With schools starting all over the country, it’s time to head back to the box for high school and middle school announcers all across the country.  Let’s take a look at what you can expect, back to school style.

Since a lot of schools also allow other organizations to use their stadiums and pressboxes, it’s a good idea to go in a day or two in advance to check to make sure everything works.  Even if you don’t have the lights on during the game, check the pressbox lights, the latches, the windows, scoreboard, tables, chairs, and the most important sound system.  Test every piece of equipment to make sure it still works.  Summer heat can cause issues, so can people who don’t understand how to properly use a sound system.  It’s better to find out 2-3 days before your first game that something needs to be fixed, than the night of.

Pressboxes can be the forgotten piece of the puzzle on game day, by taking the initiative to clean up the pressbox, others will appreciate it.

What to bring with you on the first day:

• Trash bags, expect to find plenty of trash, even if it is just dust.  There’s always going to be something.  Dead bugs, dust, old papers left over from last season or from over the summer.
• Broom and dust pan.  You’re going to get dirty so make sure your windows open before embarking on a quick sweep of your pressbox.
• Hand wipes.  You’re going to get dirty and most pressboxes don’t have access to water.  You’ll want to be able to wipe your hands.
• Cleaning wipes.  Clean the windows at least twice, clean the tables, clean the chairs, and wipe down any other surface that is dirty.  It’s not a bad idea to wipe off the face of the scoreboard controller if that was left out over the summer.
• A box fan, it’s going to be hot.  Unless there is already a box fan in the pressbox, or air conditioning, you’ll want something to help move the air.  While the fan is running, make sure all windows and latches are open to help circulate the air.
• Paper towels and napkins.  This is one of the most forgotten items in a pressbox, leave them up there.
• Two copies of the National Anthem on CD.  The anthem should be the only thing on the CD, burn a new copy every year, dust and CDs don’t get along well.
• Back-up pens or pencils and tape.  Tape the back-up pens or pencils underneath the desk where you announce.
• A spiral-bound or marble notebook.
• Water or sports drink, you’re going to get thirsty, stay well hydrated.
• A surge protector with LED indicator or voltage meter with plugs to test the electrical outlets.
• Blue painters tape, it does a better job of not leaving residue when taping papers to the wall, than Scotch tape.

What to test in the pressbox on move-in day:

• Microphone
• CD player(s)
• Tuner
• Wireless microphone(s)
• Cassette player (yes some still have cassettes)
• Aplifiers
• Speakers
• Scoreboard controller and scoreboard
• Message board(s)
• Phone(s)
• Press box lights
• All electrical outlets in and around the pressbox

What to keep in the pressbox at all times:

• Tissues, napkins, or paper towels to help clean up messes.
• National Anthem CDs, don’t take them out of the pressbox.
• Box fan, always have something that can move the air in the pressbox.
• Spiral-bound or marble notebook, clearly identified that it is yours.
• Extra water.  Though cold water can hurt your vocal cords, keeping water in the pressbox will help on the days it gets hot and you stay hydrated.
• Blue painters tape.  Though this can dry out over the course of a summer and winter.

We welcome feedback from other announcers, if you have something you think we should add to this list, please feel free to add it to the comments section below.  Comments sections are always monitored to prevent spam, we’ll approve comments related to the post when we receive them.