Mark Spradlin's journey in announcing Duncan high school games has been a remarkable one. From the early days of volleyball games to the present, his passion for sports and dedication to creating an exciting atmosphere have left a lasting impact.

Celebrating 20 Years of Game-Announcing Excellence

Volleyball Beginnings

In September, Mark Spradlin was pleasantly surprised with a plaque commemorating his 20 years of announcing. Athletic Director Kevin Kelly presented the award during a home football game at Halliburton Stadium. The plaque bore a phrase he often said, "That’s Good for Another Duncan Demon First Down."It all started when Spradlin and his friend Steven Gregg attended a volleyball game where their daughters were playing. In those early years, the gym was quite quiet during time-outs and pre-game. The two dads came up with the idea of making the games more enjoyable for fans and players. Spradlin first announced the freshmen players and then the JV game. This led to a growing interest and he soon became a DJ and announcer, securing sponsors from the community.His wife, Barb, shared that he truly wanted to generate excitement at the games. Some high school students who played instruments even participated. Over the years, he coordinated with the band directors to play music as needed."I was doing it because I loved sports and it all started with volleyball for my daughters (Haley, Jill and Taylor). Steve’s daughter, Sarah, was also on the team when we began," he said.

Basketball and Football

After volleyball season ended, at the request of Athletic Director Burl White, Spradlin started announcing basketball games. He continued announcing volleyball games for four years until his daughters graduated. White also asked him to announce football games, and Spradlin was more than happy to take on the role.Involving the community became an integral part of Friday night football games. "He worked with the community and business leaders," Barb said. Spradlin asked business owners to share key "selling points" that he could use during the games to promote their businesses. This effort benefited the Booster Clubs, the 12th Man and 5th Quarter groups.Organization was crucial for every game. His script of notes was prepared differently for each game and included school announcements like Project Graduation, other athletic achievements, and recognition of teachers.Even though he was well-prepared, there were moments of fun and unexpected situations. Like leaving the microphone on or using a secret word to let his family know he was thinking of them. Barb and their daughters would sit on the visitor's side, within sight of the home announcer's box."I used secret words that were not football related, as a message to my girls and wife," he said. "People would wonder what I was talking about, but it was just a fun way to connect. Words like umbrella or jalapeño, random yet meaningful." Some of their friends and coaches' wives also caught on. Last year, Coach Matt Terry's wife, Rachel, asked if the secret word was jalapeño.

Behind the Scenes Support

It was not just Spradlin on the stage; there were many people who helped behind the scenes. In the earlier years, when his daughters were still in school, it was easy to remember the players' names with the help of high school secretaries and athletic directors."I worked with five athletic directors over the 20 years. The secretaries were very helpful in pronouncing the boys' names, especially during homecoming games," Spradlin said. He made frequent visits to the office to ensure he was well-prepared before a Friday home game."Parents wanted to hear their kids' names, and the players also paid attention. I tried to make it fun by jazzing it up and including names of people in the audience or pastors, tying it into sponsor commercials," Barb added. Spradlin also made sure to recognize visiting teams and use their names.Now, after 20 years, Spradlin has decided to retire from the game announcing position. They have grandchildren who live far away and are getting involved in intramural sports. "We want to be able to go and see them," he said.