mickey mouse nonsense.

Last weekend I had my one and only opportunity to re-visit my college alma mater, Indiana University South Bend. I went to IUSB from 1988-94 (two years were part-time). It was at IUSB where I cut my teeth as a P.A. announcer. I believe it was the 1991-92 basketball season when I first gave it a shot. I did P.A. announcing for about two seasons while a student. I had absolutely no prior training of any sort. I simply took the mic when the then-coach and A.D. Jerry Jones (not that Jerry Jones!) and Eugene Love (director of student life) asked if I'd do it. They were in a jam, so I agreed, somewhat reluctantly. I graduated in 1994 and moved to Indianapolis. As luck or fate would have it, I took a job at IUSB in 1997 and immediately got involved with the athletics program as soon as I could.

Once again, when they were in a pinch, I filled in as a P.A. announcer at the last minute. I spent that first season being a "part-timer" and then did it full-time for a couple seasons.

When I came back to Indianapolis in 2001, I found my way to the IUPUI athletics dept. and got involved right away. Again, with luck or fate on my side, I backed my way into the P.A. gigs with the soccer and basketball teams (both, men's and women's).

So I guess I've got about nine years of experience as a P.A. announcer under my belt. Not to sound like a bigshot (because I'm sooooo not!), but I can't help but pay extra attention to announcers whenever I watch a game on TV or attend one in person.

It was with that in mind, that sent me back to campus last Saturday for IUSB's Senior Day 2005.

The program is different than when I was there. They've got their own on-campus facility. But fan/student interest wanes. It sucks, too. Granted, it's NAIA, but still. I digress.

I commend the athletics department for doing their absolute best to put on a professional operation. In many respects, I think they do a great job. I only wish SOMEBODY would light a fire under that student body!

As for their announcer....well, I'd bet he's a college student. And I'd bet he's friends with people in the program. I don't think I'd ever say it to his face, but he needs to at least make an attempt at professionalism, in my opinion.

Everything seems like a big joke to him. He's not very good. He doesn't have a very good voice. He doesn't coordinate the music very well, so there's lots of dead air. In short, he's pretty Bush League.

Grow up, son. And take it seriously. You can certainly have fun at it and even sneak in a one-liner or two. But don't shirk your duties. It's an embarrassment to the team.

I'd ditch him next year, if I were that A.D. If you want to be taken seriously, you've got to ditch the Mickey Mouse nonsense.

Fortunately, the women's team won while I was there. The men's team got rolled. IUSB's women's team has been dominant in their conference for the past 10 years. The men's team? Well...

I hear they're hiring their coaches full-time next season. That's quite a turn for this program. Now lets' hope they start building a following and growing that program.

Man, what I would do with that program if given the opportunity...