ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Rollie Britsch – The Man Behind The Microphone

Announcer Tells Of Highs, Lows As The Voice Of The Blue Streaks




Rollie Britsch

Rollie Britsch

(Editor’s note: This is the second part of a two-part interview with Rollie Britsch, longtime announcer for Archbold High School football and boys basketball.)

In his 30-plus years of public address announcing at Archbold High School, Britsch has had his share of funny moments, proud moments, and moments when words were hard to come by.

“I don’t know if anyone knows it or not or anyone cares, but I am a Michigan fan,” says Britsch. “I like the Wolverines.

“But it was an honor to go with the band when they played at the state (football) tournament and I announced them into the Horseshoe.

“I had press clearances to go up to the press box. I did the announcing for the pregame and halftime show of the band at Ohio Stadium.

“For a Michigan fan, that was kind of a big deal.”

When asked about a story that sticks out in Britsch’s mind, he responds almost immediately.

“There’s only one story that I can tell you about,” he said.

“It was the last year at Spengler Field.

“It was getting close to volleyball tournament time and toward the end of the football season.

“Normally they wanted you to promote upcoming events, and Blue Streak fans were supposed to go out and support them.

“I was to announce that Archbold was going to be playing in the first ‘sectional’ volleyball game.

“I started my announcement and I said, ‘Alright, Blue Streak fans, make a note on your calendar.

“‘On Thursday, Archbold will be playing in the girls ‘sexual’ volleyball tournament.’

“I remember it like yesterday. Joe Frank and Marc Fruth were standing behind me and the next thing I heard were two thuds.

“They both fell on the floor saying, ‘I can’t believe he said that!’

“Right away I said, ‘what did I say?’

“I happened to look down from the press box and everybody in the Archbold stands was turned around looking right at me and said, ‘What did he say?”

On the other hand, in times of heartache and loss, the right words can be hard to find.

Announcing those words is an even harder chore.

Britsch has had his share of hard moments.

“There was a young boy named Ernie Zavala.

“He had passed away from cancer,” said Britsch.

Zavala was a freshman band member who passed away in the fall of 1990.

“That year (the band) was asked to perform at a Taylor University football game. Mr. Hoverman wrote me a script for the show,” said Britsch.

“The band got into a formation and they had a distinct opening like there was someone missing.

“I was supposed to then ask the fans to notice on the field there was a definitive void in the band, and that is where Ernie Zavala was supposed to be playing.

“That was kind of a tough one.”

An act of solidarity made quite the impression on Britsch, one that made him change his usual routine for the better.

“Normally after a football or basketball game I try to thank the people for attending and have a safe journey home, and then I do some recaps,” he said.

“In the last number of years, the young men and ladies have been meeting at midfield and saying a community prayer.

“I saw them one time and I said, now, I can’t be announcing when they’re doing that.

“It was just a pleasure to sit down and see two groups of kids and the cheerleaders make a circle and get down on a knee and have a word of prayer, which was kind of awesome.

“After I saw that the first time I said, ‘Rollie, shut up!

“They don’t need to hear you talking when they’re out there praying in the middle of the football field or center court.’

“Since then, that’s what I’ve been trying to do; be quiet and let them say their prayer.”

Calling It Right Down The Middle

The one thing that separates Rollie Britsch from other announcers in the area is his ability to make both schools feel like the home team.

Never one to show favoritism to the hometown team, Britsch makes it a point to call it the right way.

“When I started out, the state of Ohio had a guideline for public address announcers. The first thing was, don’t show any partiality,” said Britsch.

“You’re on the microphone, you’re calling the game, you’re announcing the game. Do it the same for both teams.

“You can’t show partiality. You’ve got to be even with both teams.

“If I ever have to (show partiality), that’s the day I’ll hang up the microphone.”

“I Just Enjoy High School Sports”

Britsch has been a part of more than 350 basketball games and 200 football games in his time at Archbold.

During that time, he has had the privilege of calling the names of two generations of players.

“Depending how long (AHS athletic director) Al Gladieux will keep me on the job, if I get to the third generation to announce kids I might have to think about quitting before then,” Britsch joked.

“It’s funny. I can remember when Kevin Morton was in high school, and his son (Garrett) was the quarterback umpteen years later.

“It certainly is an honor to be around that long. Now you’re seeing the third generation coming up as they’re starting to come into the junior high.”

His love for sports, high school sports especially, drives his desire to continue in the announcing field.

“I enjoy a high school football game and I really enjoy high school basketball,” said Britsch.

“Where else can I go to a game, get in free, sit on the 50-yard line in a warm, heated press box or at the jump site at center court?

“That’s a no-brainer! You gotta take that one whenever you can get it.”

Community, Kids, And Family

Britsch considers it an honor to be a part of Archbold schools and the community, and how the student athletes and coaches handle themselves with class.

“We’ve had some great coaches in the past, and they’ve been real gentlemen,” Britsch said.

“I’m sure they’ve lost their temper at times, but usually they’ve represented the community real well.

“The kids (are) the same way. They play their hearts out.

“Whether they’re ahead by 40 points or behind by 20, the kids pretty near all the time play their hearts out.

“That’s the neat part of being part of it.”

Today, in addition to working with his brother and nephew at Britsch, Inc., he spends his time with his wife, Lonna, and their two daughters, Stacie and Sarah, as well as lots of time with their grandchildren.

Whenever Rollie Britsch decides to turn the microphone off for good, it will be the end of a long and successful career that has touched the lives of all who have had the pleasure to hear his voice.

One thing is for sure. You’ll never hear any complaints from Britsch on his time behind the mic.

“I don’t make a heck of a lot of money,” he said, “but I’ve got the best seat in the house.”


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *