The Stacks

CAN you Read iT?
Most all of us have stood the twenty feet away, covered an eye and been

Digital Tombstones
Recently announcing a homecoming ballgame, the scoreboard went out or, more pointedly, never really got

For Love or Money
Money is a debate. Money is always a debate. We all want more. We don’t

I Have Mine. Do You Have Yours?
Originally, I set out to get my NASPAA certification for the sake of completeness. I’ve announced oodles

I Love Grapefruits
…with neatly arranged red sprinkles all over them… Over the years, I have found more

Lost In Translation
Ever feel like you need a Masters in American Sign Language (ASL) in order to

Luck Favors the Prepared
Listen to Edna The unexpected always happens…period. If I did not prepare offsite for each

Mistakes
Everyone Makes Them… I have never announced any event or game 100% perfectly. Never. Regardless, I

Music and PA Announcing: Run or Embrace?
“Hey Jim, did I just catch the F-Bomb?” Could it be true? Tens, hundreds and

Names are Everything
Civilization’s primary identifiers…NAMES: France, Coca-Cola, Sony, Apple, Tom Cruise, Aztecs, Jupiter. Our singular memories are pegged

Respell in a Nutshell
Announcers, experienced with Quick Facts or other pronunciation guides, already know how challenging they can

Respell in a Nutshell – Making It Work
In our prior article, Respell In A Nutshell, we dug into the why, the what,

Scribble and Speak
Get your forms on, buddy! Specifically, your announcer forms for scoring a game. Really? What’s

Sit There and Shut Up
PA Announcers, Broadcasters, Scorekeepers, and Spotters are the great observers of events and games. We

Sometimes I Feel Like I’m Wearing Stripes
I have announced multitudinous games and events in my life and, one thing very clear

Taking Care of the Voice
Likely the most important article of your announcing life When I was younger (not going

The #1 Tool is NOT a Microphone
My dad kept an overflowing, disorderly Sears Craftsman toolbox of ratchets, screwdrivers, needle-nose pliers and

Tournament Madness
I was thinking about March Madness. The 60+ games in the dance in addition to all

Venturing Outside the Square
I hate platitudes. “It’s ALL good.” “Everything happens for a reason.” “It is what it

Vocalzone in the Vocal Zone
My hand waving moment… Before I say diddlysquat, I am not a doctor, pharmacist or

Warming Up
…and I don’t mean heating up. I’m, also, not making chicken noodle soup. No, no.

What Music To Play? Ask Them.
If you’ve got your game day music totally dialed in, skip this entire piece. If,