The Loveliest Village

Professor Ric Smith speaks to a classroom full of students Monday through Friday, but every Saturday, his baritone voice speaks to over 87,000 football fans.

After Carl Stephens, former voice of Auburn football for 30 years, announced his retirement, Smith took the opportunity to follow in Stephens’ footsteps. “I had announced baseball for five years, so I knew them and they knew me. When Carl retired, they (athletics marketing) asked if I would be interested in interviewing for the position. Of course, I said yes. And things worked out� Smith says.

After graduating from the University of South Carolina in 1982, Smith traveled back home to Alabama to attend graduate school at Auburn. It was here when he got interested in announcing. “I first got involved with radio when I was student at Auburn with WEGL,â€? he says. “I started doing radio play-by-play for football and baseball in the mid 80’s.â€?

Preparation for college-level football games requires more work than one would think. Smith usually shows up to the press box 2 ½-3 hours before each game. “Preparation is keyâ€? he says. “I usually receive the script late Thursday or Friday. I then print it in a format that’s easy for me to read. When announcing students or others during presentations, I make sure I know how to pronounce the names. I’ll often call people and ask them to say their names for me. I’ll read through all of the announcements a few times before the game. I also do research on the players for the other teams to look for challenging namesâ€? he adds.

For many students, the transition from Stephens to Smith was almost unnoticeable. Jennifer Henig, and Auburn alumni says, “When I was in town for our first game, I could tell a small difference in their voices, but Ric did such a great job that any doubts I had about Carl Stephens leaving immediately diminished.�

Along with alumni, current students also feel that Smith couldn’t be doing any better. “I really didn’t think we had a new announcer when I heard his voice, there is a small enough difference to distinguish the two, but it’s the same feel in the stadium as a year ago� says Jarrod McLauchlin, a junior.

Although announcing for Auburn baseball helped Smith get his foot in the door for his current position, he will no longer be announcing the baseball games this year. With his busy schedule, he is leaving that door open for someone else, but thanks much of his success and confidence to that job. “At a certain level, announcing is announcing, but there are some pretty big differences between football and baseball. Football is much more fast-paced because I have to announce every play – who carried the ball, what happened, who made the tackle. Baseball primarily involves announcing the batter and making announcements between innings. I will miss it, but love where I am right now.�

There are perks to the job, Smith explains, but during the game, it is all business. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people. I have a pretty good view and I get free food in the press box. I usually don’t eat though – at least not very much. Maybe just a hotdog, but the white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies they have up there are greatâ€? he says with a smile.

Smith is the first to admit that he is not trying to replace an Auburn legend such as Stephens, yet he is “filling in.â€? “For anyone who has been involved in announcing this is a dream job. Auburn football PA is one of the best announcing jobs in Americaâ€? he says proudly. “I’m absolutely thrilled that I have the chance to follow Carl Stephens and continue the tradition and standard he established.â€?

(photos courtesy of Ric Smith)

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