BY PARKER SULLIVAN AND COOPER HAYES

His formal profession is a lawyer, but at Mariemont he is known as the “Voice of the Warriors.”

Announcing first became a part of sport spectating starting in 1921 when a fight was announced in Pittsburgh. Luckily, the art of announcing has evolved since its barbaric roots and has spread to much nicer places than Pittsburgh.

Bill Flynn, member of the Mariemont Board of Education, ex-Terrace Park Bulldog lacrosse coach, and Mariemont father, is the prominent figure in Mariemont announcing. He is the man on the mic in football, basketball and lacrosse.

All jobs present specific challenges. Cincinnati is an ethnically diverse city and with diversity comes difficult-to-pronounce last names.

“The first challenge is of course getting it right.  Nobody notices when you get the names or the plays right, only when you screw up,” said Flynn. With difficult local names like Majchszak, Flynn has been able to master this trait.

Pronunciation is not always the problem. Flynn says, “One challenge is rosters that are just wrong or missing players – then I’m screwed and have to scramble.”

Music is used as a tool by announcers to keep the fans at bay between whistles. Flynn has to work to satisfy the masses of rowdy teenagers, while keeping things appropriate for all ages.

“’Blow My Whistle’ for example, great tune, but what the heck is that about?” Flynn mused.

Flynn does enjoy the music part though. He says that his choices are heavily influenced by the music of his childhood (70s and 80s rock).

This is not the only joy of the job. Flynn says that apart from playing or coaching, announcing is the best way to be a part of the action.

“I’ll never forget when Jimmy Beach made the shot to beat Moeller in lacrosse, and the press box went absolutely nuts.  The flip-side applies, too.  I still have nightmares about the Taylor triple overtime football game,” says Flynn.

For most athletes, high school athletics are the pinnacle of their careers. As an announcer Flynn works to give these athletes the best possible experience.

“If I can make the game-day experience a little more fun or exciting so that they can bank some really good memories that they can lie about in 20 years, then I feel like I have done a good job,” says Flynn.

Announcing helped Flynn to connect with his son, Erik, captain of the football and lacrosse teams, and editor of the Warpath. But the elder Flynn has bonds to more players than just his son.

“He calls me nicknames and it makes me feel special, almost like a son, but it’s better,” said senior football and lacrosse player Chris Comisar.

“It is always good to hear a familiar voice coming from the press box, and if the lawyer thing doesn’t work out he could definitely do this full time,” says senior quarterback and basketball player Matt Stewart.

Flynn doesn’t only connect with the players but with the fans too.

Senior Nick Walter explains that without Flynn the spectating experience would be a bit less colorful and lack the gusto he brings to the table.

“His play-by-play is brilliant.  He keeps you updated no matter what,” says Walter.

Sophomore Chris Cascella agrees and says that Flynn brings passion and humor to the equation. Cascella even goes as far as to use the word “angelic” to describe the announcing of Flynn.

Sophomore Haley Jacobs thinks that Flynn brings a bit of pride into the spectating experience.

“I just love being a Warrior when I hear his voice,” she says.