Don't let the look on my face fool you. I was actually enjoying my time in the Press Box at Tiger Stadium. I had just witnessed LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee throw another interception to the Georgia Bulldogs, so please forgive my ugly mug.
How could I not enjoy it? Besides the great view, full buffet, and virtual "Who's Who" of LSU VIPs and legendary sports media personalities, I was sitting right next to Dan Borne', the "Voice" of Tiger Stadium.
In addition to Mr. Borne' graciously allowing me to write this profile, he had invited me to come spot for him as he made the announcements for the LSU vs. Georgia game.
So, if you were in Death Valley that day and you heard Borne' announce that a tackle was made by someone other than who actually made it, that would be my fault!
For 22 years, Dan Borne' has been the "Voice of the Valley," and from that unique perspective, I thought that LSU fans and football fans everywhere would enjoy his insight, hilarious stories, and valuable life lessons. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
How did you come to be the PA announcer at Tiger Stadium?
Sid Crocker was the PA announcer at Tiger Stadium for 30 years. He and I worked together at WAFB (a Baton Rouge TV station), and back in 1968, when I was covering an LSU home game, he invited me to his box.
He said, "Come up and see me, because you never know, you might be doing this one day."
Fast forward almost 20 years later, Sid announced that he would be retiring as PA announcer. I called and asked him who would be replacing him, and he said, "I don't know."
I then wrote a letter to the LSU Athletic Department informing them of my interest in the job, but I never heard anything.
Then a few weeks before the 1986 season began, I got a phone call from LSU reps asking me if I was still interested in the job and would I come in to speak with them. I went in and introduced myself.
We exchanged some small talk and didn't talk very much about the position. They then informed me that the job was mine if I still wanted it because nobody else had asked for it. So a good life lesson is that if you want something, make sure you ask for it.
What is your favorite part about the job?
Announcing for LSU football and basketball games are my only true hobbies. I don't hunt, golf, or fish, so this is what I do as an escape from real life. I'm also an adjunct in the Manship School. I enjoy teaching and interacting with the young people.
Do your responsibilities preclude you from being able to participate in the legendary tailgating festivities LSU is known for?
16 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Justin Goar 7 months ago
this is awesome. i have a quick question, maybe you can refresh my memory cuz he mentioned it twice. i thought the game with AU to decide the west at the end of the season in which we rushed the field was in 01. the game was moved due to 9/11 not katrina. but he says it twice. i don't know but i wasn't there in '05 for the AU game (well for the second half, long story) but i would be almost sure that we wouldn't tear down the goalposts in 05.
i remember the '01 game b/c i sat in the AU section and that was our first ever sec west win that put us in atlanta. in '05 we played the AU game in october and we still had 3 games against western opponents (ole miss, bama, ark). so i think he simply mis-spoke. the only goal posts games i remember is the AU game in 01 and UF in 97. possibly the tenn game in 00.
but after the SEC championship in 01 i think the goal posts have stayed in tact. no reason to tear them down anymore.
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Brian Scott 7 months ago
I just got the ok from Dan to make the Katrina-9/11 correction and edited it accordingly. Good eye!
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Brad Logan 7 months ago
Brian. Ole Miss fan here. Really good story. I am the PA Announcer at a community college in Mississippi and admit, I have an enormous amount of respect for Dan. I met him five years ago and thanked him for what he does for the profession. Once again, great piece. Although I don't use it, during the CBS games, as the sun sets he proclaims the sun setting and night time in Death Valley. Chills my friend.
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Brian Scott 7 months ago
Thanks Brad. Dan is really a fun guy to talk to. He has so many stories that are hilarious - I wish I could have included more of them, He's a great motivational speaker as well.
What CC do you announce for?
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Brian Scott 7 months ago
I think you're right but I wasn't about to correct him ;)
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Justin Goar 7 months ago
he has many memorable quotes...
"The Gooooooooooooooooollllllllden Band from Tigerland!!!"
"Here come your Fighting Tigers of LSU!"
"It's Saturday Night....In Death Valley"
"Charles Scott (or any player really) for the scoooooooooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrre!!!!!!!!!"
(before we played tenn on a monday night due to hurricane) "It's monday night football in Death Valley!!!"
and of course...
"the temperature is 82 degrees, wind coming out of the west at 13 mph, chance of rain........NEVER!"
which is really refreshing in a teeming downpour.
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Brian Scott 7 months ago
Actually a different guy named Patrick makes the announcements for the band. I didn't know this either until I was up there.
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Justin Goar 7 months ago
ok my last comment i promise. he's actually great at basketball games. i can still remember back in my days as a student...
"clarence caeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesaarrrr for threeeeeeeee!!!!"
thanks bri, for giving us such a in depth look at borne'. when you run things at LSU maybe one day i can sit next to you in the press box and interview you.
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Brian Scott 7 months ago
The closest I'll ever get to running things at LSU is MAYBE selling bathroom break tickets outside of the port-a-let on game days!
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Mike 7 months ago
Great article Brian. He is an icon in LSU Sports.
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Brian Scott 7 months ago
Thanks Mike!
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Jeff Kneis 7 months ago
Great interview. He definitely had a lot of interesting things to say. I really enjoyed the stories he told.
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Brian Scott 7 months ago
Thanks Jeff. I wanted take a break from editorializing and do some real journalism. I'm just glad I was able to land such an LSU icon!
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Justin Goar 7 months ago
oh yeah, patrick wright my bad.
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Brian Scott 7 months ago
yep - Patrick Wright - nice guy
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Lisa Horne 7 months ago
Awesome beyond words...POTD, 10 stars. You asked great questions, and we would expect nothing less. Loved his humility...."even Donald Duck would sound decent". Now that's a guy who's honest and humble.
Great job Bri! Love the O face. (hee hee)
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