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Local Sports

Local sports in the Panhandle are not just a game, they are a lifestyle. Our community eats, sleeps and breathes cheering on our local athletes.
News13 is On Your “Sidelines” bringing you more than the score.
News13’s Stephen Gunter is committed to giving you stories of the Panhandle’s top athletes, intriguing match-ups and unusual sports you may not even know exist.
sgunter@wmbb.com

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

The Voice of Tommy Oliver Stadium

PANAMA CITY, Fla.—From walking through the ticket gate.  To the hot dogs and burgers sizzling on the grill. 

From climbing the concrete bleachers to hearing that raspy voice, reminiscent of the University of Georgia announcer Larry Munson, coming over the speakers lets you know you’re watching a game at Tommy Oliver Stadium.

“His voice is part of the field, part of the stadium,” Bay quarterback Bert Reed said.  “You want to hear that voice on friday night.”

It’s a voice that’s been apart of the stadium for four decades.

“I’m just pleased to have this job,” announcer Don Heaton said.  “I have the best seat in the house and get paid for it.”

Heaton got the job after Shorty Rankins died of a heart attack.  Prior to taking the public address duties, Heaton was a local television sports reporter in Panama City.

Now he announces every Bay and Rutherford high school game at the stadium.

“If I make an error, I make it one time,” Heaton said.  “I get told by enough people to get it corrected.  A parent usually comes up and tells me how they want their child’s names said.”

Like most stadium announcers, Heaton has his own “catch phrases”.

“When [the Bay football team] comes out, I say storm warnings are up!  Storm warnings are up!  Here comes the tornadoes!”

“It’s just good to hear that,” Bay defensive end Brian Gilbert said.  “He’s the Pat Summerall and John Madden of high school football around here.”

“I try to tell the good things that happen in a game,” Heaton said.  “When a fumble happens, I really don’t point out the person, he feels bad enough, he don’t need his name brought out.”

Retirement is not in the near future for Heaton.  He said if there’s not football, he can’t imagine doing nothing on a Friday night!

“The most beautiful sound in the world to anyone is hearing their own name.”

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