LSU P.A. Announcer Has Spent Nearly 23 Years Behind Mic
LSU PA announcer has spent nearly 23 years behind mic
By Robert Stewart, The Daily Reveille Dec 4, 3:21 EST
(CSTV U-WIRE) BATON ROUGE, La.-Nov. 15 was a unique day for Dan Borne.
It was the first time he worked as the LSU public address announcer in a me's basketball and a football game in the same day.
He has seen two football national championships, a men's basketball national player of the year and interviewed a Heisman Trophy winner.
Borne even covered former LSU basketball star Pete Maravich in 1970 while working for WAFB in Baton Rouge when Maravich broke the all-time college scoring record.
Borne said he still has the audio file from his postgame interview with Maravich.
"I'll tell you who ended up on the floor," Borne said. "Not the students and the media. The media ... stopped the game."
The unprecedented doubleheader and Pistol Pete's records are just two of the memories Borne cherishes in his more than 20 years as the voice of Tiger Stadium and the PMAC.
On the job
Former PA announcer Sid Crocker, who worked with Borne for two years at WAFB, stepped down in 1985 after 30 years as Tiger Stadium announcer.
Borne sent LSU a letter after Crocker retired, asking it to consider whim for the job.
He got a call from Jamie Kimbrough, the football sports information director at the time, inviting him to audition.
Borne immediately got the job and has had it ever since.
"I answered, ˜Thanks, but why?" Borne said. "Jamie said, ˜Because nobody else asked."
Borne rarely misses a game. He said he has missed one football game in 23 years as Tiger Stadium's PA announcer.
He had already planned to attend a church retreat that weekend when LSU played Kentucky on Oct. 14, 2006.
Senior Associate Sports Information Director Bill Franques, who also serves as the Alex Box Stadium PA announcer, filled in for Borne in that Kentucky contest.
"Some people told me ... they had no idea there was someone different doing the game," Franques said. "That's a great compliment."
Away from it all
Borne is also known for his sense of humor, telling his co-workers jokes during games to keep them entertained.
"If Dan could tell the jokes over the PA system that he can tell you one on one, I think the whole Tiger Stadium would just be rolling," said Greg Bowser, a color commentator for Cox Sports Television's broadcasts of LSU football games.
Borne worked with Bowser at the Louisiana Chemical Association since 1991.
Bowser is vice president of LCA and handles governmental affairs for the company. Borne is president of the organization.
"He kind of gives you your duties and what he expects," Bowser said. "But if there's an issue in your area of responsibility where you're not getting things done, he's not shy about letting you know about it."
Bowser said he met Borne when he was working for former governor Buddy Roemer.
But he said Borne remembered him from years ago when Bowser played defensive line at LSU from 1978 to 1982.
"He takes kind of a personal interest in getting to know the players," Bowser said. "Here I was, just another guy, I wasn't an All-American or anything like that. He knew who I was. He knew that I played. He knew a lot about my playing career."
History lesson
Borne has seen the ins and outs of Washington and the political scene. He worked for former Louisiana Senator Russell Long and former Governor Edwin Edwards.
"He has some unbelievable stories that he shares from time to time," Bowser said. "A lot of those stories reflect where we are today in Louisiana politics."
After working in politics, Borne worked at Kaiser Aluminum for 10 years as vice president, then moved on to LCA, Kaiser's parent organization.
"Some people think I make a living in PA," Borne said. "You're really anonymous in that stadium."
Borne is known for his weather report before each football game.
He announces temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and chance of rain.
The temperature was 50 degrees on November 15. Humidity was 45 percent, and winds moved northwest at 8 to 12 miles per hour.
The chance of rain? Never, like he usually announces.
"Dan has injected his own trademark into some of his announcements," Franques said. "The fans really enjoy it when he says that."
Like Franques, Borne has called baseball games. He called Nicholls State baseball games from 1964 to 1968.
He stayed close to home for college. His house was across the street from the Nicholls State campus.
"That's where I hung out as a kid," Borne said. "I just loved the place."
He planned to get a graduate degree in history at LSU before he got the job at WAFB. He switched to journalism shortly after being hired.
But Borne didn't get his master's degree in mass communication until 1998 because of his political career.
"It was sort of unfinished business," Borne said. "I really wanted to get a degree from LSU."
Playing by the rules
The PA box in Tiger Stadium is in the west corner of the south endzone, making it difficult at times for Borne to see game action.
He has two special "spotters" who use binoculars to help him identify players during football games.
He adheres to a strict schedule during games. He announces promotions and advertisements when told by his assistant, Patrick Wright.
"You don't have much leeway," Borne said. "You've got a few seconds here and there, so you've got to hit these things... on target."
Borne gets a chance to rest during the announcement of the starting lineups and performances by the Golden Band from Tigerland. Wright introduces the band, and starting lineups are pre-recorded.
"I record the name and number and position of every football player on the roster," he said.
Back to action
During halftime of the Troy game, Borne left the PA booth so Wright could do announcements for the band.
He came back right after the halftime festivities were done and was about to call a game ending nobody expected to happen.
LSU came from 28 points behind to beat Troy, 40-31.
LSU junior running back Charles Scott scored the go-ahead touchdown, sending the remaining fans into a frenzy.
"Charles Scott scores!!" Borne roared into the microphone.
It was the greatest comeback in LSU football history in terms of points, and it was another memorable event on this day of firsts for Borne.
After the game against Troy, Borne thanked his co-workers and spotters, then stayed in the press box area for about 90 minutes, grabbing a bite to eat before leaving.
He leaves Tiger Stadium and heads home once he's done. It's a routine he's used to by now.
"I guess you might say it's a great hobby," Borne said.