How a computer analyst became an HISD sports announcer

In this week’s I am HISD, which features district students, graduates, employees, and other team members, computer analyst Wesley White talks about how he became an announcer for HISD football games, what he does to make teams feel special, and why he has been a fixture at so many high school football games.

You’re a computer analyst for Texas Children’s Hospital during the day, but by night, you’re an announcer for HISD’s football games at the Delmar-Tusa stadium. How did that happen?

I think it was a prompt from God. A friend of mine would come with me to see ball games sometimes, and as we sat there watching, I’d be announcing the games myself. And she said, “Man, you need to be up there, because he’s messing up.”

Some announcers have an exciting voice and some just speak in a monotone. But she said, “You ought to call them up and see.” So I did. I talked to Mike Truelove and he said, “Yeah, we could use someone.” But I originally thought I’d be the announcer at Delmar and he said, “No, I need you next door at Dyer.” Then an opportunity came up a few years later at Delmar. I’ve been a member of the National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers for about four years now.

Did you always harbor a secret desire to be a sports announcer?

No. But when Vince Young was still at Madison High School, Houston Community College used to broadcast HISD football games. Charles Glass was over that program, and I used to be with that crew. One time, the regular announcer was late and they needed someone to fill in. So I said, “I’ll do it.” And I grabbed the script and announced the cheerleaders. And I thought, “Man, this was fun.” After that, (the regular announcer) showed up and did the rest of the game, but that seed was planted in my brain.

I understand you’ve been a pretty regular fixture at football games played at HISD facilities. What has prompted your interest all these years?

I was a former running back and linebacker myself for Smiley High School (formerly a North Forest ISD campus), and I played varsity football as a freshman all the way through. So I used to go to all the different stadiums and watch Aldine and Katy, when their programs were doing well. And when Yates High School went all the way to state in 1992, I drove all the way to Austin to see that.

Wow. That sounds pretty dedicated. Do you still follow any of the teams?

No. I don’t have the time. I am one of the busiest football announcers in Houston, because HISD is one of the only districts in the state to have 3A, 4A, and 5A football teams. To schedule all of those, they have to play Thursday, Friday, and Saturday games. One time, I even announced a triple header when a big storm was coming through and a game that was supposed to be in Brenham got moved back to Houston.

How many games would you say you cover on a yearly basis?

About 30 games, all football. I take it pretty seriously. I want to make it seem like it’s the teams’ home as much as possible, so I’ll download their anthems, or record duck sounds if the South Houston Ducks are playing. I’m not just an announcer. The music they hear before the games and during time-outs is also coming from me, so every year I try to check out all the popular songs that the kids like to hear. I include music that goes back to the 1960s or 70s, all the way up to rap tunes from today.

If you know a graduate, student, employee, or other member of Team HISD who should be featured here, please email us at info@houstonisd.org.