By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
It’s not often I get nervous when asked to speak publicly, but when I was thrust into the position of public address announcer for the Del Rio Rams home football game I was left speechless.
The job of PA announcer isn’t easy. It’s a constant changing symphony that requires the work and cooperation of multiple people to keep fans informed and interested. I’ve done baseball and softball before, but football is an animal I hadn’t done at the high school level before.
The only reason I even got the opportunity was because my longtime friend, and the voice of the Rams, Rowland Garza had a bevy of things come up that needed his attention. Then his backup, former Del Rio High soccer coach Ernesto Martinez, was going to be tied up with activities for the San Felipe Exes reunion that same day.
San Felipe Del Rio CISD Athletic Director Frenchey McCrea Jr. was left with one option … me. In his own style, he tried to explain I wasn’t the last choice, but it’s okay. I wasn’t mad; I was humbled.
I was left a script to follow complete with times and announcements. No problem, right? Well, when Odessa High’s band didn’t make the trip it was like the fates saw the schedule and said, “Those were just suggestions. We’re going to do this by the seat of our pants!”
I had no clue about music, didn’t know how to turn the volume on my microphone up, wasn’t sure why the game officials were taking so long for the coin toss and so much more. All I wanted to know before the game started was how to pronounce “Bronchos.” Was it like broncos with the “k” sound or was it a “ch” sound like chair? Turns out it was the former. Thanks to the Odessa coaches for that info.
Kudos to everyone who helped pull the whole thing off. You all are truly professionals. My helpers up in the tower – Joe Nieto, Pepe Perez, Stephen Thomas and David Gomez – and the guys who helped convince me I could actually pull this off – Tani Canchola, Wilber Rivas and former athletic director Ric Smith, who was in town to visit – truly made the whole experience not quite as bad as I envisioned.
Did I make mistakes? Oh yeah I did. I think I called Odessa High “Permian” during one nervous stretch. It also didn’t help that my eyesight is somewhere between terrible and “No, I can’t tell how many fingers you’re holding up even with you standing in front of me,” so I occasionally called out the wrong numbers. Ah, the joy of live sports.
In the end, the support I received from the folks I already mentioned and the fans in the stands that recognized my voice and said I did a great job meant a lot. That doesn’t mean I’m gunning for Rowland’s job any time soon. He earned that role and he does a great job. It’s his until he decides to hang up his mic.
For now, I’m happy to be returning to the sidelines and taking photos of the game and only I can hear my cracking voice and commentary. However, I can check that role as Rams football PA announcer off my bucket list. Thank you Frenchey, and thank you San Felipe Del Rio CISD for your faith in me.
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Brian Argabright has been a journalist for nearly 25 years. An award-winning writer and photographer, he has covered sports, features and much more during his career. Contact him at drnhsports@gmail.com
