High school football announcers learn from one another
They put names with the numbers, tell fans who just made the big play, encourage a stop at the concession stand and might even indulge in a bit of cheerleading.
High school football, which opens throughout the state Friday night, just wouldn't be complete without the public address announcer.
"As soon as these guys open their mouths, you know what they do," said Marty Hickman, Illinois High School Association executive director. "They all have very distinctive voices."
Hickman was among the speakers at a recent public address announcers clinic at Naperville North High School, sponsored by the National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers.
More than a dozen Chicago-area announcers shared tips, brushed up on skills and heard how Jim Riebandt, the longtime Chicago Bears announcer, handled his craft.
"A good PA man gives information concisely, gives it clearly and sets the crowd up for the next play," Riebandt said. "The expectations that NASPAA wants to really promote is setting the tone, good sportsmanship and a positive environment.
"You always want to show respect to the other team. Whether you're introducing the starting lineup or there's a particularly bad play on the other team, don't accentuate the negative."
And good announcers always come prepared.
"Getting to the stadium on time, knowing what announcements you're asked to read, is all part of it," he said. "If you're not prepared, it comes through to the crowd. There's a tenseness or nervousness in your voice. If you just show up and they hand you a flip card and you think you can do it, you're really wrong."
Jim Mizener, the longtime voice at Downers Grove North and South football home games, is among the suburbs' most distinctive voices.
He has a smooth, matter-of-fact style and likes to mix in tidbits about coaches, referees and participants.
"Preparation is extremely important," he said. "One thing we have to do is make sure the rosters are correct. I always try to check with coaches who are up in the press box about who the key players are and make sure they have the right uniform on, and there's nothing worse than mispronouncing an athlete's name when the parents are in the stands."
A high school announcer is typically a teacher or coach, an alum or friend of the school. Almost all are men and have styles that range from just-the-facts to nearly play by play.
Whatever the method, the announcer also serves a vital role when things go wrong.
Hickman said the PA announcer can be a calming influence in an emergency, providing information or directions in bad weather or simply helping quiet a crowd when tempers rise.
"It's important for you to prepare for special circumstances," Hickman said. "If the PA announcer is prepared for almost any contingency, he can bring some sanity to a difficult event...You can really help a situation if it is escalating."