McManigal and Porter take announcing HMS, freshman, JV sports to new level

April 16, 2010 • Jacob Yingst  
Filed under Features, Sports

Many people go to the middle school, freshman and JV football games at Holton High to watch football. But according to sophomore Jacob Tanking, there are other reasons to go.

“Drew Porter, junior, and Chris McManigal, father of senior Carlene McManigal, make the games worthwhile. They provide entertainment by joking around and just having fun,” he said.

During Porter’s eighth-grade year, he was sitting in the bleachers when Chris McManigal approached him and asked him if he wanted to help work in the booth.

“He told me that if I would help him out, I would receive free food and get into the games for free,” Porter said.

Porter said it took him to his second year of working in the booth to get used to Chris’s personality. Porter hasn’t always been the star though. His first year in the booth Mark Bowser was a senior and was the one who did the stats at the game. Porter was considered the waterboy, getting food and candy for the people working in the booth. After Bowser graduated, Porter took more responsibilty and was in charge of taking stats and finding who made the tackle.

“Working in the booth is a lot of fun, but it also takes a lot of hard work. If you don’t do your job it makes Chris look bad. which would definitely be a bad thing,” Porter said.

For the four years Drew Porter and Chris McManigal have been the announcers at Holton Middle School, freshman and JV football games, they have become known for their comical conversations and halftime trivia questions.

Porter says the trivia question is usually an NFL question. The winner gets a miniature football signed by THE Drew Porter. People know when it’s time for the question because they play the “Hey Porter” song by Johnny Cash.

McManigal finds enjoyment in poking fun at Porter, pointing out that Porter is “vertically challenged” any chance he gets.

“We’re tight, man.  He does pick on me, but when push comes to shove he loves me,” Porter said.

Community members Kevin Alford, Bob Miller, and Perry Moore also help in the booth. They keep track of the yards per game, who makes the tackle, and running the scoreboard.

“These guys are really the guys the make the show happen. A lot of people may think Chris does it all, but without these guys, the announcing wouldn’t be nearly as good,” Porter said.

Working in the booth has strengthened the relationship of Porter and McManigal. Porter says he really looks up to Chris. Chris gives Porter tips on his sporting events also.

“After every game I play, the first two people I talk to about it are my dad and Chris. I like talking to Chris because he tells it how it is, so when he compliments a person, it means a lot,” Porter said.

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