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Introduction P. A. Announcing Tutorial
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- Introduction P. A. Announcing Tutorial
Congratulations, you have been selected to join the elite fraternity that is Public Address Announcing. However, you may be a little timid because if you’re here, then that means you’re starting out as someone new to the club and may not know where to start. This tutorial, and the subsequent sport tutorials will help guide you through the process of getting started, each sport, and finishing a game like a pro.
Greeting the Fans and Pre-Game Announcing
Sometimes a pre-game will offer you a lot of time to welcome the fans and provide a solid foundation for a great show. Others, you may only have a couple of minutes. Understanding how much time you have before you start will help guide you in the right direction as to what you will want to announce prior to the game. You can also include the starting line-ups or roster introductions during this time if there is not a formal time to introduce the teams. Add elements as you feel comfortable, all the elements below are what we typically have during our games, however if you feel there is too much for you to comfortably get through, choose the pieces you need and then add as you feel more comfortable.
| What To Announce | When/What To Announce | How To Announce |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome | This should typically be the first thing you announce to the crowd. This will be you welcoming the crowd to the game, a brief introduction of the teams, the game sponsor and maybe some additional information as needed. The site would be the name of the gymnasium/field/rink/etc. The more attention to detail you show, the more professional you will sound. | “Good morning/afternoon/evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to (site name) for today’s (league/non-league) match-up between the visiting (Team B) and the (Team A)” Good evening, ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Giant Center as Planet Fitness presents tonight’s American Hockey League Atlantic Division match-up between the visiting Providence Bruins, and your Hershey Bears.” |
| Safety Rules | Rules of safety for your venue. This can include any of the following, keep each brief and to the point so you don’t lose the fans. | “For the courtesy and comfort of those around you, smoking is not permitted in (name of the facility). The use of artificial noise makers such as whistles, or the use of laser pointers are prohibited. Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. Nobody wants to miss a minute of the action so we ask that you do not leave your seat during play. Please help us keep (name of facility) clean by throwing your trash away when you leave your seat. Before and during the game, pucks/sticks/balls/etc. may enter the spectator areas at high rates of speeds and from varying directions. Please be alert as this could cause injury. Should you need First Aid, the First Aid station is located at (give location). Please do not enter the playing surface for any reason. This is for your safety as well as the safety of the athletes on the floor/field/pitch/rink. The use of flash photography is prohibited. Flashes may cause distraction which may lead to injury.” |
| Sportsmanship | Common in high school and college, the verbiage attached is similar to what has been provided by the NCAA to its member schools. Be sure to change “site of competition” to the name of the facility you are currently in. | “The (league) and its member schools ask all participants to support our shared goal of promoting positive sportsmanship in an exciting and respectful sporting environment. We request your help in establishing an atmosphere that is free from the use of profanity, vulgarity, racial or sexist comments, personal insults, and other intimidating actions directed at student-athletes, coaches, officials and team representatives. Such actions will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the site of competition. Additionally, consumption of alcohol and use of tobacco products is prohibited. Creating a positive environment and an enjoyable experience for all starts with you.” |
| Programs/ Game Information | Most sites are turning to digital game information and may not have hard copies of rosters and notes. Others still provide hard copies, letting fans know where they can get their information before the game is important. | “Digital game programs for today’s game are available at (website) or by scanning the QR codes available near the main entrance. Rosters, notes, and more all available in our digital game program, just scan the QR code now!” |
| Officials Needed | This announcement, we have started to do at all amateur sporting events to help officials organizations gain new members. You will need to do some research to find out who the officials associations are in your local area to complete the final sentence. | “Help to grow the sport and become an official. Officials organizations all over America are looking for new officials to help grow the sport. Don’t referee from the sidelines or the seats; come on down, get in the game, and grow the sport in a positive way. For more information on joining (the local officials organization), visit (website).” |
In-Game Announcing
During the game there will be timeouts and breaks where you can add additional information for your team or organization. Feel free to add these as you are more comfortable.
| What To Announce | When/What To Announce | How To Announce |
|---|---|---|
| Upcoming Games | If fans have a good time, they’ll want to come back so make sure they know when they can come back along with how to get tickets and other information. The best time to start these announcements would be the midway point through the end of the game. | “The Cavaliers will be back in action tomorrow at 3 p.m. as they host St. Joseph’s Prep. It’s Teddy Bear Donation Day, bring a teddy bear and receive $1 admission to the game! For more information, check out (website).” |
| Upcoming Events | Your team or organization may have upcoming events that are unrelated to a game. The team or organization is probably hoping to get a few more people to attend, this is where you come in. | “Join the Stags for the annual Balloon Dart Toss. For every balloon that is popped by a dart, Hammers Hardware will donate $5, and an additional $5,000 if all are popped. The Balloon Dart Toss will take place this Saturday at 11 a.m. in front of the Convocation Center, dart tosses are $1 each with all proceeds to benefit Stag Charities. For more information visit (website).” |
| Team/League Website | Promote not just the team you’re announcing for, but the entire athletic program or sports organization. | “Follow Shenandoah’s 22 sports teams over three seasons by visiting www.suhornets.com. There you can download the official athletics app, view rosters, news and purchase tickets to all Shenandoah University games. That’s at www.suhornets.com.” “The Reston Raiders are looking for new members for their boys and girls programs. Do you have a friend that likes to play hockey? Have them visit RestonRaiders.com to learn more about the organization and it’s programs. That’s RestonRaiders.com” |
| Social Media Outlets | Never more important and gaining more and more traction every year, social media is an important communication tool for organizations to utilize. Whether it’s for the entire program or one team, promoting social media outlets for your programs will help them gain followers which will benefit beyond organization beyond the game. | “Dickinson Athletics can be found on Instagram & YouTube at DickinsonAthletics, on X formerly knows as Twitter at DsonRedDevils, and Facebook at DickinsonRedDevils. See the latest from the Red Devils 25 athletics programs on social media.” |
| Sponsors | The life blood of any organization, sponsors provide a variety of services and monetary support to keep things running. When thanking sponsors, make sure fans know who they are, what they do, and how they can make contact with them. | “Kelly Services is the official landscaper of the Bulldogs Athletic Club. Contact Rich Kelly at (555) 555-1212 to get your lawn greener and those weeds under control.” |
Post Game Announcing
Some of the same things you mentioned during the game, you can also announce post-game.
| What To Announce | When/What To Announce | How To Announce |
|---|---|---|
| Upcoming Games | If fans have a good time, they’ll want to come back so make sure they know when they can come back along with how to get tickets and other information. The best time to start these announcements would be the midway point through the end of the game. | “The Cavaliers will be back in action tomorrow at 3 p.m. as they host St. Joseph’s Prep. It’s Teddy Bear Donation Day, bring a teddy bear and receive $1 admission to the game! For more information, check out (website).” |