Duncan... The Magazine Fall 2022 | Page 27

didn ’ t have any experience , but there was a need , so I thought why not ? I brought my laptop to the next match , and JD Taylor got me mic ’ d up and things just took off from there .”
Foxy 92 just celebrated its 35th anniversary on air as a radio station in Stephens County . KFXI first went on the air on Aug . 1 , 1987 , and the first football game broadcast from the station aired on Sept . 4 of that same year . McPherson , part of the Foxy family , said his interest in becoming the voice of the Outlaws grew from listening to different radio personalities .
“ I had always had an interest in radio play-by-play , whether it was professional – CBS radio MLB games on Saturdays or Monday Night Football with Jack Buck and Hank Stram – college – Big Bob Barry at OU and Bill Teegins at OSU – or Terry Brown and DB Green on the high school games ,” McPherson said . “ I didn ’ t know I was doing it at the time , but I learned a lot about cadence , vocabulary and rhythm .
In fall 2008 , then Duncan Athletic Director Burl White knew the previous public address announcer for Duncan football just finished their last season and a need was there .
White then asked Spradlin to pick up the duties for the Duncan Demons football team and the rest , as he said , is history as he joins his old buddies , Billy Lard and Rodney Wade up in the booth on Friday nights .
And receiving the title of announcer where you live is a very special opportunity .
“ High school football is such a big part of small town Americana . There are so many people – administration , parents ,
THE KFXI CREW WENT LIVE ON THE AIR FOR THE FIRST TIME ON AUG . 1 , 1987 . CURRENT FOXY 92 STAFF , WHO PLAY A HUGE PART OF BROADCASTING STEPHENS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS , CELEBRATED 35 YEARS ON THE AIR IN AUGUST 2022 .
teachers , students , coaches , players , fans – that make Friday nights so great ,” Spradlin said . “ To have the opportunity , just to be a very small part of Duncan High School ’ s storied football history has been a lot of fun .”
McPherson , who officially broadcast over 1,200 basketball games in 2021-2022 , said the reason he loves mic ’ ing up is to help people who can ’ t be at the game physically enjoy it as much as he loves broadcasting it .
Preparation is key for both McPherson and Spradlin . McPherson said that part is what brings him back time and time again .
“ I still love it . I love the preparation . A football game takes about six to eight hours of prep ,” McPherson said . “ Basketball is a lot less labor intensive , maybe 30 minutes per game , but there are a lot more games . I usually call around 50 to 55 per year .”
That ’ s a lot of games when you think about it .
In his 15 years calling , Spradlin has made many memories as well . So many it ’ s almost hard to choose which is his favorite .
“ There are so many to choose from ,” Spradlin said . “ There have been countless times where contests had everyone in the stands on the edge of their seat . During those times it ’ s really hard for me to stay calm and call the game .
“ I ’ d probably have to say the very first playoff game I called in 2011 against Ada High School sticks out from all the others ,” Spradlin decided . “ They came to town , and tough we were the favorite to win , everyone thought it would be a close game . Duncan ended up routing the Cougars 45 to 7 .”
With school in session and football season underway , both Spradlin and McPherson are ready to sound from the booth and celebrate their team ’ s and athletes ’ successes .
To listen to McPherson on the airwaves at Foxy 92 , visit www . kfxi . com or tune into 92.1 FM . To listen to Spradlin , attend any home game for the Duncan Demons and you ’ ll hear his voice sound through the PA system at Halliburton Stadium .
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