriving at BB&T Field generally a couple of hours before game time, I will first secure and read over (aloud) a “flip card” containing complete home and away rosters. I mark the double numbers and any names whose pronunciations will need to be checked with the visiting SID. As game time nears, I follow my script carefully. After the Wake Forest marching band takes the field and plays the Demon Deacon Alma Mater, I request those in the

6 The Voice

Gary Williams, Stadium Announcer for the Oakland Raiders, Joins NASPAA Board Credit: Oakland Raiders

Gary Williams, Stadium Announcer of the NASPAA and its mission of helping raise the Oakland Raiders, has been appointed to the level of professionalism of P.A. announcing is NASPAA Board of Directors. Since becoming a unparalleled. Having him in a leadership role member in 2008, he has been actively involved with the association will definitely pay dividends with the NASPAA. In addition to contributing for NASPAA members.” to THE VOICE, he helped create the voiceover Gary will be entering his eighth season with section on the new NASPAA website, was the the Raiders. Prior to joining the Raiders, he on-camera talent for a NASPAA promo and spent 10 years as the football P.A. announcer the online certification course promo, voiced for Stanford University. He has also done numerous football announcements that appear work for the and perhaps in the Media Room on the website, is on most importantly, has been the voice of the NASPAA’s Announcers’ Critique and Evaluation Niles Centerville Little League, where his four Team, and has been the clinician for three boys have played for the past 20 years. In NASPAA Football P.A. Announcers’ clinics, in his real life, Gary makes his living voicing TV/ addition to serving as an NASPAA mentor. He radio commercials and corporate narrations. replaces Mike McCartney, Stadium Announcer He was the announcer at the CBS affiliate in of the Kansas City Royals, whose term expired. San Francisco for eight years. Now, most of “Gary has been a tremendous resource for the his work is recorded at his home studio. He is Gary Williams, Stadium Announcer NASPAA,” commented Brad Rumble, NASPAA also a popular master of ceremonies at events of the Oakland Raiders. Executive Director. “His commitment to the throughout the San Francisco Bay area.

Online Bob Sheppard P.A. Certification ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR Course Coming Soon WANTED The NASPAA P.A. Announcers’ Online The NASPAA is seeking nominations for the Bob Sheppard P.A. Certification Course is scheduled to Announcer of the Year. Only NASPAA members are eligible. launch by December 1. Spire Interactive, a >>>>>> NOMINATION DEADLINE: August 1, 2013 <<<<<< leader in online learning, is including new content and is reformatting the course to “P.A. announcers who follow the NASPAA Code of Conduct will definitely enhance their heighten its educational value by making chances for consideration,” commented Glen Waddle, NASPAA NCAA P.A. Announcer of the Year. “One of the criteria that carries a lot of weight in the selection process is it more interactive. Everyone who takes professionalism. Being over the top won’t cut it.” the course will pass, and will be eligible to obtain college credit from the University “The NASPAA Awards Program is a tremendous membership benefit,” remarked Brian McKiernen, NASPAA High School P.A. Announcer of the Year. Information about of Colorado Colorado Springs. For more the Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the Year Award may be obtained at information about the certification course, www.naspaa.net. go to www.naspaa.net.

7 Nominations for the Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the Year Award Being Accepted The Voice

were, none would be as symbolic to P.A. Nominees are judged on various criteria announcing as the Bob Sheppard P.A. including being clear, concise, correct, Announcer of the Year Award,” remarked voice quality and announcing (i.e., delivery Jeff Kurtz, NASPAA Board Member and and style and adherence to proper ethics- Kent State University P.A. Announcer. "As a -see NASPAA Code of Conduct), as well public address announcer, being mentioned as professionalism, which is a major in the same breath as Bob Sheppard is consideration. Because the award is like being compared to John Wooden, Walt named after Bob Sheppard, nominees must Alston or Vince Lombardi as a coach, or demonstrate the qualities that defined , Michael Jordan or Jim Brown him. For example, screaming or being over as an athlete. There could be no higher the top as the introductions are made form of praise in this field. It means you are following a big play by the home team or recognized as one of the best at what you one of its players would not be something do. I know our members will recognize just Bob Sheppard would do. Therefore, those how special the award is, and appreciate nominees would essentially eliminate the opportunity they have to be nominated themselves from consideration. for it." Nomination forms and nominees' mp3 files “The Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the must be received by NASPAA by August Year Award represents what Bob Sheppard 1 each year. Selections will be made by and the NASPAA are all about, which September 1. Nomination forms and is professionalism,” commented Brad information about the award, including the Rumble, NASPAA Executive Director. “We audio requirements, may be obtained at are truly humbled to have been provided www.naspaa.net. The Bob Sheppard P.A. this extraordinary opportunity to present Announcer of the Year Award is sponsored this award and to help perpetuate his by Clell Wade Coaches Directory and Jeff Kurtz, NASPAA Board Member and Kent State University P.A. Announcer. legacy.” Balfour. Nominations for the 2012-2103 Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the Year Award are now being accepted. Because the award is an NASPAA membership benefit, nominees must be members of the NASPAA. For high school nominees, a nomination form must be submitted by the nominee's athletic director. If a high school nominee does not announce for a school, the nomination form may be submitted by the nominee's respective state high school association. Nominations for college announcers must be submitted by one of the following; 1) school's athletic director, 2) sports information director, or 3) a head coach. College announcers who do not announce for a school may be nominated by their respective conference, league or association. Nominations for amateur, non- school P.A. announcers must be submitted by the coach of the nominee’s team. “I am unaware of any national awards for sports P.A. announcers, but even if there

8 NEW MEMBER FEATURE, continued from page 1 The Voice

and I think I just I don’t think that I was very good that night; can worry about everything else. happened to be I’ve seen the game and listened in the While the P.A. job won’t pay anyone’s the first name he background on ESPN Classic. But I think I mortgage, it has many other benefits. I have thought of. I said became good at my profession by staying been blessed to do games in Tokyo, Dublin, yes but “forgot” to true to Mr. McKennan and myself. and even at when Notre tell Roger that I had But that is the actual presentation; as for Dame played Army. I asked Yankee team not done football in any way on any level; mindset, I look at what I do as a job, that officials for something special, something my high school was even too small for a on those Saturdays I am going to work, that I would have never thought possible. But team. Heck, in the real world I was a news the P.A. booth is my office, and please do they went into storage and took out Bob anchor and never did do sports. not disturb me for the next three to four Sheppard’s microphone and let me use it So off I went, but not before panic set in. hours. It is my job to help the fans enjoy the for one night. The only thing I could think The only thing I could think of was to call game, to inform them when necessary and, was that I wished my dad was still alive so some friends who worked for the Pirates and when the game is over and I go to the car, he could hear his kid’s voice rattling around try to get in touch with their P.A. announcer, my wife and my friends just say, “You did a that great place. The guy who took me to Mr. Art McKennan. With trepidation, I called good job today.” Then, I know it went well. that first baseball game that inspired me him and he could not have been a nicer man It is an honor to have this job and I am to do what I do today would have been very or more helpful. He built up my confidence, still in awe when fans come up to me and proud. he asked questions and he gave advice. tell me how much they appreciate what I I know Art would also be proud, and his Nothing he said to me has resonated and do. And being the P.A. announcer for my lesson to me is something I have decided stayed with me more than this: “I don’t alma mater also carries a certain amount to continue in recent years. I get a lot of know how much tickets cost at Notre Dame, of responsibility that I need to represent inquiries from high school P.A. announcers but you should keep in mind that no one is my school in a way that my classmates and I respond to all of them. For the last spending a dime to hear you.” He also said, and the staff at Notre Dame would be three years, I have invited some of them “ I assume Notre Dame has cheerleaders, proud. Nothing means more to me than the to join me and job shadow on game days. so you should not be a cheerleader.” respect I get from those in charge of Notre Every one of them I think will be following in To this day, I keep that advice in mind and Dame football Saturdays. They trust me and our footsteps some day. Some things never I keep my basic philosophy very simple: never interfere; in fact no one from higher change. be enthusiastic, and be professional at all up even comes to see me in the booth. times. They just assume I will do the job and they Credit: Notre Dame Athletics

9 continued on p. 3 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 fi eld.” $20 for students. Schools may join Jeff Kurtz, CPAA for $69, which entitles them to six Kent State University P.A. Announcer and NASPAA Board Member memberships.

Affiliate Members

National v 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 Association of Interscholastic Athletic Directors Coaches Activities Association 10 Association