Jason Carr has been the voice of Mountain View Cougar athletics on and off for over 13 years. That number may not blow you away, unless you consider the fact that he’s 30 years old. Central Oregon Athlete caught up with the very busy Carr (you may have heard him on the Lars Larson show last week talking about Facebook’s move to Prineville – Carr works for Economic Development of Central Oregon) just in time for the big “Civil War” game on Friday, when Mountain View hosts rival Bend. You may also remember Carr from his days as a news anchor on KTVZ21 in Bend and on KEZI in Eugene
Central Oregon Athlete – How did you get started announcing games?
Jason Carr - I started announcing games in 1996, while I was a junior in high school. I was taking a media class, and former P.E. teacher, and Athletic Director, Robin Fallon, knew about my interest in broadcasting and asked if I’d be interested in announcing. It’s hard to believe, but this is my 13th year of announcing at Mt. View.
COA – What do you enjoy about it?
JC -I love the atmosphere of high school sports. There’s nothing like a high school football game under the lights in the fall, or a packed gym during a rivalry basketball game between Bend & Mt. View. You also develop relationships with the players, their families, coaches, and refs. Plus, I can get pretty intense during a game, so I get to relieve that tension through announcing! (Although, you learn to get the crowd into it without being obnoxious.)
COA – Any special memories from any particular games?
JC -There are so many it’s hard to keep track. I’d probably have to say a boys basketball game between Bend and Mt. View. I can’t remember the exact year, but it was around 1999-2000. The game was close throughout, and the gym was standing-room only. Mt. View was down by two-points with just a few seconds to go, and one of the players hit a three at the buzzer to win it. When you announce as long as I have, you’re bound to see a few games like that.
COA – When you were getting started did you ever practice away from the game, like announcing what others cars were doing while you’re driving?
JC – No, I don’t really practice that much before a game. I just drink lots of water to keep my mouth and throat moist. After working in TV for 10-years, I gained a lot of experience using my voice, and I’ve read some materials about the do’s and don’ts of public address announcing. I have to say that I listened a lot to Mike Stone, the former PA guy for the Blazers back in the Drexler era, along with Don Essig, the PA announcer at Autzen Stadium. Honestly, the biggest thing I worry about is pronouncing the kids’ names correctly, so I spend a lot of time going over the rosters. Some parents take it real personally when you pronounce their child’s name wrong.
COA – Any advice for someone who’d like to either announce or get into broadcasting?
JC – If someone is interested in broadcasting, I’d suggest taking journalism and writing classes in high school, and see if there are any internships or part-time jobs available at a local TV/radio station. I got my foot in the door at KTVZ by interning in the sports department, and then working part-time as a camera operator in the studio.
COA – Anything else to add?
JC – Even thought it’s a ton of fun, I take the job seriously. You learn quickly that some PA announcers are so over-the-top that they distract from the game. Your number one responsibility is to provide the crowd with information about the game, and make it exciting for them. If people start focusing on the PA announcer, rather than the game, you’re not doing your job.
The Ducks and Beavers play on ESPN, Thursday night for a trip to the Rose Bowl. Just two Central Oregon prepsters are on the Ducks and Beavers rosters and only one of them will you see playing on Thursday. Below are links to the two teams rosters, where you’ll see that Oregon has 23 homegrown Oregon kids, while Oregon State has 33.