Most do a great job compared to their salary.

I think it is great that the HS students get the experience to Announce games and provide the multimedia. I am a big fan of the process. I know there is a lot of effort and preparation for the students.

 

However, there should be an adult with knowledge of the game to spot and assist with the announcement of the activity on the field. Name and number of player who carried the ball and who made the tackle, what down and yards to go and support the penalty calls by the referee.

 

When I hear many of the errors throughout the game I think who is helping the student with the calls? If they are by themselves then the school is not providing the proper support. There may be support but when calls are being announced incorrectly many times throughout the game the school should review the process and product they are providing the fans. Some time teaching less is more or quality over quantity is necessary.

Very good suggestion XtraIce. A mentor up there would certainly improve the experience for both the student and the fans who are bothered by the current announcing.

Better yet, allow the students to shadow an experienced announcer for the Varsity games. Then the students can cut their teeth by announcing the JV or Freshman games. Allowing someone with no experience and a severe lack of knowledge of the subject to run the show on the big stage is never a good idea. Wait...almost forgot if I was talking politics or high school football.

Walton PA is one of the worst!

At South Oldham the Head Coach of any sport is responsible for hiring the PA announcer. South Oldham has a student who does the PA announcing for most sports. He has an incredible voice and does a fantastic job. He was given the opportunity because the last person talked too much. It is a great opportunity for him and they are looking for another student to take over as he is a senior. He has done so well he is going to college majoring in broadcasting. Think schools should look into giving kids the opportunity and "coach'em up" on how to do it.

 

This kid is AWESOME! The first time I heard him two years ago, I was walking into the gym and thought it was some kind of prerecorded message. Then I see him talking. I was really blown away. Very top notch. Kudos to him.

Better yet, allow the students to shadow an experienced announcer for the Varsity games. Then the students can cut their teeth by announcing the JV or Freshman games. Allowing someone with no experience and a severe lack of knowledge of the subject to run the show on the big stage is never a good idea. Wait...almost forgot if I was talking politics or high school football.

 

Big stage? It is high school football and they are being included as a part of an activity at their school. The benefits far outweigh any negatives.

Better yet, allow the students to shadow an experienced announcer for the Varsity games. Then the students can cut their teeth by announcing the JV or Freshman games. Allowing someone with no experience and a severe lack of knowledge of the subject to run the show on the big stage is never a good idea. Wait...almost forgot if I was talking politics or high school football.

 

 

I like the students having the opportunity to announce. Just make sure they have the support in the booth to provide accurate data.

For those interested, the National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers NASPAA has a course called Above the Crowd that the PA announcers become certified and are taught the right and wrong things to say and how to say them. For example, this year in basketball, you can't give the time remaining in the game.( 1:00 minute remaining!) and what to say during inclement weather and other situations. I recommend it to any of the announcers that work our games. https://www.naspaa.net/. I think when I took the course it was associated with the KHSAA.