By Parvi Anand
If you’ve ever been to a Lovett football game, pep rally, or volleyball match, chances are you’ve heard the voice that sets the tone for every play and pump-up song. That voice belongs to none other than Mr. Chow, math teacher, assistant swim coach, and, as some like to call him, the “Voice of Lovett Athletics.”
Now in his third year as an announcer at Lovett, Mr. Chow has become an essential part of the game-day experience. But this isn’t his first time behind the mic; he also spent four football seasons announcing at his previous school before bringing his talents to Lovett.
“When I first interviewed here, Coach Harner was one of the people on the panel,” Mr. Chow recalled. “I asked him if Lovett had an announcer and told him I was interested. He sent me an email, and I like to joke that I got a lifetime contract, so I’m here forever.”
For Mr. Chow, announcing is about more than calling plays; it’s about creating an atmosphere.
“School spirit has always been big for me,” he said. “I was voted Most School Spirit in high school and even cheered in college. The game-day experience matters, the players and cheerleaders are doing their jobs, and the fans are there to support. The announcer and music tie it all together.”
From football and volleyball to pep rallies, diving meets, baseball, and even lacrosse, Mr. Chow gets to experience nearly every corner of Lovett athletics. His preparation for game day starts long before kickoff and is surprisingly structured.
“Usually, I try to stay hydrated, get a nap in, and eat before the game. Once the mic is on, there’s no eating,” he said with a laugh. “For football, I start the pregame playlist at 6:30 and begin talking around 7:15. I also make sure any songs requested by players or cheerleaders are clean and ready to go. It’s a team effort; our media staff and broadcasting students help a ton. I just happen to be the one people hear.”
When it comes to keeping track of players during faster-paced games, Mr. Chow has a system in place. “In the football booth, there’s a student with binoculars helping me spot plays, and I’ve got my own pair too,” he explained. “I always keep rosters of the team in front of me, so if I can read a number, I can call the play correctly.”
He also works closely with other members of the booth, who run the scoreboard or track assists for volleyball, to ensure every call is accurate. While he doesn’t have an earpiece, teamwork makes all the difference. “It’d be convenient if I could memorize everyone,” he said. “But by mid-season, I typically know the numbers better, like for example number 3, that’s Thomason.”
To maintain his energy throughout, he has a fairly common strategy. “My first three steps to keeping energy up are #1 caffeine, #2 caffeine, and #3 more caffeine,” he joked. “But honestly, because I care about our teams and our school, that excitement comes naturally.”
Mr. Chow admits he puts on a slightly different voice when he’s announcing. “I dig into a deeper register, deeper voices carry better through the air,” he explained. “I also try to enunciate and really over-pronounce everything. Anything mumbled sounds a hundred times worse when it’s that loud.”
One of his most memorable moments this season came during a football game when quarterback Sam Abney (10th) threw a pass that was deflected, only to catch it himself. “I got to say, ‘Abney’s pass complete to Abney,’” Mr. Chow laughed. “It was one of those moments that just sticks. And seeing the Diffley twins (12th) make a play together? That’s the fun part, those family connections.”
Beyond the microphone, Mr. Chow sees announcing as a lesson in teamwork and communication. “Leadership and being noticed go hand in hand,” he said. “As the announcer, I’m the one people hear, but there’s an entire crew behind me making it work, from the rosters to the media setup. We’ve built a great system where everyone knows their role, and that’s what keeps everything running smoothly.”
The most rewarding part for Mr. Chow? Well, he put it best: “Even though I’m not cheering on the sidelines anymore, this is my way of giving back and it’s a lot of fun.”
