Um, wow.  Where to start with this post.  Last night, Decmeber 18, 2015, 24 years and nine months after I began my P. A. announcing career, I made my debut on ESPN.  Did I know going into the game that I was going to do that?  Nope.  Was I nervous when asked?  Yes and no, more excited to get the opportunity, but nervous in wanting to make sure it all sounded great.

Introducing the NCAA Division-III Football Committee Chair Jack McKiernan who presented the National Championship Trophy

Here’s how it all came to be.  With 6:35 remaining in the fourth quarter, St. Thomas scored a touchdown in Stagg Bowl XLIII.  At the same moment, a call from Carey Harveycutter came over the radio, “Send Jarrod down with a wireless mic.”

Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, in the pressbox questioned Carey because they all knew I was having issues with my legs and walking on stairs is not the easiest thing for me to do.  After reconfirming Carey’s request, we set in motion to get a wireless microphone and get me downstairs.  J. J. Nekoloff from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference even came into the booth to ask for the mic so it could be taken down to the field.  There was some miscommunication here.

After getting the microphone, I set off to head down to the field.  It was bitterly cold by this point in the night and the wind was relentless.  If you’ve read the previous posts about the game, yes it was that bad.

Presenting the Most Outstanding Player award to Taurice Scott who combined for 255 yards and four touchdowns.

Upon getting down to the field, Carey told me, “We need you to do the post-game award presentation.”

Ok, so I’m going to go on the field after the game and help to present the championship award.  At this time, Brad Bankston, the commissioner of the ODAC goes over everything with me.  I’m responsible for thanking everyone, congratulating the teams, introducing the committee chair and then awarding the most outstanding player award.  And this is going to be seen live on ESPN 3.  WOW!

Mount Union has won their 12th #NCAAD3 Football Title! Watch the trophy ceremony here » https://t.co/90S4dw31nP pic.twitter.com/F8e5x1HdQd

— ESPN3 (@ESPN3) December 19, 2015

Everything went well, except it was REALLY cold.  Was that mentioned before?  At one point I’d gone into the St. Thomas locker room to write something down and when I came out, a short snow shower started.  That was an awesome entrance.

Thank you to Carey, Brad and Doug Ripley for the opportunity.