SID HELP: Making Yourself Known

A few months ago, on April 19, 2018, I wrote a blog post titled "SID HELP: Helping Coaches, Help Their Teams." The objective of the post was to aimed to find solutions to problems instead of venting frustrations on social media sites like Facebook because that doesn't do anyone any good.

Well the SID Help Center of Climbing The Brick Wall is back. I will aim to have one of these posts out each Friday afternoon for consultation.

Today's topic I'm bringing to the table is: "Making Yourself Known."

There are all too many times when we find ourselves at a game for one of our primary sports and the P.A. announcer walks right passed you and heads to your coach to get pronunciations. It's frustrating, because that is one of the sole reasons you're on there - so the coach doesn't have to answer those questions.

But in fairness to the public address announcer, probably isn't aware that you're traveling with the team - especially if you're new or he's a new P.A. announcer. It is your job to make yourself known the public address announcer and broadcasters, who you are and ask if they are good with numbers.

Here's the catch, though, even if they say they are good with names, you go over the roster anyway. It never hurts to be too cautious. Coaches will thank you for it in the end. There is nothing more frustrating to a coaching staff than a broadcaster and, especially, P.A. announcer pronouncing their student-athlete's name wrong.

If you ever read Dale Carnegie's book "How To Win Friends and Influence People," you remember the chapter in the book that touched upon a person's name being "the sweetest thing." People like hearing their name, and if their name is mispronounced all the time it is disheartening. This goes for coaches, not just student-athletes, as well.

Yes, there will be times when the P.A. announcer or broadcaster will slip up, but it is your job to get up from your seat and, kindly, remind them of the appropriate pronunciation. It will go along way with building the relationship between you, your coaches and student-athletes. Remember we are in the business for the student-athletes.

That's all for today folks. See ya next Friday.