INSIDE

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High School to College – Less is MoreBy Christopher SnyderRoyal Oak, MI

I never thought I would grow up to be a public address announcer.

I’m sure am glad I did though! My experience with professional public speaking started as a teacher. My classroom was the arena. I learned to prepare, paid attention to details, and stayed within my

role. I enjoyed a 10-year stint as a voice in the classroom. During that time, I took my voice to the track and field as a coach. These experiences prepared me for my work as a sports public address announcer. Focusing on fundamentals and roles led to announcing at the college level, where more resources and supportive collegiality create a much different experience.

My first work in high school public address consisted of greetings, intros, game reads, halftime show presentations, and closings at league football championships. I had some leeway with style and tempo, but I always reminded myself that “less is more.” This most valuable lesson I learned from my high school experience was how important it is to pronounce names correctly. I think honoring and respecting name pronunciation put me in a position to move to other opportunities. (Constantly reminding myself not to talk too fast helped, too!!) I was able to move to track & field, baseball, and hockey championships, where I got a real taste of letting the crowd know what they may not know and setting a tone for the competitions. I focused on my role as an announcer. That is to provide information not available to spectators and highlight action on the field, track, and ice that respects the hosts, visitors, officials and spectators.

When the opportunity arose to do P.A. for college soccer, I made sure I was ready for my interview. I practiced explaining my understanding of a public address announcer’s role and my motivation for wanting to be in this role. The interview led to public address announcing at the

college level. This opportunity has afforded me the chance to learn a lot and to realize and experience the differences between announcing at the high school level and announcing at the college level.

The collegiate level feels “bigger.” Not all the collegiate contests have more spectators or take place at larger facilities

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPORTS PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCERS

FEBRUARY 2015THE VOICE

Board of Directors

brad rumblepresident & executive director

tom buschsecretary

jeff kurtzp.a. announcer, kent state university

mark mills p.a. announcer, missouri state high school activities association

gary williamsstadium announcer, oakland raiders

High School to College: Less is More 1

NASPAA and NFHS Discuss Restrictions Imposed on Basketball P.A. Announcers 3

NASPAA Gets Face Time with Athletic Administrators 4

Wrestling Announcers Reveal Their Top Do’s and Don’ts 5

Administrators Play Key Role in Setting P.A. Announcing Expectations 8

New Member Feature 10

Jim Finnen Is Honored for 50 Years of Service 10

Announcing the National Archery in the Schools Program 11

Results of Athletic Directors’ P.A. Announcers’ Compensation Survey Released 12

Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the Year Award Nominations Being Accepted 13

continued on p. 2Chris Snider

The atmosphere, people, resources, and intensity make public address announcing at the collegiate level different from the high school level.

Photo Credit: University of Kentucky Athletics

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THE VOICEHigh School to College – Less is More, continued from page 1

compared to the high school championships I worked, but all of them tend to have more energy and palpable electricity in the air. The energy comes from the intensity of the competition, but also from the other people involved in the contests. At the collegiate level, there are a lot more people involved in making the competitions a positive experience for everyone involved. These people contribute to and enhance the work I do as a public address announcer. I am surrounded by athletes, officials, sport information directors, radio and video broadcasters, statisticians, clock operators, audio folks, and other professionals who bring organizational skills, knowledge of sport, and how to make a contest special

for fans. These people know they are parts of an overall experience, and work within their roles expecting everyone to do a great job. This collegiality leads to an event that is something more than the sum of all our efforts.

Not only does the collegiate level tend to have more people involved, but there seems to be more consistent and available resources to assist a public address announcer than at that the high school level. Collegiate sports programs have full featured team websites and media guides-- some that even include name pronunciations! Scripts are created for me and presented for me to tweak and practice well before game time. During competition, information is provided

quickly to confirm my own observations and presented to me so I can concentrate on the competition and my role.

Collegiate level public address announcing tests my concentration more than it did at the high school level. Contests are played faster, some have more game-time activities, and the overall environment offers more challenges to keep focus and attention to detail. I realized quickly to focus on my role more than ever before. The speed of competitions and my respect for all those participating force me to turn up my “game time” intensity. Announcing at any level requires concentration and focus, but collegiate events offer so many more distractions and opportunities to deviate from the role of the public address announcer – especially when the home team is winning (or losing) by a lot!

The fundamentals required for public address announcing span all levels of competition. Every level of public address announcing has its own unique requirements, culture and climate. I have found the atmosphere, people, resources, and intensity make public address announcing at the collegiate level different from the high school level. I find working at the collegiate level more intense and more rewarding – but I always remind myself before I click on the mic that “Less is more.”

Since 2009, Chris has announced football, baseball and hockey championships for the Detroit Catholic High School League at Ford Field, Comerica Park, and Joe Louis Arena. He is currently announcing soccer, basketball and baseball for Marygrove College in Detroit. He also does voiceovers for the Mustangs Sports Network.Generally, the one thing that high school and college sports have in common is the information

that is announced.

Photo Credit: Mike Strassinger, TNS SportsPix.com

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In response to questions and concerns raised by NASPAA members who announce basketball, Brad Rumble, NASPAA

Executive Director, Jeff Kurtz, NASPAA Board Member, and Bob Gardner, NFHS Executive Director, participated in a conference call to discuss the NFHS Basketball Points of Emphasis, which imposed restrictions on P.A. announcers who announce high school basketball.

Below are Points of Emphasis that apply to P.A. announcing.

Announcer Responsibilities:

• The announcer shall be prohibited from making an announcement while the clock is running and while the clock is stopped and the ball is alive…such as during a free throw, a throw in, etc. Doing so could potentially affect communication of coaches, players or be disconcerting.

• The announcer shall be prohibited from interrupting the game through the use of the microphone unless there is an emergency.

• Announcements or comments shall be made during those times when there is a stoppage of the clock and the ball is not live, such as time-outs, between quarters, pre-game, half-time and post-game.

• The announcer is allowed to announce basic information that does not potentially affect the play in general, the players, the coaches or the officials. The announcer’s information is not official information and could be misinformation shared with all.

• Appropriate training of announcers by personnel and proper pre-game instruction by the referee is necessary.

May be Announced - Examples:

• Player who scored • Player charged with foul • Player attempting free throw • Team granted a time-out • Length of time-out: 30 seconds or 60

seconds • Player entering game • Team rostersShall not be Announced – Examples:

• Number of points player scored • Number of fouls on player • Number of team fouls • Number of team time-outs or number

remaining Time remaining in the quarter/game

• Type of foul or violation • Emphatic 2 or 3 point goalAnnouncer’s RoleThe announcer’s role does not include “cheering the home team on” or otherwise inciting the crowd. Doing so is common at other levels of athletic events. But high school athletics is different because sports are educationally based. In a very real sense, the public address announcer at a high school event is a “Champion of Character.” He/she can influence the atmosphere of the contest by what is said and how it is said.

The announcer who performs professionally promotes good sportsmanship by what he/she says and how he/she acts upon saying it.

It was interesting to note that the majority of NASPAA members theorized that the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee’s action was attributed to some P.A. announcers not following approved P.A. announcing guidelines…and they were right. It is truly unfortunate that the P.A. announcers who were announcing properly were penalized because of those who were not.

“The takeaway from our discussion is that the expectation of the NASPAA and the NFHS and its member associations is that P.A. announcers shall announce games in a fair and professional manner,” commented Brad Rumble, NASPAA Executive Director. “The intent of the Points of Emphasis was never to take away from the P.A. announcer’s ability to do that. To avoid this from happening again and in other sports, it would be prudent for P.A. announcers to follow approved P.A. announcing guidelines.”

The NFHS Basketball Points of Emphasis was not intended to take away the announcer’s ability to announce the game in a fair and professional manner.

NASPAA DISCLAIMER

The concepts, recommendations and strategies offered by the NASPAA are for general instructional purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice. While the information and recommendations offered have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, the NASPAA makes no guarantee as to, and assumes no responsibility for, the correctness, sufficiency, or completeness of such concepts, recommendations or strategies. You are instructed to seek the advice of your school’s legal counsel before incorporating

any such concepts, recommendations or strategies into the management or conduct of your school’s public address announcing program. Other or additional safety measures may be required under particular circumstances of your school’s athletic program.

THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF PERFORMANCE, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

In no event will the NASPAA, its agents or employees be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information contained herein or for any consequential, incidental, special or similar damages.

NASPAA and NFHS Discuss Restrictions Imposed on Basketball P.A. Announcers

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NASPAA had the opportunity to meet many of the 1400 high school athletic directors who visited the NASPAA booth at the 2014 National Athletic Directors Show

held December 16 and 17 in National Harbor, Maryland.

“Our display featured The Voice Above the Crowd, which besides being endorsed by the NFHS, NIAAA, NJCAA and NAIA, is the exclusive P.A. announcing resource of the NIAAA’s P.A. announcing leadership training course,” commented Brad Rumble, NASPAA Executive Director. While many had heard about the manual, they were completely amazed with how comprehensive and professionally done it is.”

NASPAA members, Jeff Kurtz, Kent State P.A. Announcer and NASPAA Board Member; Richard Keller, P.A. Announcer for the Catonsville Campus of the Community College of Baltimore County (MD) and University of Maryland Field Hockey; and Ray Ebersole, Director of Athletics, Hudson High School (OH), helped work the exhibit booth. The conference was a first for Keller.

“I had a great time talking about the merits of the NASPAA and P.A. announcing with individuals from across the country who oversee P.A. announcing in their respective high schools, remarked Richard Keller. “It was quite apparent how much ADs appreciate the NASPAA and what it is doing to improve sportsmanship and the competency, consistency and professionalism of high school P.A. announcers.”

“What we were able to accomplish in just two days was amazing,” added Jeff Kurtz. “The traffic at our booth was steady both days, but there were times when it was all hands on deck!”

NASPAA Gets Face Time with Athletic Administrators

Richard Keller, holding the 2nd edition of The Voice Above the Crowd, to which he contributed, reviews it while working the NASPAA exhibit booth.

Bruce Whitehead, NIAAA Executive Director (center), stopped by the NASPAA exhibit booth to talk with Jeff Kurtz, NASPAA Board Member (left) and Brad Rumble, NASPAA Executive Director.

Bob Gardner, NFHS Executive Director (center), also paid a visit to the NASPAA exhibit booth.

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continued on p. 6

No matter the sport, all P.A. announcers have their do’s and don’ts about announcing their sports. You might expect these guidelines to be pretty much the same. We decided to test that

theory by asking a few NASPAA wrestling P.A. announcers to share the top five things that they feel wrestling P.A. announcers should do...and the top five things that they shouldn’t do. First up is Dorothy Mayabb, followed by Steve Nontell, Ron Mazzola and Bob Hoyt. Their P.A. announcing bios appear at the end of the “Don’ts List.”

DO’sDorothy Mayabb1. Name pronunciation. I feel this

is the most important part of a wrestling event. One of the first announcements I make when we get started is, “Wrestlers and coaches, if you have a name that is commonly mispronounced, please come to the head table and give us the correct pronunciation. We want to say your name correctly!” I have so many wrestlers tell me, “Thanks! No one ever says my name right.” I think it makes a difference to them and to their parents, family and friends in the stands to hear their name pronounced clearly and correctly.

2. Enunciate! Sometimes it seems as if you may be over-enunciating, but if you don’t speak clearly and enunciate clearly, it just sounds like Charlie Brown’s teacher over the microphone. No one wants to talk and only hear, “Wah wah wah wah wah” coming out of the speakers.

3. Know where you are and what is happening.  It’s important to be able to let people know the name of your venue and where the wrestling is taking place as well as what they are going to see. For example, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Staley Falcon Fieldhouse for today’s tournament. To start our morning off, we’ll begin with the first round of wrestling, followed by the first round of wrestleback.” This lets people know where they are and what is coming up. Keeping them up to date round to round helps them follow the tournament and it cuts down on questions coming to the head table.

4. Know the sport. This may seem low on the list, but unless you are doing play-by-play, most of your heavy work will be directing the traffic of the tournament or dual, and getting the right people to the right mat at the right time. But knowledge of the sport and its rules can help you explain what is going on during or after the match.

5. Appearance. Professional attire helps distinguish you from the crowd. You are doing a professional job, and as such should dress appropriately. Obviously, you could announce in a t-shirt and shorts, but projecting a professional image seals the deal.

Steve Nontell1. Make sure of correct name

pronunciations. This is not only a matter of respect to the competitors and their friends and families, and also the level of your own competence.

2. Know the rules. This is a great service to fans and enhances your credibility

3. Attend all possible pre-competition meetings. Coaches’ meetings at tournaments will often disclose line-up and bracket changes, possible competition format changes, and which weight classes will go first. For large or important tournaments, attending the seeding meeting will prepare you for name pronunciations as far in advance as possible.

4. Repeat certain announcements immediately, as needed.  A certain amount of redundancy may be necessary at some wrestling events--tournaments in particular. When making the first announcement, it’s likely that wrestlers, fans and coaches are talking, distracted, or in the case of some wrestlers, absorbed in the “psych-up” music flooding their headphones!

5. Reach for the utmost level of professional competence each time. Wrestling is, to its devotees, the most noble of all sports. The better you can do your job, the stronger impression you will make, which will benefit wrestlers, coaches, officials and fans, not to mention the sport!

Ron Mazzola1. Preparation. Not knowing what to do

or being unorganized will jeopardize your ability to be successful.

2. Properly pronouncing names. Ask the opposing team before the match about names that you may be unsure of. Spell them out phonetically and study them.

3. Line-ups, weigh-in sheets. Go over them with each coach and ask them how they want their wrestlers announced.

4. National Anthem protocol. Inform the official when and how the National Anthem will be played

5. Concentration. Concentrate on what to say, how to say it and when to say it.

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Dorothy Mayabb

Steve Nontell

Ron Mazzola

Wrestling Announcers Reveal Their Top Do’s and Don’ts

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continued on p. 7

Wrestling Announcers Reveal Their Top Do’s and Don’ts, continued from page 5

Bob Hoyt1. Find out correct name

pronunciations. It shows respect and demonstrates sportsmanship to know how to pronounce both first and last names correctly. It is also a positive reflection on the school/organization you represent.

2. Review referee signals before hand. Making the correct call is important to the crowd. Study the hand signals as part of your pre-event preparation. Making the incorrect call will hurt your credibility. Wrestling fans are generally very knowledgeable, and will recognize a mistake.

DON’TSDorothy Mayabb1. Talk/have side conversations

with the microphone on. You want to conduct yourself as if the microphone is always, “hot.” Saying inappropriate or unprofessional things over the microphone instantly hurts your credibility.

2. Make calls until the official has confirmed them.  There have been times I’ve been at events and the announcer has announced points that were then not awarded, for instance, in a scramble situation. Calling for points, and then not having them awarded by the official makes a bad situation for you, the official, and the wrestlers.

3. Fire up the natives. Professional sports are different than high school sports, which are education based. Sportsmanship and fair play are paramount. If a situation is hotly contested and seems to be getting out of hand, take that time to make a sportsmanship announcement or another announcement to help turn the direction of the crowd. Your voice inflection and tone can make a huge difference in calming a situation, sometimes without spectators even realizing it!

4. Take your position for granted. Show respect to all those involved in the dual/tournament/match by paying attention, making your announcements when they are timely (not right when the official is blowing the whistle to start the match, for example). Know which competitor won the match so that you say the correct name when announcing results.

5. Fight the microphone/sound system. Be sure you get to the venue early enough to do a sound check. Make sure your volume and sound levels are correct and convey the tone you want. You don’t want to go through a dual or tournament having to yell and risk ruining your voice, or continually trying to tone it down if the mic is too hot.

Steve Nontell1. Fail to keep yourself current on the

rules.  An announcer who cannot quickly and correctly inform the fans of what is happening, and what might happen, at a wrestling event, such as what is going to happen in each overtime section, will sound hopelessly incompetent. As noted previously, the better your performance (in this case, as to how well you know the rules and procedures), the more and better fans you can help make for wrestling.

2. Continually change the format of your announcements.  If the wrestlers, coaches and fans don’t know what info you’re likely to announce next, or in what order they’re hearing it, they will likely become confused. This includes weight class, mat, competitors and schools.

3. Over-hype the home team. Showing enthusiasm for the home team in a home-dual-meet walkover is acceptable. However, there is a fine line that should not be crossed when showing enthusiasm. If your school is hosting a multi-team tournament, whether individual or dual format, excessive enthusiasm for the host school is inappropriate and could leave fans wondering whether your team will get some suspicious “homer help” from the referees. Tournaments benefit best from a neutral style.

4. Anticipate the referee’s decisions. When announcing the point-by-point results in a dual meet, wait for the referee to make the signal before announcing any points that have been awarded or any penalty. Making a premature announcement that is inaccurate is frowned on by officials and is a disservice to the wrestlers and fans.

5. Announce in a weak voice or mumble. Granted, one won’t be an effective announcer at all if you have this problem. But a wrestling P.A. announcer has a lot of vital information to deliver in a very active environment, and therefore must be able to get above the crowd noise. In addition to not having a strong voice or not announcing so that fans can understand what is being said, a weak P.A. system could also be a problem.

Ron Mazzola1. Arrive late. It makes your preparation

worthless. Get there early, get set up and be ready

2. Rush. Take your time, enunciate clearly. If the fans can’t understand you there is no sense in being there!

3. Lose focus. Devote your full attention to the task at hand. It’s embarrassing to start announcing the FINAL score at the end of the second period!

4. Get distracted. See aforementioned reason and example.

5. Root, root, root for the home team. It’s okay to emphasize the home team, but don’t go over the top!

Dorothy Mayabb

Steve Nontell

Ron Mazzola

Bob Hoyt

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THE VOICEAbout the ContributorsDorothy MayabbMayabb announces high school and college wrestling. She has announced high school wrestling for 15 years, and is an announcer for the Missouri State High School State Wrestling Championship. Since 2002, she has announced college wrestling. She announces for Missouri Valley College and the University of Central Missouri. For the past five years, she has announced the NCAA Division II Wrestling National Championships. She also announces the NAIA National Wrestling Championships, NCAA Division I NWCA National Duals Finals, and numerous all-star high school wrestling tournaments.

Steve NontellNontell has been the wrestling P.A. announcer for Beech Grove (IN) High School for 33 years.  He has announced the final five Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Wrestling Team State

Dual Championships, as well as several IHSAA Wrestling Individual Sectionals and Team Regionals.  At the college level he has announced the University of Indianapolis Midwest Classic College Wrestling Tournament.

Ron MazzolaMazzola has been announcing wrestling for 23 years. He announces wrestling for Old Bridge High School (Matawan, NJ) and Spotswood High School (Spotswood, NJ).  His resume also includes numerous high school tournaments.  At the college level, he is the voice of Rutgers University Wrestling.

Bob HoytHoyt has been the wrestling P.A. announcer at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa for 16 years. He has announced three NCAA Division III National Wrestling Tournaments.

Bob Hoyt1. Announce the name of the loser of any bout

when announcing results at an invitational meet. The primary reason is to spare the feelings of the losing wrestler.

2. Yell. Announcing wrestling in not like announcing an NBA basketball game. Be professional and announce with class.

3. Demonstrate poor sportsmanship. Set the tone for a positive environment. Show class by being fair to the guests, and treat them the way you would like your team and fans to be treated. It goes a long ways.

4. Talk too much. Fans want to watch the meet and not have to listen to an announcer who is constantly announcing. Too much announcing can be annoying.

Bob Hoyt

Wrestling Announcers Reveal Their Top Do’s and Don’ts, continued from page 6

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High school athletics provide a

unique education forum and experience that cannot be duplicated in the classroom. For many towns, the athletic contest is one that brings together entire

communities on any given day or

evening to support and enjoy the game being played. Providing an announcer for these events is a primary function for the athletic administrator, comparable to scheduling game officials and event supervisors.

The role a game announcer plays is critical to the overall contest experience for all those attending. Beyond the primary function of providing pertinent information about the contest or game, such as the starting lineups, school, player, coaches and officials’ names, substitutions and key plays during the event, the announcer must serve as the “Voice Above the Crowd” in the event any unforeseen action might occur during or after the contest.

The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Leadership Training Academy Course, LTC 630: Athletic Administration: Interscholastic Contest Management – Planning, Preparation and Methods, established guidelines are broken down into three planning foundation components. These include: 1) Preparedness, 2) Response and 3) Recovery. (NIAAA, 2012). The role the game announcer plays in each area is vital to the success for each and every game or contest. This becomes especially important in the event there is any deviation from appropriate sportsmanship, unexpected weather issues or uncontrolled spectator or fan actions. Having a well-scripted plan in place prior to the event will ensure accurate and timely information is delivered to all in attendance. Providing a document for the announcer becomes the responsibility of the athletic administrator. Rehearsal and practice of the written script is the announcer’s responsibility. This plan eliminates, or

minimizes, the announcer from having to create “on-the-fly” announcements that might miss some important items.

Additionally, LTC 625: Management of Game and Event Announcing, is a course that was designed by the NASPAA to assist the athletic administrator in understanding his/her role in managing P.A. announcing in our nation’s interscholastic athletic contests. The information and expectations that athletic administrators learn come from the second edition of The Voice Above the Crowd, the official P.A. announcing resource of the course. It is the most comprehensive P.A. announcing manual ever written, and is the only one endorsed by the NIAAA, NFHS, NJCAA and the NAIA. Bruce Whitehead, NIAAA Executive Director, had this to say about The Voice Above the Crowd: “This publication is certainly necessary for every athletic department.”

The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA), publishes sample examples that schools may use at the beginning of each game or contest. The hope is that there will be a consistent message sent prior to each game or contest in terms of sportsmanship and crowd expectations for any event held at any of the over 290 association schools. An example of this message is attached below.

Within each of the 38 leagues across the state, most have adopted a similar opening, specific to that league and member schools, a welcome that establishes the expectations for all those attending. Included in each of these announcements are specific information that provides a disclaimer and identifies certain foreseeable items to reduce potential legal ramifications that might occur during the event. Most of these include, but are not limited to, instructions about player and official safety guidelines during and immediately following the conclusion of the event.

Within the printed script materials for the announcer there needs to be specific instructions to be read that will provide critical safety and emergency instructions to all those in attendance. The role the announcer plays is critical to maintain order and safety should there be a weather emergency, loss of power, unruly fan interruption, or other unplanned emergencies that might arise during the event. The announcer establishes the spectator atmosphere before, during and after the contest, maintaining a composed and calm demeanor during any emergency is paramount for the announcer. Thus, rehearsing and practicing the written script is a duty the announcer must undertake

Administrators Play Key Role in Setting P.A. Announcing Expectations By Bill Bowers, CMAARetired Executive Director, Oregon Athletic Directors Association Springfield, OR

Bill Bowers

Athletic administrators should meet with their P.A. announcers and review P.A. announcing expectations.

continued on p. 9

continued on p. 8

GAME OPERATIONSSponsored by

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THE VOICEAdministrators Play Key Role, continued from page 8

prior to each event. Being attentive to the actions both on the field or court as well as having communication capabilities with event supervisors for any issues that might arise in the crowd or off the field or court is vital to ensure a safe experience for all those in attendance.

The announcer must avoid sensationalism and remain the disseminator of needed information. By having printed and appropriate announcements ready to use, the announcer can provide clear and specific directions to everyone. In the event there is a loss of power, or emergency weather conditions, the announcer must be ready to identify and describe appropriate egress directions. In the event there is an altercation with an unruly fan that interrupts

play, the announcer becomes the calming voice to minimize any major disruption to players, officials and other fans. Prior to the conclusion of each event the announcer needs to read scripted announcements that include instructions when the event finishes that include, but are not limited to procedures for the safety of players, coaches and officials. Depending upon the event site and specific facility, items included in the announcements should contain reminders for spectators to remain off the field or court until such time both teams have congratulated each other and safely vacated the area. Many schools have adopted the policy of not allowing fans and spectators to rush the field or court at the end of the game. Proper supervision and staff personnel are needed to help ensure

this occurs. But the announcer needs to be attentive and ready to make appropriate announcements if such action occurs. The larger the crowd, the more important the role of the announcer becomes in successful event management. The duty of the announcer does not end when the final horn or whistle blows. In many cases this might signal the time the announcer is to read prepared announcements or scripts to help promote a safe end to the game or contest. Planning, preparing and rehearsing possible scenarios is a vital function the game announcer must include in his or her role to ensure that good sportsmanship is demonstrated. It goes without saying that setting P.A. announcing expectations is the foundation for a positive experience for fans, players, coaches and officials.

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Professional athletes always say

to start young with a sport, so why not with P.A. announcing? I started announcing in 7th grade for my brother’s youth hockey team. Since the rink

always left the microphone out, I

decided to try it out of curiosity.

I worked with the local youth hockey teams all the way up until college, and I began to work with my high school program my freshman year and continued with them all the way to graduation. At the start of my sophomore year, Deerfield High School Athletic Director, Robert Ruiz asked me to announce athletic events at DHS. At the start of my junior year ,I met a fellow PA Announcer from Deerfield and fellow NASPAA member, Scott Marovitz. He taught me “how to Announce,” since I never really knew how to announce. Hewas able to mentor me throughout high school. Right when I met Scott I was also able to build up my confidence and become recognized around the Central Suburban League as a member of the 2012-13 CSL Leadership Conference, as well as the Principal Service Award for Athletics recipient at Deerfield.

My friends also began to notice and gave me the nickname, “DJ Skylon” because of my involvement in both music and announcing

at games; the nickname has followed me since that point onward. My announcing during the men’s basketball games in high school was usually accompanied with chants of “DJ Skylon.” Whether it was me or Scott on the mic, they always tried to get the chant started. Although I appreciate the chant, the event isn’t about me or the announcer. It’s about helping to create a positive, enjoyable atmosphere in the facility and attempting to help create lasting memories the athletes won’t forget. I try to make a positive environment for the athletes no matter what the score is. Deerfield softball and basketball alum Emelia Karkazis once told me, “It was so fun having you as our P.A. announcer because no matter what the score was or who we were playing, you made it seem like it was the state championship every game.”

I announce because it is the best seat in the house, I enjoy it, and I feel like I have a good voice for the job. I also do it to help enhance the athletic experience while having fun myself. DHS Head Softball Coach Susan Johnson said, “Dylon went above and beyond for a high school program. He connected with each one of my softball athletes to create personal walk-up songs. This was very motivating. He brought the crowd to their feet to cheer on our softball team. He created a positive and fun environment for all of our supporters; he also promoted great sportsmanship through his professional announcing style.”

I currently announce in the NCAA for the Upper Iowa University Peacocks, who are part of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in Division II. While announcing for UIU, I’m also a student earning my sports

communications degree.

At first I was volunteering in the department and after a few weeks, assistant athletic director Brock Wissmiller and sports information director Howie Thompson gave me the opportunity to announce volleyball and direct all audio for football. I did something right with those opportunities, as they gave me the chance to announce men’s and women’s basketball, along with wrestling. This has been amazing since all the teams here are very talented, and so are the teams that we play host to no matter what the sport is. I feel as though night in and night out I can add a new event to the list of the most exciting athletic events I’ve ever announced.

Currently at Upper Iowa University the department expects me to do my best on the microphone, helping to create a professional environment. I try to read as many of the promotional reads as I can without overdoing them. As I said before, I’m thrilled with the opportunities the University has given me and any future ones that will hopefully come my way. I’m lucky enough to be one of the few freshmen, let alone college students across the nation, to say, “I P.A. announce in the NCAA.”

My ultimate goal with announcing is to continue down the track I’m currently on and hopefully announce professional sports. It would be an honor for me to announce for my favorite team, the New York Rangers of the NHL, however I wouldn’t mind announcing for any professional sports team no matter what league, or city!

Dylon Field

Few P.A. announcers can claim that they announced for 50 years, but no one, except maybe Jim Finnen, can claim they announced 50 years for the same institution! Finnen, The Voice of Lafayette College, is going to retire at the end of the 2014-15 academic school year. On January 24, Lafayette College (PA) honored the Leopards’ legendary P.A. announcer before a basketball game. To watch the tribute, click here (http://youtu.be/QyY0Wvos6-s).

Jim Finnen is Honored for 50 Years of Service

Jim Finnen

New Member Feature: Allow Me to Introduce MyselfBy Dylon FieldUpper Iowa University P.A. Announcer Fayette, IA

Sponsored by Clell Wade Coaches Directory

11

THE VOICE

Even with eyes closed, we recognize

sports by the sounds of the venue; the crack of the bat, the gnashing of shoulder pads. In the National Archery in the Schools Program, imagine a popcorn popper. Take the thump of an arrow

hitting a target and multiply it by 100 or more. Put that sound into a mega cavern such as the Edward Jones Dome, home of the NFL Rams, and team archery is an eye-opener for your ears.

While bow and arrow competition has been around since 14th century England, the organized game of archery for elementary, middle and high school students was only adopted in 2002. This Olympic-style target archery is part of the Physical Education curriculum available to every student during the school day. Once just common in summer camps, archery is now growing in 47 states and 10 countries reaching 2.15 million students annually. That’s comparable to little league.

During competition, archery announcers are front, center and fully visible. And like any sport, we have the best seat in the house. Where it differs is that we serve competitors and spectators simultaneously. This is rare. Typically, athletes are cued by on-field officials. A few exceptions are track & field, swimming & diving and gymnastics. So, it’s incumbent on us to be clear, concise and correct in our directives to the archers, yet maintain informative friendliness toward the crowd. I say, “us,” as there are several announcers in my crew to span a multi-day/multi-range event.

Similar to bowling, the objective is a perfect 300. That’s 30 arrows, five per scoring end, over two distances, with bull’s-eyes equaling 10. While scoring 300 has happened, it has yet to be achieved in national-level competition. The sport uses compound bows, uniform in make and model, without sight markers.

Unlike most sports in public schools, NASP features a national championship, a world tournament and an all-nations shoot to decide the very best of the very best. In Kentucky, where the sport originated, the national tournament continues to set world records. This May, we anticipate yet another by topping 11,000 archers.

Put yourself in our seat. As you peer onto the main range, you may see close to 300 targets, side by side by side for more than four football fields. Two students per target can add up to nearly 600 shooting at once. With the assistance of flag signals from range officials, the competitions are conducted by voice and whistle commands using positive language –striking words no, not, never and anything ending in “n’t” from our on-mic vocabulary. From an elevated viewpoint, binoculars in hand, it’s the announcer’s job to orchestrate the competition, making certain all players are in position, shoot on cue, score and retrieve at precise times – a routine that is rigorously methodical and part of the “safety first” protocol for every aspect of the sport.

With 24 boys and girls per team, crowds

are pumped with the same enthusiasm found back home on football Friday nights. Where other sports feature “home run” or “touch down,” there is no individual shout of “bull’s-eye!” in archery. Despite the popping, you can still almost hear a pin drop. For 30 consecutive times, every contender, in essence, is seeking to sink an exceptionally long bull’s-eye putt, so concentration is paramount.

One aspect of major tournaments I enjoy nearly as much as announcing winners is the beginning of each tournament day. Here, I’ve preselected a student to perform our national anthem on mic from our stage. Win or lose, this is a moment of pure pride

Charlie Baglan

The maximum score archers shoot for is 300.

Archers compete in the NASP National Championship.

continued on p. 12

Announcing the National Archery in the Schools ProgramBy Charlie BaglanNASP Lead P.A. Announcer Frankfort, KY

12

THE VOICEAnnouncing the National Archery in the Schools Program, continued from page 11

12

© Copyright 2015National Association of Sports Public Address AnnouncersALL RIGHTS RESERVED

2015 NASPAA COMPENSATION

SURVEY

2015 NASPAA COMPENSATION

SURVEYAT H L E T I C A D M I N I S T R AT O RS

for that school. At the 2013 World Championship in St. Louis, the entire Yorktown, Saskatchewan team sang, “Oh, Canada.”

Since college, my life has been spent behind a microphone. A radio personality in the Carolinas during the 1980s, moving on to a full-time career in advertising and a host/announcer for the Kentucky Afield radio and television shows with the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife since 1991. I jumped at the chance when management invited me to also assume a P.A. role when intermural archery was first developed as an outreach.

Few are privileged to be associated with a sport since its inception. What a treat when the founding organizers - the Abner Doubleday’s and James Naismith’s of a sport - are also your colleagues. Thanks to excellent mentors early on, it’s been my honor to announce for every

Kentucky State, national and world tournament since.

Just like the arrows, the popularity of the sport is also soaring and giving rise to self-confidence, better grades, better attendance, hit movies and newfound archery heroes for a new generation.

At the end of the day, it’s time to exhale. We’ve had fun, bitten our tongue and hopefully made an impact on how tournaments are conducted everywhere for every student, parent and coach aiming to make a difference.

For information about the job of the NASP Tournament Announcer and the announcements to be made, go to www.naspaa.net/uploads/Range_Announcer_Script_Guidelines.pdf.

Learn more and visit tournaments in your area. www.naspschools.org

Two students shooting at one target can add up to nearly 600 archers shooting at once.

RESULTS OF ATHLETIC DIRECTORS’ P.A. ANNOUNCERS’ COMPENSATION SURVEY RESULTS RELEASEDTo complement the P.A. compensation

survey, the NASPAA conducted a

survey of athletic directors. The

NASPAA wishes to thank the NIAAA

and the NAIA for their cooperation.

Click below to view the 2015 Compensation Survey

13

THE VOICE

N ominations for the 2014-15 Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the Year are being accepted. Information about the nomination process and the requirements concerning announcing a live event are on the

NASPAA website at www.naspaa.net.

WANTEDBob Sheppard P.A. ANNOUNCER

OF THE YEAR

The NASPAA is seeking nominations for the Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the Year. Only NASPAA members are eligible.

>>>>>> NOMINATION DEADLINE: August 1, 2015 <<<<<<

“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.

Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the Year Award Nominations Being Accepted

“Whether you are a rookie

announcer or a seasoned

veteran, the NASPAA can

help you to become a better

announcer, connect with other

announcing professionals and

provide tools for self-evaluation

and continued professional

growth in the � eld.”

Not A Member?

If you are a P.A. announcer or have the responsibility of hiring or assigning P.A. announcers, the NASPAA would like to invite you to become a member. The annual individual membership fee for adults is $30 and $20 for students. Schools may join for $69, which entitles them to six memberships.

Je� Kurtz, CPAAKent State University P.A. Announcer and NASPAA Board Member

For information about the membership and the NASPAA, go to www.naspaa.net.

National Interscholastic

Athletic Administrators

Association

Pennsylvania Interscholastic

Athletic AssociationOhio High School

Athletic Association

Mississippi High School Activities

Association

Missouri State High School Activities

Association

Kansas State High School Activities

AssociationGeorgia High School

Association

Tennessee Secondary School

Athletic Association

College Sports Information

Directors of America

National Junior College Athletic

Association

National Association of Intercollegiate

Athletics

National Federation of State High School

AssociationsIndiana High School Athletic Association

Oregon School Activities Association

Louisiana High School Athletic

AssociationAmerican Legion

Baseball

Michigan High School Athletic

Association

Texas University Interscholastic

League

Mississippi Association of

Coaches

Washington Interscholastic

Activities Association

Iowa High School Athletic Directors

Association

Kentucky High School Athletic Directors

Association

North Carolina High School Athletic

AssociationIllinois High School

AssociationPONY Baseball and Softball

California Interscholastic

FederationNational Association

of Sports Officials

Oregon Athletic Directors

Association

Affiliate Members

14

The following associations and organizations are NASPAA Affiliate Members. NASPAA Affiliate Members share the same core values and similar P.A. announcing philosophy as the NASPAA. The NASPAA serves as the P.A. announcing resource for NASPAA Affiliate Members.