MARK SPRADLIN , PICTURED LEFT , SPEAKS INTO THE MICROPHONE AT HALLIBURTON FIELD IN DUNCAN DURING A DUNCAN DEMONS FOOTBALL GAME . JASON MCPHERSON , FAR RIGHT , JOINS BRENT LEMONS AND DR . RYAN SCOTT TO BROADCAST THE MARLOW OUTLAWS ’ STATE CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY IN THE PRESS BOX ON THE CAMPUS OF UCO IN EDMOND .
the
VOICE of
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BROADCASTING STUDENT SUCCESSES LIVE ON AIR
STORY BY ANDY MORPHEW , PHOTOS SUBMITTED
In the words of American sports commentator Ernie Harwell , “ In radio , they say nothing happens until the announcer says it happens .”
That ’ s because announcers and their audiences establish a rapport with each game scheduled and called . From there , a familiarity builds as the same voice sounds the plays for the favored team
As student athletes take to the field and learn a variety of lessons from different sporting activities , Mark Spradlin and Jason McPherson , announcers in Duncan and Marlow , take to their booths and get ready to go on the air . They ’ re eager to cover the game and watch the athletes in action .
When the Demons kicked off on Sept . 16 , 2022 , Spradlin began 15th year as the public address announcer for Duncan Football .
McPherson , in Outlaw country , comes in a little ahead of Spradlin . McPherson , in his 23rd season on KFXI Foxy 92 , enters his 11th year announcing from the booth for football .
These two voices had different reasons for why they got involved and how they found themselves behind the microphone .
For Spradlin , it was a simple conversation .
“ It all started with girls high school volleyball . Dr . Steve Gregg and I both had daughters playing ,” Spradlin said . “ One night while sitting in the stands , we thought having someone announcing the match and playing songs in the break might be fun . I
26 DUNCAN MAGAZINE | FALL 2022