Woodward, Okla. — For 13 years, the same familiar voice has called over 500 Woodward football and basketball games combined as well as numerous track meets.

It is a voice that gets excited when the Boomers score or make a big play.

This “Voice of the Boomers” belongs to Bryan Stephenson.

Stephenson started his announcing career for the Boomers in the fall of 1998.

According to Stephenson, he was first asked by the school to lead pep assemblies, but was asked later to also announce the Boomer home football and basketball games.

“Mary Jane Bassett did the (basketball) announcing, after she stopped announcing Terry Nelson did it for a year,” Stephenson said. “(Then) the school asked me to do it. And I have loved every second of it.”

He would even love to call the Boomers away games, Stephenson said, but “unfortunately they (away teams) have their own announcers for their games.”

However, he said he will settle for announcing at the home games as long as the school will let him.

“I have no intention of backing off from announcing,” Stephenson said.

You can catch him in action this weekend as he calls Class B area tournament games at Boomer Fieldhouse today and Saturday.



SPORTS ANNOUNCING BRINGS "PERSONAL SATISFACTION"

Stephenson said announcing is a way for him to stay involved with sports.

“Back in the 1980s before I came to Woodward, I was a football and track coach (WHERE???), and I was busy all the time and I didn’t get to see my children that much,” he said, noting he wanted to get away from coaching to spend time with children as they were growing up.

Stephenson came to Woodward as a teacher, but now currently works in the IT Department of the school.

While he enjoyed his time as a teacher, Stephenson said, “Announcing is probably my favorite thing I have done since I have been in the (Woodward) district."

He described announcing as a “personal satisfaction” to him.

“I feel like I can contribute to the atmosphere of the games, whether that be football or basketball games,” he said.

Stephenson added, the sporting events are about the kids and the excitement they have during the games.

“I want to add a little bit of spice to make their time here memorable,” he said.

Stephenson said he also likes to get the crowd excited and into the game.

One way Stephenson tries to get the crowd involved is by playing music during timeouts and halftimes of the games, he said.

“I enjoy looking around the crowd and seeing them tapping their foot to the music,” Stephenson said. “If the crowd gets excited, I get excited.”



FAVORITE MOMENTS

Stephenson said he has several favorite moments as an announcer for both football and basketball.

“In football, I remember calling the play that took us into the playoffs in 2005,” he said.

As for Boomer basketball, he said, “I enjoyed watching Bryce Jantz play, and now I enjoy watching Seth (Heckart) play. Seeing them do what they do on that court is an amazing feeling.”

Stephenson added, he calls all games like they are a championship game.

“No matter if they (teams) are playing for first or last place, I will call them all the same,” he said, noting if he can do something to make a memorable experience for the players he will.

Stephenson said, players have come up to him and said they can’t wait to play again so they can hear him announce their name or call the action during the game.



RESPECTED AND COMPLIMENTED BY ALL

In addition, Stephenson's colleagues have only nice things to say about him and his announcing skills.

Long-time friend and basketball scorekeeper for the Boomers, Mary Servis described Stephenson as a cheerleader.

“He can cheer up the students and players when no one else can,” she said.

Servis added, Stephenson has a great relationship with the students.

“He has a close relationship with the students, but it also a respectful relationship,” she said.

As far as Servis is concerned, Stephenson's announcing is what gives the Boomers a home field advantage.

“I think knowing the students can hear him announcing their names, they know he (Stephenson) is supporting them which gives them extra motivation to play harder during the games,” she said.

Servis added, she can’t count how many players, fans and coaches from the opposite have come over and told her how much they like Stephenson’s announcing and the job he does.

“People from other towns are always complimenting his  announcing skills, and how he calls the games right down the middle without always picking Woodward’s side,” she said.

Athletic Director Andy Newby said the number one thing Stephenson brings to the games is enthusiasm.

“No matter what the situation is or who is playing he (Stephenson) is always enthusiastic about what he is doing,” Newby said.

Stephenson's love for being in the basketball gym or the football stadium shines through into his announcing, the athletic director said.

“He just does an amazing job every time he is announcing,” Newby said.