Really, we're all just doing our best Steve Williard impressions.
That's what I think when I hear myself, either of the Rives boys, or even Ryan Ploeckelman -- who I'm not sure ever even heard Steve Williard give voice to an Austin Peay sporting -- at a Govs' football game. We all have a style, cadence, delivery, and panache to call our own. Not to put too much of a spotlight on it, but in a collective way, I think we're about as good a group as you'll find behind the mic, sharing a collective passion, knowledge, and commitment to elevating public address at Austin Peay athletic events to something more than rote recitation of fouls and scores, down and distance, pitching changes and pinch-hitters. We each try, in our own way, to give a little something special to the game.
But there's only one Steve.
For a decade, he was the voice out at Raymond C. Hand Park. For nearly three decades, his were the booming vocals at Governors Stadium, long before the updates and care transformed it into Fortera Stadium as we know it today. But his calling card was his 39-year run on the mic for Governor's basketball, a remarkable tenure that spanned nearly the entirety of Austin Peay's time in the Dunn Center, something he did almost purely for love of the game—so generous was Williard with donating his money to the University and the athletic department that he was accorded the Alumni Association's Outstanding Service Award in 2007.
The thing we'll never be able to properly appreciate is how Steve's distinctive baritone was the backing track for almost every memorable moment in the Dunn over the course of the building's venerable history. If the hum of the crowd was the bass line and the distinctive play of Bubba Wells or Trenton Hassell or whichever incredible player was putting on the show that evening served as the lead vocals, then Steve was the expert drummer making things run smoothly and on time. And the distinctive turns of phrase, the uniquely Williardian ways he chose to narrate the game and sprinkle bits of himself and his personality into the proceedings… read the following words, close your eyes, and tell me you don't hear it in Steve's distinctive tone and tenor, maybe during a game against Murray State, maybe in a tense battle between league-leaders.
And the head coach… Mr. Dave LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS
Who's ready… for basketball???
For one… and the bonus
Chris Horton at the line to attempt the three [pause] point [pause] play.
Todd Babington… for THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TERRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYY TAYYYYYYYYLOOOOORRRRR!!!
If you heard it in full Williard voice, congratulations on being a longtime and die-hard Governor fan. If you didn't, I'm genuinely sorry because you missed a heck of a show.
Steve had a knack for the moment that transcended the pregame time sheet. He knew when to run quickly through the visiting teams' starting lineup to hit the right start time and when he had time to slow roll so fans and the band could heckle a little longer and boo a little louder. He could fill the space with his voice on nights when the barn was empty (think Christmas break) but could still make himself heard over the din of a full house in a big moment (again, think of a visit from those people to the north). And yet, he had the sense and feel of when to rein himself in and let the crowd noise carry and when to let loose with a patented Steve Williard Howl.
The thing about an incredible voice like Steve's is in its consistency. It's not that he never missed a call or always had his A-game—he's mortal, he would deal with the occasional throat tickle and common cold just like the rest of us. But he was always there, in his seat, serving his role as part of the soundtrack for an afternoon football game or an evening of basketball. He was steady, loyal, and always ready to put a unique twist on the game.
Steve Williard was an original behind the mic, as distinctive and thorough as you'll find in a role designed to be a supporting piece to the game day experience, yet one that can be a distracting trainwreck in the wrong hands. It was never about him; it was about doing the job to the best of his ability each time he had the opportunity to sit behind the mic. The best to ever do it, Steve Williard now enjoys enshrinement into the APSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
