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PROFESSOR BRIGGS' PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCING TIPS FOR FOOTBALL

This Saturday night, August 31, I will be filling in as the public address announcer for Slippery Rock High School's football team when the Rockets host Franklin. It is a very nice opportunity, and I am glad to be able to lend a hand (or voice) to SRHS principal Cory Hake and Slippery Rock athletic director Brienna Simons, both of whom I have known for several years.

I was asked to come up with a few tips or pointers for the full-time appointee (Slippery Rock has a backloaded home schedule), which compelled me to write another list of tips for folks who may be new or relatively new to handling public address duites. My writing tips column seemed to be well received, so hopefully this one will be as helpful to people.

 1. Know Your Role. Your Job is to Inform, Not Entertain

The public address announcer's job is to keep the crowd informed as to what is going on after each play, along with introductory, in-game and post-game announcements. It is not to be a play-by-play commentator while action is ongoing. Nor is it to try to be a comedian or funny or cute.

When the play ends, announce the ballcarrier, pass receiver or returner. After that, announce the tackler(s), if there are any, as well as the gained or lost yardage on the play. Then announce the down and distance for the next play, along with the yard marker. That's it. "Smith on the run. Tackled by Johnson and Brown. Gain of seven. It is second down and three at the State 34-yard line." Announcing the gain or loss before the tacklers is also perfectly acceptable. When the play is ongoing, be quiet.

2. A Little is Good, A Lot is Not

Being the public address announcer is comparable to seasoning on food. A little is necessary to bring out the flavor. Too much ruins the meal. People do not attend games to listen to the public address announcer. They are there to watch the game, band and/or cheerleaders, support family, friends, the community and classmates.

When there is a sub-standard announcer, that gets people talking during and after the game. It can ruin their experience and make people not want to go back; e.g., "That announcer talked way too much." "That guy didn't announce our players."

3. Stick to the Facts

Announce the facts of a play -- who had the ball, who made the tackle or the pass deflection. Adjectives are not needed. "Nice open field tackle" or "great run by Jones" should be avoided. You're opening yourself up to problems. If you say that Jones had a "great" run, what about Allen's leaping catch or Anderson's run later in the game? Announcing only the objective details of the play is best course of action.

4. Cheerleaders Are on the Track, Not in the Press Box

Pretty much every school has a cheerleading squad of students. The cheerleaders are on the track (or similar areas), performing stunts and encouraging the crowd to support the team. That's their function, not the duty of the public address announcer. "GET LOUD FANS, IT'S FOURTH DOWN!" or similar language is gross and undesirable. It's one thing to have a little extra "oomph" in the voice: "IT'S FOURTH AND GOAL AT THE 1." But cheerleading over the sound system should be avoided.

(Along with that, all cheering in the press box should be eliminated. Press boxes are working areas. If someone wants to yell, scream, clap or carry on, do it outside.)

5. Speak, Don't Yell

Public address systems and microphones are designed to amplify and distribute sound. Speak into the microphone. Don't yell into it. The microphone and accompanying equipment will raise the volume. Making loud "louder" will produce terrible sounds.

6. Leave Homer on "The Simpsons"

There are two teams playing. Treat the visiting team the same way as the home team. Don't ignore the other team's tacklers or pass catchers due to focusing on "your" team.

Also, take the time to go over names with someone from the visiting team, such as an assistant coach, athletic trainer or stat person. People will be glad to help or to direct you to someone who can help. No one wants to hear their name (or their team's names) announced incorrectly. Would you want your school's players to have their names butchered next week in a road game?

7. It's Not Only You

When someone is entrusted with the public address microphone, he or she is a representative and ambassador of the community or school. Being inept or ignorant reflects poorly upon the community and school, as well as the administrators there. Reward the faith that someone (or someones) is investing in you.

Did I forget something? Disagree? Email me!